Belgium-born Liah Davids awaits Team SA call ahead of LA 2028

The 12-year-old is one of Belgium’s top-ranked gymnasts, but, even with her dual citizenship, confirmed she was working towards representing South Africa at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. 

With her father having managed 23 caps for the senior national team, including being part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad on home soil, Liah explained why she’s eagerly awaiting a call-up to Team SA as the road to LA begins.

"I want to do this because my dad also represented South Africa. If I am going to win a medal, I’d rather do it for South Africa than for Belgium," explained the juvenile. 

"Yes, it will be different [competing], but in the end it’s not about the crowd. It is nice to have that, but at the end of the day that’s not what it’s about. You are doing this for yourself. It is your dream to work hard and achieve it." 

The budding gymnast, who lived in the Mother City for a short period while Davids was playing for Ajax Cape Town, has already collected a few accolades.

Liah was crowned Flemish champion in 2022 and 2023, while this year she was selected to represent Belgium in the European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Italy. 

She admitted her journey, even at a young age, wasn’t always easy at first, especially when her physique was being questioned. 

“Belgium felt I was more American-size or build. But, of course, I proved otherwise. It’s like what Kaylia Nemour did – France said she was not ready to represent them yet, but she proved them wrong by winning a gold medal for Algeria at the Olympics in Paris," she noted.

"This is also one of the reasons why I decided I want to represent South Africa, and [because] my dad did well for Bafana." 

Liah is now set to meet IIse Roets-Pelser, coach of SA Olympian Caitlin Rooskrantz, in Serbia later this year, and that could be part of paving the way for her to be with Team SA in America at the next global event.  

In addition, she will continue training at the Topsport Center in Gent, Belgium, where Liah is among the best talents and enjoying the programme with the prospects of one day becoming an Olympian.

READ: Retired Tatjana Smith ready to roll up her sleeves for Team SA