Gymnast, 12, twists herself into mindbending shapes – and travels the world performing tricks
Incredible… it’s the real-life Elastigirl! Gymnast, 12, twists herself into mindbending shapes – and travels the world performing tricks
- Liberty Barros, 12, from Slough, Berks. can bend her body into unusual positions
- Her hyperflexible talents have seen her travel across the world with circuses
- Discovered she could over backwards with ease while watching Rihanna video
Performing a handstand shows gymnastic promise – but being able to fold yourself in two really is an incredible feat.
Liberty Barros, 12, can do just that – and twist herself into other mindbending shapes – thanks to her hyperflexible talents.
They have earned her the nickname Elastigirl, after the character in Disney and Pixar’s films The Incredibles.
Liberty Barros, 12, can do just that – and twist herself into other mindbending shapes – thanks to her hyperflexible talents
The young girl’s talents They have earned her the nickname Elastigirl, after the character in Disney and Pixar’s films The Incredibles
Only two years ago Liberty was struggling to keep up in gymnastics, dismayed that she couldn’t perform a cartwheel.
Then one day she was watching pop star Rihanna’s music video for her hit Umbrella and tried to mimic the moves. Suddenly she found she could bend over backwards with ease.
She has since travelled the world with youth circuses, visiting Thailand, Malaysia, Portugal and Hollywood, to show off her gymnastic ability.
‘It was such a strange feeling at first,’ Liberty said, recalling when she discovered her talent. ‘I’ve seen contortionists being pulled and twisted into position and it looks scary.’
Only two years ago Liberty (left) was struggling to keep up in gymnastics, dismayed that she couldn’t perform a cartwheel before she began travelling the world with youth circuses – earning her nickname Elastigirl (animated charater pictured right)
Her parents Raam, 32, and Elisette, 33, from Slough, Berkshire, were stunned by their daughter’s natural flexibility.
Her father, who is now her manager too, said: ‘It’s mad what she can do – doctors don’t know why she can do this. It’s something for a child to be so unique. Liberty really is special.’
In The Incredibles and its sequel, Elastigirl is the superhero name for mother-of-three Helen Parr, who comes out of retirement to use her flexible powers for the good of humankind. The character is voiced by Holly Hunter.
