Josh Mann can't imagine his life without gymnastics, and now he will get to show the rest of the world his passion for the sport.
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The leading Dubbo gymnast is bound for Dornbirn, Austria, where he will be take part in the 16th edition of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) World Gymnaestrada.
Gymnaestrada is the world's largest, non-competitive, general gymnastics exhibition, run by FIG.
The event occurs only every four years, catering for participants of all ages, and all abilities.
Country teams from all over the world will come together for the phenomenon.
The 2019 edition, titled "come together, show me your colours", has already reached a new landmark with a record 62 nations set to take part in the seven-day event from July 7 in Dornbirn.
"I don't see myself not doing gymnastics," Mann said.
"I don't know where I would be without it, gymnastics or just the gym is my happy place.
"It's therapeutic to me."
Gymnastics performance teams consist of ten or more people, and Mann, who is part of the Umina Beach team, will feature in the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as participating in other performances and workshops throughout the week.
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Mann, who couldn't keep training as hard as he had been due to work commitments, currently coaches the younger gymnastic boys at the Dubbo PCYC.
But his passion for performing still exists, as it has for more than a decade.
"I was about seven, I think when I started," he said.
"My brother wanted to do gymnastics, I wanted to do dancing.
"My mother kind of convinced me to do gymnastics instead.
"Then my brother got into the men's squad here at the Dubbo PCYC, and I just wanted to beat him, get above it, and also just join him, so I ended up getting there."
There's no doubts Josh performs better than his brother now.
"Three years later he stopped," Mann laughed when discussing his brother's gymnastics.
For Mann, his trip to Austria will be his first overseas experience.
"It's bound to be a lot of fun for me," he said.
Mann is set to go alone with other teammates, but according to him, other participants will be bringing family members.
"I'm a bit nervous and excited," he said.
Mann says competitive gymnastics takes a lot of hard work and dedication.
"You can ask anyone here [at Dubbo PCYC], they have seen a lot of sweat and tears from me," he said.
"But Gymnaestrada is gym for all, it's for everyone of any skill, of all levels and all abilities."
