LITTLE Alice Bradshaw's vaulting ambition has taken her to the national finals of a gymnastic competition - and success could one day pave the way for a place in the Olympics.
The nine-year-old Sheffield girl came fourth in the regional gymnastics finals in Halifax - after performances on the asymmetric bars, vaulting, floor and beam - earning her a place representing Yorkshire in the nationals in November.
Delighted mum Jan said success came after Alice almost gave up the sport following a tough first session with the Yorkshire regional squad last year.
Jan, of Carter Lodge Rise, Hackenthorpe, said: "I coaxed her round and now she's more into her gymnastics than ever. I can't stop crying, I keep thinking about her competition success all the time.
"I would love to see her go on to compete in the Olympics. It would cost me a fortune in lessons but I would have to because it means so much to her."
Alice, who attends Birley Spa primary school, trains 16 hours a week at the Workshop Gymnastics Club on Little London Road and Jan said watching was a nerve-wracking business.
"Alice is a little nervous on the beam, she's always falling off, but although she's only had a few grazes my heart is in my mouth.
"Her favourite piece is vaulting, she's very fast on the approach but landing is so difficult to perfect. It looks so easy in the Olympics.
"I would love to take her to see the Games when they come to London and it may lead to her training in earnest for 2016.
"At first she wasn't into the idea of competition but in her first one, aged six, after doing the vault she thought it was so good she completed all the disciplines.
"Since then she's never looked back."
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