Polarbear, the only child I know whose gone well in competitive gymnastics started at 9-10 and was at a state level in 1-2 years, and moved on to another sport because her club couldn't really do more for/with her but other clubs would have required about twice as much time per week (which she clearly didn't need to spend to reach her level). Actual physical giftedness v. Quite good and working for hours a week over many years = she blew past her peers who had trained for years longer and for many more hours per week.
