While most teenagers spend their time with friends, going to parties and learning how to parallel park, one Tauranga teen has another goal.
Reece Cobb is New Zealand's number-one gymnast and has her eyes firmly set on Paris 2024 — but it's been a tough road so far.
Cobb began gymnastics at the age of six when her parents took her along to lessons because of her energetic nature. It's been her passion ever since.
Cobb's getting ready for the three World Cups in February and March, as well as the Oceania Championships in May. Each of those competitions counts towards her potentially qualifying for the Olympics. Cobb said that's a decision that'll be made next year and is up to the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
With such a huge goal ahead, her life is a cycle of eating, sleeping, training, school work and training.
Cobb trains for four hours each day after school, and on weekends. She also travels to Auckland to use a foam pit because her gym in Tauranga doesn't have one.
It's hard work but Cobb said she loves it. "It's definitely scary on the beam, but when I achieve my goals and learn new skills, it's definitely a confidence boost."
Cobb said being the number one gymnast in New Zealand "feels amazing", but it hasn't happened overnight. In fact, until last year she'd never won a national title.
Her coach Ebony Matenga said: "Reece had been trying for a title for eight years and most of the time, didn't even come runner-up. She'd come fourth, tenth, eleventh, but what it shows is her resilience and dedication."
Life outside the gym has also been a challenge for Cobb — her mother, Miranda, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Cobb found out a couple of days before going to Paris to compete and was heartbroken.
"I went over there [Paris] and showed Mum I can just achieve my goal and make her happy, and know that she's supported back in New Zealand."
Her mother had surgery and is recovering well.
Cobb's focus at the moment is finding the money to get to competitions, which costs around $30,000 to $50,000 a year. She's set up a Givelittle page to help.
"I just wanted to get Reece to Belgium to get her to the World Championships safely and for her to know I was going to be okay. It was a very challenging time for her emotionally, but she pushed through.
"Gymnasts are warriors," Miranda said.
Meeting American gymnast Simone Biles was a particular highlight for Cobb.
"I walked into the training centre and saw her [Biles] like five metres away from me and I fangirled so hard. But it was so amazing seeing her, finally in real life."
All things going to plan, Cobb will see Biles next year in Paris, too.
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