Mammule, a star on the rise
She was forced to take a break last year due to a bone cyst in her left arm.
Artistic Gymnast Mammule Rankoe has worked herself back to the top of her game after a year’s layoff. She was forced to take a break last year due to a bone cyst in her left arm, which affected her performance. Mammule was in top form, travelling around the world and showcasing her talent when the bone cyst developed.
She started gymnastics at the Johannesburg Gymnastics Centre in 2008 and after just one month she won her first gold medal. She was also bumped up from level 1 to level 6 performance and did not look back.
At 10 years old, she travelled to England to represent her club at the Rose Bowl competition. In 2013 Mammule started to peak, finishing second overall at the African Championship. She also won a gold medal and finished second overall when she competed in Serbia. She capped off that year by being crowned junior champion at the South African Gymnastics Championships in Durban.
“It was inexplicable. I don’t know how butterflies got into my stomach but that’s what I had,” she said.
The following year was even better for Mammule as her performance at the African Championship ensured her qualification to compete at the Youth Olympic Games in China. She was ranked in 33rd position among gymnasts from 52 countries.
“China is one of the top countries in gymnastics so to be able to participate there was amazing. I feel that South African gymnasts can get to their level as we are not too far,” she said.
Then last year her rising star came to a screeching halt after she started complaining of a sore arm. Mammule first had physiotherapy but it had little effect. Then X-rays showed she had a cyst and she went into rehab until February this year.
“It was tough because I was so used to being active. But luckily I found solace in other sporting activities that I am good at, such as 100m sprint, hurdles and relay. This helped me get my mind off gymnastics and still keep active enough,” she said.
Mammule will now be heading to Germany to represent South Africa at the Leverkusen Gymnastics Championships.
She will be working hard to make up for missed opportunities during her layoff. She is also working towards her long-term goal of participating in the 2020 Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
“I also want to win the senior South African national title and emulate my idol Gabriella Douglas,” she said.
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