Dominique’s the Mann!

Heads turn as Dominique Mann glides into the restaurant. She’s wearing black lycra leggings and a track top, her auburn hair pulled back with a simple pink band. It’s the tall, lithe frame, sparkling eyes and ready smile which are so enchanting.

She’s an enthusiastic 25-year-old gymnast, and is the current African champion, a five-times national champion and a serious contender in the international arena.

At 13, Dominque Mann begged her mom to enrol her at the Durban North Gymnastics Club, and at 18 she was spotted by an aerobics gymnastics coach who suggested that because of her height, she would be perfect for the discipline – a combination of gymnastics, dancing and aerobics.

It was, in fact, the ideal fit for Dominique: so much so that she’s qualified for the Springbok team every year since then. “The absolute highlight of my career was getting my South African colours for the first time in 2004. Wearing the tracksuit is an honour.”

And she’s had plenty of those including being three-times African champion; KZN Premier Sportswoman of the Year 2007; winning a bronze medal in the World Games qualifying event in Taiwan in 2008; senior ambassador for SA Aerobics Gymnastics and SA team captain. Next on her agenda is cracking the top eight in the French Open in May.

Competition

For months before a competition, Dominique trains for five hours a day Monday to Friday and for about two hours on a Saturday. A week before a competition, she says, “We take it easy so we can be at our peak on competition day, getting a really good sleep the night before the big day.” Each routine is just one minute 30 seconds and competitors have only one chance to make that 90 seconds work.

Dominique is in the unusual position where she funds her “day job” with her after-hours professional dance career – which is how she landed the job as a Sharkette – and her modelling.

She loves dancing and modelling, but nothing beats scraping back her hair, putting on her Proudly South African-inspired leotard and hitting the floor for 90 seconds of unbridled energy and exceptional skill. In May she’ll be doing it to a remixed version of Shakira’s Time for Africa. Here’s holding thumbs that it will be Dominique’s time, too.

Fact file
Birthday: June 28, 1985
Parents: Mom Michelle (a former dancer) and dad Malcolm (was a professional soccer player) – both very supportive!
Siblings: Three sisters, one brother (all sporty and very close)
Boyfriend: Rory Kockott (former Sharks and now Lions rugby player)
Favourite things: Chocolate, a new pair of gym training shoes, high heels, silver hoop earrings and the movie, The Notebook
Favourite restaurant: Mama Luciana
Music: I love house music and I’m a closet Britney Spears fan
Best places: Home and I’m a sucker for theme parks
Hates being: Injured and far away from my family