Twirl girl

HEBA EL-BOURINI of the Shooting Club will represent Egypt at an international rhythmic gymnastics championship in the Bulgarian town of Turgovishte from 20 to 23 June.

El-Bourini, eight, will be competing in the under-10 age category against gymnasts from 25 nations, mainly from Europe, in the free and the rope events. Algeria, South Africa and Egypt are the only African countries taking part in the competition which is restricted to winners of national championships in their respective countries.

El-Bourini will be accompanied by the club's head coach Russian Elena Lazarava who has been coaching El-Bourini twice a day for the past several weeks in preparation.

El-Bourini's mother Bossaina, who is accompanying her daughter to Bulgaria, says the Modern English School in which her daughter goes to played an important part in Heba's preparation for the four-day championship. "Despite the examinations, they were very understanding and allowed her to leave school immediately after sitting for her exams in order to practice. She didn't have to wait until the end of the school day. We really appreciate that."

"The school has always been a major factor behind Heba's success", added Bossaina. She also said that following the championship, her daughter will attend a private and intensive two-week training cession in Sofia under the supervision of her previous coach Emilia Komova of Bulgaria, the first to recognise and begin honing El-Bourini's skills.