For most aspiring gymnasts, the goal is the Olympics. It is a sport where athletes begin almost as soon as they can walk and the training is vigorous, which is why most gymnasts stick with it for life.
Isabel Chu is not most gymnasts, though.
In her latest competition, Isabel dominated the competition at the New Jersey State Championships at the Wildwood Convention Center. The competition brought more than 600 athletes from around the state to compete for the title. The gymnasts were divided into groups based on their age and skill level. Isabel competed in the Level 7, 11-year old bracket.
“I didn’t think I was going to win,” Isabel said. “There were a lot of really good gymnasts in the competition, and I didn’t know if I could do it.”
Isabel did win and she did it without a shadow of a doubt. The competition included four events, including the balance beam, uneven bars, vault and the floor. Isabel scored a 9.750 in the vault, a 9.725 in the uneven bars, a 9.775 in the balance beam and a 9.725 in the floor. Her combined score of 38.975 set a new state record for Level 7. Her score also tied the all around score at any New Jersey State Championship Meet for all levels.
“It really feels great,” Isabel said. “I’m always nervous until I start, and then I just do it.”
Isabel competes for Will-Moor Gymnastics and has been doing gymnastics since age 4, when her mother Christina signed her up.
“As a kid, Isabel was always playing gymnastics. When other little girls were playing doctor or school or house, Isabel was doing gymnastics,” Christina said. “So, we decided to sign her up and here we are now.”
Isabel has dedicated herself to gymnastics and the results show. Her score at the New Jersey State Championships has set a precedent for other gymnasts in the state and at Will-Moor Gymnastics. Her all around score is the highest by any Will-Moor gymnast of any level to date.
With accolades such as these and records being set, it would seem like the sky is the limit. Isabel, however, has different plans.
“I will continue to do gymnastics for a few more years, probably until high school,” Isabel said. “I don’t want to go to the Olympics, though. There is just too much training involved.”
Isabel’s mom shares this sentiment and will not force her to do anything she doesn’t want to do.
“We will just take it year by year,” she said. “We don’t push her to do it, and when she decides she doesn’t want to do it anymore, that will be it.”
Even when or if Isabel decides to hang it up, her records will always be there.
