Kensington born, Gian-Quen Isaacs, is making waves in the ice skating world. At the tender age of 13, the young ice skating star is a national gold medal champion.
Isaacs entered into the South African National Championships in 2014 and has since been a dominant competitor, accumulating many a gold medal. Specifically in 2015, at the age of 10, she took gold in the Juvenile section.
In 2016, she continued to soar and progressed to the Pre-Novice section, taking home silver.
In 2017, she took gold in the same section, as well as at the Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal Inter Provincial Championships.
Isaacs is an inspiration to many because of her undying spirit to rise above her circumstances. “Just because there’s no snow in the Cape Flats, doesn’t mean I can’t be South Africa’s best ice skater,” Isaacs said to Beautiful News South Africa.
Competing internationally for the first time saw Isaacs taking 13th place in the ‘Basic- Novice A’ section at the 2017 Golden Bear competition in Croatia.
In December 2017, she attended the Santa Claus Cup in Budapest and won the Figure Skating ‘Basic Novice’ section gold medal, making her the only South African figure skater to win an international gold medal that year.
Her success is a result of daily strenuous training and hours upon hours of practice both on and off the ice. She is not afraid to fall and get back up again and will not let anything get in her way. Her determination, mental and physical strength will truly see her thrive in the figure skating world.
“I just launched my #makeachamp campaign to fund my Figure Skating goal. Check it out, contribute, and spread the word,” said Isaacs.
“When I first started skating, I was extremely nervous but excited,” Isaacs says. Today, the support of her fellow South African’s has helped her push past her nerves. “What I love about representing my country would be how proud people are of you going out there,” Isaacs said.
Locals can donate here: www.makeachamp.com/gian-quenisaacs
Picture: Facebook