A YOUNG athlete has become the youngest winner of a gymnastics contest for a decade.

Seven-year-old Roxanne-Nnika Sochon, from Cranbourne, competed in the British Gymnastics women’s artistic gymnastics event in Hamble, winning the event on Sunday, 25 February.

Competing in a number of events which make up the grade six competition, the young star performed routines on the bar, floor and the vault as a part of the category in which she competed.

In claiming the award, she became the youngest winner in the past 10 years, with the competition being open to children between seven and nine years-old.

Roxanne-Nnika’s mother, Annika Moore, said: “I nearly had a heart attack watching her, but it was absolutely beautiful to see her in action.

“As she went off to perform, she looked at me and said: ‘I’m going to win’ and then went on to win it.

“It was a very special day and I’m very proud of her. It was a lovely day, in which her and her competing friends from Basingstoke all walked away with distinctions.

“She was so happy to win and was very proud of herself, but took the win with dignity and was congratulating her fellow competitors after the event, and was humble about the whole thing.”

The Fairfields School student fought off competition from all over Hampshire to win the award, taking the crown away from Jersey, which has held the title for the past few years.

Roxanne-Nnika got into the sport early on.

Annika added: “She started gymnastics training as soon as she could walk. Ever since the Basingstoke Gymnastics Club started taking students younger, she went along.

“She soon joined the development squad, and then moved up to the artistic squad after that.”

When asked what’s next for Basingstoke’s latest gymnastics star, the dream is to go to the top, according to Annika.

She added: “If she has her own way, then she will be going all the way to the top and competing in the Olympics.

“Basingstoke Gymnastics Club is very good, and she is training there every other night, as often as she can.”