THE BRILLIANCE OF BRUNA

Our Year 6 has a secret treasure – a phenomenal young gymnast named Bruna P. who has achieved something many athletes can only dream of their entire lives – she has been awarded her professional (national talent) status by the Croatian Olympic Committee within her appropriate age group! This is a huge honour, as well as another challenge for Bruna as she has to keep justifying it with excellent results (which we are sure she will). Even though Bruna is loved and celebrated by all her friends at Bright Horizons, she rarely lets anyone know of her achievements and prefers modesty and hard work above all. However, Bright Zone is not without its magic and we were able to persuade Bruna to give us an interview so that you can all celebrate her success the way we do!

1)      Dear Bruna, welcome to our little oasis called Bright Zone! Could you tell us a little bit more about yourself as an athlete? You have recently been awarded national talent status by the Croatian Olympic Committee. It’s for gymnastics, right? What do you do in gymnastics?

In gymnastics, we have four disciplines that I all do. One of them is balance beam, then uneven bars, floor exercise, and a vaulting horse. Actually, I practise a lot, and if you really want to be good at gymnastics, you have to practise a lot.  We also do contortioning, so that we can gain strength and do all the things we do.

2)      When did you first start doing gymnastics? Has it always been your chosen sport or was there a moment when you just decided on it?

In school I did tennis at first. Before I even tried doing an audition for a drama or a movie, but it didn't go well because I was still too small. Then I went to gymnastics. Fun fact – I did not like to tie my hair for trainings, so I did not want to tie it and I did not want to go to gymnastics. However, when I tried again in a new club, which is my club now – GK Dubrava. After a while, they moved me to a higher program and I started training there. I realised like it was still really hard for me, so I gave it a little pause. When I came back the third time, that was it. And now I'm here, at this spot! I achieved so much and it's going pretty well for now.

3)      How much time do you spend training every day?

Well, I have trainings every week – every day, except for Sunday.  Basically, I would say it is three and a half hours of training from half past five to nine every day. On Saturdays, I have four hours from eight to twelve, and actually, that is really exhausting. Also, this week we have a competition so I hope it goes well and we have to practice a lot.

4)      What’s the most difficult thing for you - organising your life or a particular element in your sport?

Actually, school is not that much of a problem because I have training at 5:30. It's just that maybe sometimes it's hard for me to do some things in gymnastics because sometimes I don't really know how to be brave. But everybody tells us to be resilient. And I have lots of support, so that's it.

5)      Who has been your biggest support in balancing sports and school?

The people who support me actually are my teachers and my parents. Well, mostly my parents because they have to go off of their work just to take me to my training. I'm really happy because they're really trying their best. Also I must say that the teachers are also very supportive and helpful.  Sometimes, when I have training earlier, they let me go out of school, so I can do my training and then I keep up the work in school. Also, if I don't have time to finish my homework or finish a project, I can just do it on my training – my trainer gives me a break, like half an hour so I can just finish my homework.

6)      Is there any time for fun? What do you like to do for fun?

During the day I mostly spend time in school with my friends, talking. At home, I immediately have to go to training because there's not really much time. But at training I also have really good friends, so I talk with them, but it's more than just training. On Sundays or Saturdays after training, I invite a friend to come over and we like to talk or go for a walk, or somewhere so we can talk it all out. That's what I like to do for fun.

7)      What has been the biggest challenge to overcome and what are you most proud of in gymnastics?

When I was smaller, there was a problem with my category. I mean, we have programs and when I was category C, so my friend and I were supposed to go to B. We were actually trying really hard, but it was so hard for me because I was not really brave enough at that time, so I simply couldn’t do some things, some elements. But I tried and tried… I was, honestly, really sad. Because I really wanted to go in B because it's a very, very high level. Eventually, I just completed the year in C. Next year, I was practising harder than ever before and I actually managed to get into category B. I was so happy. Now I'm still proud of everything and all my achievements. And yeah, that I've been so supported on my way, I train every day and I didn't give up. I have learnt so much. It takes patience and persistence.

8)      Is there a gymnast you look up to in life? Why?

Well, I really want to go to the Olympics because… not just so I can receive the money or just be there, but I want to have the feeling of just being there and competing. I really look up to Simone Biles. She is one of the most professional gymnasts in the world. She's been to the Olympics a few times, although she also had some problems. She actually has ADHD. You see I did a presentation about her for school, and that really surprised me because I never knew that. How can she overcome all that and be so great at gymnastics? I want to be like her, because she's just great and she never gives up. And she raises the bar all the time for other athletes.

9)      What would be your message to anyone who would like to take up gymnastics?

My message to everyone who would like to do gymnastics is actually to never give up. Believe me, I really understand that it's a very hard sport. But if you love it… When I had my problems, my parents used to say that I should not give up, that I could do it, and they encouraged me. So I didn't give up that third time trying. I would also say to everyone to listen to your coaches, because they always know the best for you and you can trust them. Just be brave and do what you can. Stay in your level until you make sure you can go to another level. And be patient, never force something.

10)  What are your plans for the future? What’s the dream?

Actually, I’m also interested in being an actor, because many people also say that I'm amazing at acting. So I really enjoy it and I’d like to try it when I'm still young – to be an actor and a professional gymnast. I train gymnastics and I take drama classes. I know that it will be hard for me to do both at once, but I'll somehow manage. And I also, naturally, the dream is to go to the Olympics. And it’s not about the medal, but I just want to be there and feel that Olympic atmosphere. So that's it.

Thank you very much for your time. Keep being our role model and making dreams come true.

Photos kindly provided by Bruna’s parents