Teenager flying high with top circus opportunity

A TALLAGHT teenager has been delighting audiences across the country in recent months as an aerialist with Circus Gerbola, which tours all around Ireland, reports Aideen O’Flaherty.

Danii Batkin (15) made the switch to gymnastics at seven years old, after dabbling in dance. Her teachers found that she had a talent for it, and she has developed into a skilled gymnast.

Danii’s mam, Nicola Batkin, told The Echo: “She did baby ballet here and there, and did lyrical dancing and when she was winning a lot of things, then I decided she had something special.”

It was at this point that Danii, who lives in De Selby in Citywest, began training in the Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics Club in Adamstown, Lucan.

She trained under Olympic gymnast Kristina Rangelova while in the gymnastics club and finessed her skills as an aerialist.

“That was when she really started to excel,” explained Nicola. “She was training four days a week.

“Danii is a very focused person. She hates sitting in and doing nothing . . . she’s a horse-rider in Rathfarnham and competes on her own pony named Elvis.”

The Kingswood Community College student stopped training in gymnastics when her coach, Kristina Rangelova, returned to her native Bulgaria at the beginning of the pandemic.

However, Danii’s passion for the sport has never waned and by chance, she ended up performing as part of Circus Gerbola as an aerialist in April 2021.

She impressed Mikey and Tara Gerbola from Circus Gerbola and has performed in their circus ever since.

“Danii excelled in the aerial, and it was during Covid that I ended up talking to a girl who owned Circus Gerbola,” said Nicola.

“Danii was invited to perform at the circus once as a treat, but has been there ever since because she loves it so much.

“She goes when she can, so obviously during the weekends when she’s in school and, if they’re in Dublin, she goes during the evening too.

“The circus has really high hopes for her, and they really support her.

“The Gerbolas have been incredibly supportive to her and let her come anytime she wants – she is now a regular on the show with her impressive aerial moves.

“She has been there two years now receiving amazing experience in the world of performance at such a young age.

“She hopes to keep learning and growing and is on her way to being one of Ireland’s greatest aerialists.

“She loves going and it is the highlight of her week. She has made many good friends and loves all of the cast of the show.

“She just loves it there. When I watch her perform, I just think, ‘Oh my god Danii, you’ve come so far’.”

At present, Danii, who is a past pupil of St Mary’s NS in Tallaght, is primarily performing outside of Dublin as part of the circus but is excited for when Circus Gerbola will come to Dublin next month.

As for her hopes for Danii’s future, Nicola said: “I just want her to be happy.

“If this is what she loves to do, then we as a family will keep supporting her like we always do.”

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