In South Africa, Star Mapeka is the continent's top trampolinist and has already exceeded all expectations in the 7 years he has been competing in the sport. The talented gymnast has grown up in extreme poverty without parents and has managed to defy the odds stacked against him to spring to greater heights. CGTN's Sias du Plessis has more.

The Olympic standard trampoline stands 1.5m off the ground and when at maximum height from a jump, the trampolinist is roughly 6-7 meters above the springy contraption, so it is not a sport for anyone who suffers from a fear of heights, unless you're Star Mapeka who despite suffering from acrophobia hasn't allowed it to stop him from becoming continental champion.

STAR MAPEKA AFRICAN TRAMPOLINE CHAMPION "I don't really know how I feel when I am up there, but what I can tell is, when you jump you get excited, for example when you take a baby and put the baby on top of the bed, the first thing they do is jumping so that is how I feel, you get more excited, feel like I want to do this again."

The slimly built student possesses all the required skills to excel in the sport that his head coach Tiaan van der Walt believes appeals to those seeking a little more than the traditional sporting experience.

TIAAN VAN DER WALT MAPEKA'S COACH "It is a bit of a crazy sport, everybody over here is slight adrenalin junkies, although I must say slight adrenalin junkies and I think it is because of a combination of height, intense physical training that you need to do and then also the moves that are done. Star (Mapeka) is a fantastic talent and apart from a fantastic talent, he has the correct personality as well, he is a very hard worker and is diligent."

The 21-year-old commutes over 120kms each day to get to training and despite the financial and logistical challenges, he manages to produce the medal-winning performances at competitions and as his mentor explains each routine demands intense concentration.

LUCKY RADEBE TRAMPOLINE COACH "Basically when you climb up you've got 30 seconds to do your routine and it is about how focused you are when you on that trampoline, if you lose your focus you are off completely."

SIAS DU PLESSIS PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA "That was my attempt, poor attempt at a 'dead man's drop' but I will leave it to the professionals like Star Mapeka, they spend hours on these trampolines honing their skills so that one day they can realise a dream which is to compete at the Olympic Games."

STAR MAPEKA AFRICAN TRAMPOLINE CHAMPION "That will mean a lot to me, like a lot to me, I get excited, too excited that I don't even sleep at night, instead of sleeping I dream about trampoline that is what it is."

Trampoline is the embodiment of the Olympic motto, faster, higher, stronger and demands dedication and focus as well as somewhat of a crazy streak, but it is that thrill that drives athletes like Star Mapeka, to reach new heights and strive for even greater ones in Tokyo in 2020, Sias du Plessis, CGTN, Pretoria.