Anon

So I want to start gymnastics and I want to know what sort of level I can get up to. Is it possible to compete when starting at this late age? I'm 14, and I know I'm probably more mature than an average 14-year-old (there's reasons for this). I already know it's far too late to do the Olympics and I understand that already but I want to know what level I could still get up to.

Although I've never actually done gymnastics properly before (about 3 sessions when I was 3 but that was it), I've had a lot of connections with it. My sister's been doing it since she was about 4 and she's at a high level; I've been to numerous competitions with her and helped her with learning routines.. so I have her help which I guess is a huge advantage, as well as the advantage that I've already watched a lot of gym so know quite a lot about it. I also stretch every night, therefore I am already quite flexible and am able to do rolls, cartwheels, handstands, headstands and splits and am already really fit. I have also had a go at basic apparatus (vault, floor, trampolines) at school. I also have real determination... I understand it's a high skill sport and it requires a lot of time and I am prepared to train as much as a need at a good club. I don't have much fear either which I know can be a problem as my sister has a fear with beam and it holds her back; if I fall off, I will get back on as I've had horse-riding experiences that have proved it. I am also quite strong in my upper body due to horses.

The only problem is I don't have good balance, which I am working on with yoga etc.

I'm about 5'2" and about 8 stone.

Do you think it's too late to start doing it seriously at this age? How far can I go?

Thanks!