Athlete, Coach

English

Mandy's School of Tumbling and Trampoline: Gqeberha, RSA

Mandy Zoonekynd [national, mother], RSA

Her mother Mandy Zoonekynd was an elite artistic gymnast and springboard diver. She later set up Mandy's School of Tumbling and Trampoline, where she coaches Bianca, among others. Her older brothers Damon Budler and Lee Budler have both competed in trampolining. (brandsouthafrica.com, 19 May 2017; LinkedIn profile, 2016)

In July 2017 she was involved in a car accident that left her with a punctured lung and two broken ribs. She was out of action for five months. (fig-gymnastics.com, 14 Nov 2017)

In 2017 she was troubled by a back injury while competing. (sascoc.co.za, 20 Feb 2017)

In December 2015 she broke her hand doing a backwards somersault off an exercise ball. (brandsouthafrica.com, 19 May 2017)

She suffered a lower back injury in August 2014. She continued to have problems with her back after competing at the 2014 Gym Games in Bellville, South Africa, in early October 2014. She decided to take a three-week break after those games to rest before the 2014 World Championships in Daytona Beach, FL, United States of America. (sascoc.co.za, 15 Oct 2014; gymmedia.de, 09 Nov 2014)

She suffered a thigh injury during the 2013 World Games in Cali, Colombia. (sascoc.co.za, 15 Oct 2014)

She began trampolining at age three. "I spent most of my childhood upside down."

She spent a lot of time in her mother's gym as a child and consequently began to get involved in all forms of gymnastics.

To compete at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, and to join Cirque du Soleil as a performer after her trampolining career finishes. (LinkedIn profile, 2016; gymnasten.dk, 26 Nov 2015)

She practises for three hours a day.

She was flag bearer for South Africa for the opening ceremony at the 2013 World Games in Cali, Colombia. (sascoc.co.za, 18 Jul 2013)

CAR CRASH
In July 2017 she was involved in a car crash after the vehicle she was driving careered off the road and spun round several times. She was flung out of the window and suffered a punctured lung and two broken ribs. "I should have been dead." (fig-gymnastics.com, 14 Nov 2017)

OCCUPATION
She coaches a group of 10 children at her mother's trampolining club for three hours a week. She also works as a bartender on some weekends, and has worked as a horse riding instructor. (brandsouthafrica.com, 19 May 2017)

TRAMPOLINE FIRST
She was the first female athlete to complete a triple back somersault during competition, in the double mini trampoline event at the 2013 World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. "After I messed up my first routine, we decided, well, I decided that I would go all out." (fig-gymnastics.com, 05 Nov 2015)

LUCKY ESCAPE
In January 2015 her family home in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, caught fire and was completely destroyed despite the efforts of the local fire department. "Our home of 19 years burnt down to the ground but I'm so so happy my family [mum, dad, cat, three dogs and two horses] are all safe which is the most important thing. Life still goes on - we start up new today. They say everything happens for a reason." (sascoc.co.za, 21 Jan 2015)