OLYMPIC gymnast Emma Nedov captivated a strong crowd on Friday night at the 2024 Community Bank Merbein & District 97.9 Triple M Northern Mallee Sports Star Awards, as the event continues to build back after its COVID hiatus.

Nearly 300 guests were enthralled hearing about the Melbourne-based gymnast's career, which has seen her overcome a raft of challenges including virus, injuries and the pandemic interruptions.