Coached by Delia Halmu at the L'Etoile D'or High Performance Centre,
Leigh Marning has proved herself to be one of the best rhythmic gymnasts ever produced by Australia. Previously overshadowed by some of her teammates, her recent competition results are a sure indication that she has finally emerged as an individual to contend with.
Once national champion in 1994 and 1995, Marning won that title again in 1998 and recently added three individual Commonwealth medals to her collection. She has developed in skills and style over the years, showing a great deal of creativity and flexibility in her movements. In 1998, her most memorable performance is her hoop routine, decorated with unusual choreography and accompanied by the music of Chick Corea. This routine won her a silver at the national championships and a bronze at the Commonwealth Games that year.
Courageous Performance: At the 1996 national championships, Marning's clubs routine both amazed and devastated the judges and audience. In her first leap line where she was meant to catch the club during her last leap, the club hit her head and cut her face. She continued to perform with blood running down the side of her face, and managed to finish the routine before running off the floor for first aid.
Unusual movements: In her hoop routine in 1996, Marning performed a rare combination of leaps under a hoop throw - split leap on right leg, split leap on left leg, split leap on right leg. This spectacular combination won over the audience and the judges, and it was her only routine that outscored Kasumi Takahashi in the all-around competition).
Trademark skill: a double ring pivot, now followed by a full-twisting jump.
Written by M. Haslam & M. Tay
pictures from the Australian Gymnastic Federation
