Only two on the floor but contest tough | Bay of Plenty Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Bay of Plenty

Competition is fierce in any sport, but when there's only two competitors, a win is in realistic reach and the pressure is on.

Tauranga's Nadine Lake and Hamilton's Rachel Hamer, are the only two entrants in the gym sports' open junior rhythmic gymnastics event in this week's New Zealand Community Trust Aims Games.

Prior to beginning yesterday's competition, the girls completed a warm-up side by side, stealing glances as they leaped, stretched, and pirouetted.

After completing three routines each, Rachel said the competition from Nadine was "tough." Both seasoned competitors, the girls compete in a higher grade than most of the rhythmic gymnasts in their age group, explaining why numbers in their field are down to just two for the Aims Games.

The girls competed in a preliminary contest at Argos Gym in Judea, due to yesterday's Aims Games schedule being dedicated to team sports.

The contest was a practice run for the two girls, who will compete for medals in the individual gym sports section tomorrow.

Peachgrove Intermediate student Rachel has been a rhythmic gymnast for four years, while Bethlehem College student Nadine, has been doing it for five.

Thirteen-year-old Nadine said she loved the feminine side of the sport, which requires fitness and agility, while wearing spectacular costumes, and occasionally lots of glitter. "It's a good combination of the arty sort of things, and dancing. It is very girly."