Profile:

Name: Dominique Mann
Date of birth: 28 June 1985
Highest honour/achievement: SA/African champion; 3rd at World Games qualifying.
Favourite food: Pasta
Ambitions: To win the SA International competition again this year
Sporting heroes: Legendary French aerobic gymnast Gregory Alcan.
Hobbies: Running, dancing, modelling

Biography:

There are so many adjectives that suit Dominique Mann that it is tough to choose one! Athletic, beautiful, vivacious, humble ... all of them apply equally to an outstanding gymnast who is a role model for so many in her sport.

In the world of Aerobic Gymnastics, Dominique reigns supreme, having been unbeaten in South Africa since 2005.

The KwaZulu-Natal Sportswoman of the Year in 2007, Dominique went on to be selected as her sport's ambassador in 2008 and 2009.

The current South African and African champion, Dominique was ranked third at the World Games qualifying event in Taiwan in 2008, the same year that she first won the African Championships.

Dominique became involved in the sport as a youngster after someone had noticed her efforts on a trampoline and encouraged her to go to a gymnastics centre. And that was the start of a great sporting career.

Someone who lives life to the full and puts 100 percent into everything she does, Dominique burns off plenty of calories and loves to replenish her energy levels with plenty of pasta. Favourite food is thus "anything off the menu at Mama Lucianos in Glenashley," she laughs.

And there is a laugh, a smile, a joke ... regularly, but there is also a very serious side to her.

"During my sporting career I have experienced many highlights and unforgettable memories that will stay close to my heart forever," says Dominique.

"Two particular memories come to mind. Firstly, receiving my Protea colors and wearing my SA tracksuit for the first time was a feeling I cannot explain, and every time I wear the Green, White and Gold it feels just as good as the first time.

"Secondly, being selected as the captain for the SA team touring France last year was a position fulfilled with humility and pride and I’ll cherish this achievement for years to come."

Her main aim for 2011 is to win the South African international event, and she's working hard towards this goal. Given her enthusiasm and aptitude for tackling every goal with a "can do" attitude, we can look forward to seeing Dominique add to her growing list of honours this year.

We're just going to have to get a bigger thesaurus to find more adjectives to describe her!