Good word sets champ right

GYMNASTICS: A serious dose of nerves nearly destroyed Wade Hogan's quest to be named Queensland's Level Two Champion at the State Gymnastics titles last weekend, but a “serious discussion” with coach Gennadiy Tseryshenko put him on the road to victory.

Unplaced in his first event, the parallel bars, Wade fell and landed on his back as he warmed up on the high bars for the second discipline.

“I was very nervous because it was the states and it's the biggest comp,” Wade said.

“I was thinking I could do it, but I fell and landed on my back.”

It was then that Tseryshenko, known affectionately as “Mr G” stepped in.

“He said to remember tight body, pointy toes and a nice back-hip circle on the bars,” Wade said.

“I went out and got third and he gave me a high five when I was coming off the floor.”

The coach's sage words and signal of approval spurred the nine year old to first places on the parallel bars and in the floor routine, and another third on the pommel.

He was unplaced on the vaults, but was later announced first overall, and the new Level Two Champion.

Wade is looking forward to the new challenge of Level Three.

“I get to learn new things and do different routines, I can't wait,” he said.

Mr G has called voluntary training for every day this week, and Wade could not wait to get there.