Twenty-five girls in the United States recently qualified as level 10 gymnasts, meaning the top in the country.
Three of those athletes are from Tampa Bay.
- Pamela Tang, Linda Dillion, Kirsten Ng reach level 10 status
- Tang, Ng qualify for Elite Nationals
- Top eight could compete in 2020 Olympics
It's an art that's taken most of these gymnasts 10 years to perfect.
"Rhythmic gymnastics is pretty much a lot of dance mixed with acro, but our feet never leave the floor unless we're leaping," said gymnast Pamela Tang.
The gymnasts use the apparatus of their choice to make a beautiful one minute and 30 second piece, competing at the highest level.
Twenty-year-old Pamela Tang, 17-year-old Linda Dillon and 17-year-old Kristen Ng all recently went to level 10 national qualifiers and now hold the esteemed status.
"It was the greatest feeling in the world. Just being able to achieve your life goal is the greatest," Ng said.
They qualified while continuing their education. "It keeps you motivated because balancing school and gymnastics is really hard," Dillon said.
Out of the 25 who qualified for level 10 in the country, 20 will be going to Elite Nationals.
"At Elite Nationals the ultimate goal is to make finals, finals are the top 12, and then from finals they select the top eight, which is the US National Team," said head coach and owner of Tampa Bay Rhythmics.
"And they represent the United States internationally at all the big international competitions."
Tang and Ng will be going to the competition next week.
"Working all those hours and sweat and blood, I finally made my goal and anything after nationals next week will be just icing on the cake," said Tang.
Making the top eight means a chance to compete in the 2020 Olympics.
Tang and Ng are leaving Monday for the Elite Nationals that are being held in the Milwaukee.