Tamika shows anything is possible with triumph on the ice

Tamika van As

Tamika van As

Published Jun 10, 2021

Share

EIGHT-year-old Tamika van As broke barriers at the weekend, showing anything is possible, as she brought home the gold from the National Figure Skating Championships.

An elated Van As, from Bonteheuwe,l arrived at Cape Town International Airport on Wednesday, saying: As I stepped off the ice, I was relieved and happy. I was even happier with the score I received and I couldn’t have done it without support.

“I hope I am an inspiration to others in the communities and I hope they will strive to do great things as well. All things are possible through sacrifice, determination, hard work and commitment.

Recalling the moment before the big event, she said: “Before I went onto the ice, I felt a bit nervous because I was the youngest and it was a big competition for me. Because it was my first time out of Cape Town. I was a bit pressured because I wanted to do good.

“I wanted to make my parents and coach Vage and other coaches that helped me during this time proud. But when I stepped onto the ice I was more relaxed and focused because I was in my comfort zone. I performed my routine like I was supposed to and I was happy.”

Her father, table tennis coach Graham van As said: “She has been skating since she was about five. One day I was coaching a competition at Grand West and she saw the mini-ice rink, after she went on there she did not want to come off. We then enrolled her with the Black Panthers club. Now she wakes up every morning around 4 or 5 to train for 30 minutes before school. She’s very determined.”

Ward councillor Angus Mckenzie said she was an example of the rich talent the community had to offer.

Arts and Culture MEC, Anroux Marais congratulated the young star.

“I thank her for being a shining beacon of hope and inspiration to our communities and province at large, particularly during trying times in the sporting sector,” she said.

Related Topics: