Okay. I am all packed for the competition. I have my costume, hair stuff, touch-up makeup, phone, drink bottle, headphones. Ok I am all set. I am ready to go to the graceful comp. I hop in the car with mum in tow. Go to my coaches house to pick her up, then drive to the theatre.
So I can get into my little zone and start concentrating I put my headphones in and listen to some music to drown out everything else and I start thinking about nothing so my mind is clear. Occasionally I may tune into conversations but rarely.
We arrive at the theatre. I hug my mum a d head downstairs with my coach. I find a spot downstairs among the other girls I am competing with. I still listen to my music but say my hellos and goodlucks to people that go upstairs to perform. I get changed into my costume and then bring my music into the practice room and run through it. I then fix my makeup and head up with my coach.
A way that she calms me down is to just make me laugh a little and just says just remember anything that happens on that stage I am proud of you. The light goes green which means the person stage has just finished. I then walk near the door. And say well done to the person who walks through. She seemed a little shaken maybe she messed a bit of her routine. Anyway no time to think about it. I stand on the side of the stage in the wings. I do three deep breaths and then three lucky jumps. My coach gives me the sign to say the lighting man is ready. So i walk to my starting position and prepare.
On stage I don't really think I just do what comes naturally which is good. Mum says she doesn't breathe when I am performing. I always joke about it. Saying maybe you should because when I am in seniors my routines go up to 4 minutes long. I then finish my performance and this rush of excitement goes through my body. That was the best routine I have ever done. The lights fade to black and I run off the stage to my coach and she is tearing up. We both go in for a massive hug. The audience was silent for a second or two and then was clapping. I then went through the door and went downstairs grabbed my phone, drink bottle and shoes and raced upstairs to see my mum. She was crying in the theatre. I then walked through to the theatre and watched a few friends perform. As the section almost came to a close I walked back downstairs to get ready for presentations. I hugged my best friends and us 4 made our way up the stairs and onto the stage. We sat behind the curtains waiting for the judge to be ready. We were then told to get ready and to form a semi-circle in number order.
The curtains opened.
The judge said her thing about thanking everyone.
Then the announcer came on the microphone to say the placings.
Throughout this bit I keep saying my number. Today I am number 5.
"5th place on 85 points is..... competitor number 12." That was one of my best friends. So I clapped louder then I would someone else.
"4th place on 87 points...... is competitor number 9."
"3rd place on 88 points....... competitor number 10."
"2nd place on 91 points...... competitor number 7." This was another one of my friends so I clapped louder.
"And now congratulate the Graceful Girl Champion for the Intermediate 15/16 age section for 2016 who is on 98 points. Competitor number 5."
At first I didn't realise they had called my number. I then realised I had been called. I quickly went over to the judge to collect my sash, trophy and the cup. I went to the place getters line and then hugged and congratulated my friends and other place getters. Then my coach was called out to get her flowers and then she ran over to me and we gave each other a massive hug.
I started crying. Because all of my hard work over the last two months was leading to that point. I then picked up the Cup and trophy and walked back to my spot. The curtains closed and my 3 best friends ran up to me we all gave each other the biggest hug and my coach got a sneaky photo of it. Then we got the critiquing sheets and went for the place getters photo. I also got one with my friends, coach and a single shot one.
I then ran downstairs, got changed and grabbed my stuff and headed upstairs to see my mum. I gave her a massive hug and asked my coach to take a photo of me and her. Then on our way home. We stopped at maccas and got my usual.
This was the best night of my Calisthenics life so far. I have also forgot to mention this also means I can perform and compete my graceful at the Nationals competition because I am apart of the Nationals team this year.
