Photo inspires gymnast’s dream

Manning. JUNE NAVARRO

Leafing through the pages of a sports magazine, Leanne Marie Manning got mesmerized by a photo of a gymnast performing a delicate balancing act.

The Filipino-British lass from Talisay, Cebu, thought it would be fun to do the stunt herself.

Manning lived that dream yesterday—and more, scooping three gold medals in rhythmic gymnastics in the Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy Championships at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

“Nobody encouraged me. I just saw that picture last year and I decided right away that I wanted to become a gymnast,” said the 9-year-old Manning, who trained under coach Darlene Dela Pisa.

She ruled the rope and ball events and topped the individual all-around in the finals of the developmental level for participants aged 8 and 9 years.

The third grader from One World Montessori in Cebu City placed third in the freehand and was part of the silver-winning team event.

“We just support her with high hopes that she can excel,” said Ruth Manning, Leanne’s mother.

Manning scored 21.6 points in the all-around to defeat Eunice Tubongbanua of Bacolod City (20.5 pts).