World title push beckons Aylish

But Warrnambool teenager Aylish Auchettl is an exception.

She will head to the Netherlands later this week to compete in the World Aerobic Championships. 

Aylish will travel with her teammates from EKB Fitness and Aerobics to compete in the teams’ event. 

The 14-year-old was excitedly packing her bags when she spoke to The Standard and said she was looking forward to being among the best competitors in the world. 

“It’s very exciting, I’m looking forward to the whole experience of travelling overseas, and seeing the best in the world compete,” she said. 

The Warrnambool College student said she was doing up to 10  hours’ training a week in preparation for the championships.

“I do about one-and-a-half hours a day,” she said.

“Action Fitness sponsors the team and as part of that we get a membership, so we have been doing gym sessions and using the mirrors for choreography.”

Aylish said she took up aerobics in 2010 after being introduced to the sport at primary school. 

“We did it at Jamo (Jamieson Street Primary School in Warrnambool) and it was a lot of fun. 

“We went to a few competitions and I was amazed at how good some of the other people were. 

“I decided I wanted to give it a go, so I took it up at the start of year 7.

“My family went on exchange last year.

“So I had a year off and started doing gymnastics again. 

“I’d done gymnastics before, if I had’ve kept going with it this would be my 10th year. 

“Aerobics and gymnastics are very different in terms of competition, but they have some very similar aspects, mainly in jumps and they both complement each other with flexibility.” 

She said she returned to aerobics this year.

 jwoolley@standard.fairfax.com.au