Sisters are said to be best friends who do everything together but it is very seldom that two sisters are given the opportunity to both go abroad almost at the same time after excelling in their respective sports.
These are the dreams that have come true for Gelvan Park sisters, Aminah (16) and Aneesah (13) Lindoor, who have been selected to represent their country in Bulgaria and Argentina, respectively, in November.
Aminah, who is a gymnast who specialises in the trampoline, will be participating in the 29th FIG Trampoline Gymnastics World Age Group Competition in Sofia, Bulgaria. Her younger sister, Aneesah, who is both a gymnast and artistic swimmer, will be leaving for Buenos Aires at the end of October to participate in the Argentinian Open for Artistic Swimming.
Both trips are self-funded and cost almost R100 000 combined. “I am very excited to be able to go to Bulgaria and perform in both the Euro and double mini trampoline categories,” Aminah said.
When asked how she became interested in gymnastics in the first place, the Grade 11 Collegiate Girls’ High School learner said that it started when she first saw her friend do the trampoline in primary school.
“I thought it was cool and wanted to do it too and I did,” she said with a laugh.
“The prospect of going (to Europe) is exciting and it has really grown on me.”
Things started off a little differently for Aneesah, who already had a five-year background in artistic gymnastics when she opted for artistic swimming four years ago, after looking for a sport that she could make her own. When she started high school at Collegiate this year, she was ecstatic to find that they offered artistic swimming as a sport all year around.
“I used to always love swimming but got tired of aimlessly swimming laps. I love artistic swimming and it has become my only sport focus at school,” she said. “I was first told in August that I would be going and I was quite nervous but also excited.”
According to their mother, Zulfaa Lindoor, the sisters are dedicated sportswomen who always give their all.
“I am so proud of them. They are fearless in every way and never shy away from trying something new. They train six days a week for two to three hours per session.
Aminah had been selected for competitions in Namibia and Zimbabwe since 2017 and Aneesah not only won gold in Cape Town in 2018 with her duet performance but was also selected to participate in the FINA World Youth Artistic Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the US, that took place last month,” the proud mother elaborated.
“I actually think that they get their athleticism from me,” Lindoor said, laughing. “I used to do gymnastics in primary school. I really am so proud of how hard they have been working since a very young age.”
When asked what advice they have for other young sportswomen aiming for the stars, Aminah said that you should never give up on your dreams.
Adding to that, Aneesah said that working hard towards your dreams is the first step. “You need to keep on trying and build on your strength. Not everybody is good at everything so focus on what you’re good at.”
