Greater Brisbane‘s 75 gymnastic superstars
Gymnasts across southeast Queensland spend countless hours training, with many Olympic hopefuls pushing through body pain to be the best. See 70 up and coming stars who range in age from four to 24.
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Flips, kicks and tricks - gymnastics takes an incredible amount of dedication and talent to succeed.
In this comprehensive southeast Queensland list, we feature 70 up and coming stars.
From those who excel in floor routines to the parallel bars, still ring, vault or pommel horse we have covered every aspect, and every age.
Many have competed in state, national and international completions while others are well on their way to being recognised.
Below we feature, in no particular order, 70 superstars aged as young as 4 right up to 24.
JUNIORS (Under 18)
Trey Morales, 15, Redland City Gymsports
Trey Morales, 15, at the Australian Trampoline Sports Championships.
Trey was sidelined by injury last year but bounced back to become a National Champion.
The Club’s Head Coach Melanie Tonks said the teen produced four great passes to win the level six men’s double mini trampoline event.
“This was a boy who only started the sport in 2021 and then spent nearly six months out with a fractured heel,” Ms Tonks said.
Matthew Davies, 16, Brisbane Grammar School
Matthew Davies, 16, was the Australian national Champion for the Junior International Division.
He is pushing for selection in the Australian team to attend the Junior World Championship in 2023 and work his way into the Senior Division. After that it will open up to the World Championships, Comm Games and future Olympics.
Alistair Hoole, 17, Brisbane Grammar School
Alistair Hoole, 17, is one of Australia’s top Junior International Gymnasts.
Currently a student at BGS he is hoping to be selected into the Junior World Championship team in 2023 and then push into the Senior International squad and aim for the Olympics.
Thea-Jayne Phillips, 6, Australiasian Gymnastics Academy
Thea-Jayne Phillips, 6, always works hard and wants to learn new skills.
Always wanting to better her old skills to be able to achieve her dream of one day going to the Olympics.
She is a level two competitive gymnast who strives to do the best she can for herself.
Wynter Niven, 10, Australiasian Gymnastics Academy
Wynter Niven, 10, said: I have been doing gymnastics for six years, five of those years I have been in the competition team.
“I recently went to regionals and came second on vault.
“I am very excited for my first State competition, where I hope to do well on vault and beam.”
Eesha Mishra, 10, Australisasian Gymnastics Academy
Eesha Mishra’s, 10, first achievement was to make it to the comp team which she got after three trials.
She was accepted as part of the Level Three team during her fourth trial and since then participated in many competitions as Level Three and Level Four gymnast.
Her goal is to represent Australia in the World Championship and in the Olympic Games.
Eden Boatwright, 7, Australiasian Gymnastics Academy
Eden Boatwright, 7, has worked really hard to join the AGDA stars and her hard work has paid off as she’s now training at level two at 7.
Each competition Eden tries harder and harder to be confident and to do her best.
Eden loves that the teachers encourage her at training and at competitions and she loves competing against herself to achieve her goals.
Sophie Morris, 7, Australiasian Gymnastics Academy
Sophie Morris, 7, began teaching herself gymnastics in the backyard at the age of four and begged the academy for more than a year to take her to lessons.
She was selected to join the AGDA Stars at age 6 and can’t wait to compete.
She hopes to one day compete at an Olympics.
Lily Springall, 12, Australiasian Gymnastics Academy
Lily Springall, 12, has been doing gymnastics for four years.
She has competed in six individual competitions this year and came third overall at the level five open competition, securing a place in the Sunshine Coast regional team.
Her goal is to make the national team and go to the Olympics.
Penni McConnell, 6, Australiasian Gymnastics Academy
Penni McConnell, 6, is a high achiever and has been moving up in groups super fast the short time she‘s been with the academy.
Before she started in gymnastics she watched hours of the Olympics and when she found out it was to be hosted in Brisbane in 2032 she insisted she start in order to become a gymnastics Olympian.
Kacey Page, 7, Australasian Gymnastics Academy
Kacey Page, 7, said: “I am 7 years old and have been doing gymnastics for a year.
“I am in the level two competitive team and have competed in two competitions. I am working really hard on my biggest dream which is to go to the Olympics.”
Ryan Goakes, 14 and Chelsea Blue, 9, Robertson Gymnastics Academy
Chelsea, 9, and Ryan, 14, compete together in the ‘Mixed Pair’ division in Acrobatic Gymnastics.
This is the pair’s third year of competing together.
They recently went to the Queensland State Championships where they were crowned State Champions in the ’Stage two’ level.
Ryan also competed in the ‘Trampoline Queensland Levels’ in the Level six Male Tumbling division where he was also crowned the winner.
Ryan and Chelsea both hope to represent Australia one day.
Luca Richmond, 9, Robertson Gymnastics Academy
Luca, 9, competes in the gymnastics discipline of Tumbling.
At the ‘2022 QLD Levels’ competition, Luca was crowned Champion in the Level four Male division.
Luca’s goal is simply to “be the best that I can be”.
Maxine MacKenzie, 15, Premier Gymnastics Gymnasts
Maxine Mackenzie, 15, is a member of the silver medal winning Level 10 Team at National Champions.
Placed fifth all around in level 10 (14-16 years) at National Championships in 2022.
Selected for the Australian Levels Team to compete at AIS in December.
Jorja Gunther, 17, Premier Gymnastics Gymnasts
Jorja Gunther, 17, national level 10(17 years and over) champion at 2022 National Championships.
National level 10 Vault, Bars and Floor Champion.
Member of the silver medal winning Level 10 Team at National Champions.
Selected for the Australian Levels Team to compete at AIS in December.
Jorja is currently interviewing for colleges in America - most recently with Eastern Michigan University for College Gymnastics - she hopes to receive a sporting scholarship to combine her studies with gymnastics.
Miranda Kelly, 13, Premier Gymnastics Gymnasts
Miranda Kelly, 13, level seven All Around Border Challenge Champion. This is the highest level of individual competition for seven gymnasts.
Member of Gold medal winning Level seven team at Border Challenge. Member of the Gold medal winning Level seven State Clubs Team.
Skye McKibben, 14, Premier Gymnastics Gymnasts
Skye McKibben, 14, qualified to attend the Aerobic Gymnastics National Squad Camp, as a result of Skye‘s performance at this camp she was then selected to attend her first international Aerobic competition in Czech Republic, in April this year.
Skye then competed at the 2022 Australian Championships where she qualified for the 2022 - 2024 Aerobic Gymnastics Development Squad.
Selection onto the National Development Squad provides Skye with the potential to represent Australia at various development camps and international events throughout 2022 - 2024.
Avery Pocock, 10, YMCA Stafford
Avery Pocock, 10, started gymnastics in the Kindergym program and proceed through to recreational boys program and now is in the competitive group.
This year he has taken out placings and overall placings at many competitions this year.
Avery would like to reach the highest level possible, along with one day representing Queensland at Nationals.
Daisy, 9, YMCA Stafford
Daisy, 9, been doing Rhythmic Gymnastics for one year, but has been participating in artistic gymnastics for a few years already.
2022 was her first time competing in rhythmic gymnastics and she did well placing seventh overall at the Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior Queensland Cup competition in the level three Open division.
Cian Quinn-Connor, 14, YMCA Stafford
Cian Quinn-Connor, 14, started gymnastics this year with no background experience.
He has competed at a few competitions and has placed in his age division and level.
He is excited to compete at his first State Championships this year with only starting the sport six months before.
He would like to represent Queensland one day at nationals.
Ella Livaditis, 9, YMCA Stafford
Ella Livaditis, 9, started in gymnastics when she was six-years-old.
Ella has taken out placings at competitions this year and her long term goal is to represent Australia at the Olympics.
Holly Livermore, 12, YMCA Stafford
Holly Livermore, 12, started gymnastics when she was two in the kinder gym programs and worked her way through the recreational levels to now be in the competitive program.
Her long term goal is to go to nationals and represent Queensland.
This year she has been podium finishing with second place at the recent Regional Championships.
Indiana Brown, 7, Jazzy Gymnast
Indiana Brown is a natural gymnast, flexible and strong with beautifully-presented skills.
The seven-year-old has been participating in gymnastics at Jazzy Gymnast for six months.
Some of the skills he has already achieved are a one handed cartwheel, bend to bridge, kick over from bridge and the splits.
Indy’s goal is to do an aerial cartwheel and a back handspring.
Layla Burt, 6, Jazzy Gymnast
Layla Burt is strong, intelligent and driven - and one of Jazzy Gymnast’s most promising students.
In just one year of gymnastics she has soared passed her peers and has a bright future ahead.
Aged just six, Layla is well on her way to mastering her forward and backward walkovers.
Layla hopes to be able to do a round off back handspring and an aerial cartwheel in the near future.
Charlotte Harrison, 10, Jazzy Gymnast
Charlotte Harrison is an up and coming gymnast with a bright future.
At 10-years-old, she recently achieved her front aerial.
Some of Charlotte’s other skills include forward and backward walkovers, the splits, aerial cartwheels and a round off back handspring.
Her goal is to master her round off back tuck by the end of the year.
Hannah Michiles, 12, Jazzy Gymnast
Hannah Michiels has been a Jazzy Gymnast star for many years.
She started gymnastics at the age of 5 and, now 12, she is passionate about gymnastics and practices relentlessly.
She has a broad range of diverse skills, many of which are her own creations.
Hannah loves using her extreme flexibility, strength and courage to create unique eye catching moves.
She plans to use her gymnastics skills when she represents her school in dance eisteddfods.
Kaitlyn Molloy, 10, Jazzy Gymnast
Kaitlyn Molloy puts in an exceptional amount of work both in the gym and at home.
She understands the importance of developing correct techniques and is consistently striving to perform each skill to perfection.
The bubbly 10-year-old is a crowd favourite in performances, and recently achieved a standing back tuck and her round off back handspring back tuck.
The next skill she would like to master is an onodi.
Lisa Gardiner, 17 and Mia Krone, 14, Brisbane City Gymnastics Club
Lisa Gardiner, 17 and Mia Krone, 14, journey together began in 2019 at Brisbane City Gymnastics Club, both aspiring with the same dream to one day represent Australia at the Acrobatic World Championships.
They started competing together in Junior International 12-18 category and have been achieving the following: 2021 Named on the Queensland State Team, 2021 named on the Acrobatic Gymnastics National Squad, 2021 Australian National Championships multiple podium placings, 2021 Gymnastics Queensland Junior International Acrobats of the year and at 2022 successfully competed at their first international competition.
Lisa and Mia are now preparing to compete in Junior International 13-19 category and have their sights set on representing Australia at the 2024 World Acrobatic Championships in Israel.
Bianka Cvjeticanin, 11, Ritmix Gymnastics Club
Bianka Cvjeticanin, 11 won second place overall at the Queensland Junior State Championships in level six junior, and won first place in ribbon.
“My goal is to do well at the upcoming National Clubs Carnivals on the Gold Coast,” she said.
Nina Crossman, 10, Eleanor Sawyer, 11, Sophie Cameron, 10 and Ruby Stok, 10, Ritmix Gymnastics Club
Nina Crossman, 10, Eleanor Sawyer, 11, Sophie Cameron, 10 and Ruby Stok 10: “We love doing rhythmic gymnastics groups.
“This year we won first place in Category 1 Ball Group at the Queensland State Junior Championships.
“Our goal is to have fun and do well at the upcoming National Clubs Carnival on the Gold Coast 19-24 September.”
Mia Swift, 11, Ritmix Gymnastics Club
Mia Swift, 11: “I am 11 years and recently became overall level six junior Queensland State Champion. “I placed first in Freehand. I am currently a member of a junior international group.”
Mia’s goal is to represent Queensland and Australia at the Australian National Championships and Junior World Championships in groups.
Brianne Parker, 13, Ritmix Gymnastics Club
Brianna Parker, 13, is a level six senior rhythmic gymnast.
“This year I placed first for Freehand at the Queensland Junior State Championships, first for Ribbon and third for Ball at the Junior Challenge.
“My goal is to become a high performance gymnast.”
Kiara Coburn, 12, Ritmix Gymnastics Club
Kiara Coburn, 12, started artistic gymnastics at age five.
“I changed to rhythmic gymnastics at age eight. I am a Level six Senior Queensland State Champion in ribbon for 2022.
She recently joined a junior international group with a goal to represent Queensland and Australia at next year’s Nationals and Junior World Championships in groups.
Ava Roderick, 8, Delta North Lakes
Ava Roderick, 8, was the Brisbane North Regional Champion All-Around in Level three Under 8 and also placed second on Vault and Floor as well as first on Bars and Beam at this event.
Ava puts everything into her training sessions and one day hopes to represent Australia.
Bella Martin, 10, Delta Kedron
Bella Martin, 10, recently achieved 10 presses in a row on beam and is now working on bettering her technique in her giants on bars.
Bella hopes to progress to level seven next year and maybe one day compete at the Olympics.
Portia Debeer, 6, Delta Clayfield
Portia Debeer, 6, has been in the gym since a toddler and can‘t get enough.
She would spend every day of the week in the gym if she could and wants to be just like her idol, Georgia Godwin.
Ally Pilgrim, 4, Delta North Lakes
Ally Pilgrim, 4, loves her Junior GymKids Groovers classes with Miss Suzie.
When Ally grows up she would like to “fly to the city and go to the Olympics like Georgia Godwin”.
Ally loves to cartwheel everywhere she goes and her new favourite thing to do at Gymnastics is a pullover on bars.
Mila Woolnough, 7, Delta Clayfield
Mila Woolnough, 7, has been in the gym since she was born and loves gymnastics as much as the rest of her family.
She is determined to beat her older sister Koko (level five gymnast) in everything she does and has recently achieved her press to handstand.
Nicole McNeil, 12, Delta Kedron
Nicole McNeil, 12, is a powerhouse gymnast showing impressive skill across all four apparatuses and recently claimed the silver medal at the Queensland Club Championships.
Nicole has goals of becoming at State Champion and possibly competing at the Olympic Games one day.
Anika Sands, 7, Delta North Lakes
Anika Sands, 7, has only been doing gymnastics for a short period of time however, has shown incredible growth and development since commencing her gymnastics journey.
With Georgia Godwin as her idol, Anika one day hopes to be just like her and represent Australia at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
Vera Chung, 11, Delta Clayfield
Vera Chung, 11, currently competes in level four and was proud to come third all around at the recent Brisbane North Regionals competition.
Vera loves all things gymnastics and is excited to be now competing for her school in the up and coming Andrews Cup Gymnastics competition.
Maddie Chin, 8, Delta Windsor
Maddie Chin, 8, has just recently started competitive gymnastics and was really nervous about her first competition in May and almost didn‘t nominate.
After talking with her coaches Maddie decided to compete and went on to have a wonderfully positive experience, with the added bonus for first place Overall.
India Colombi, 16, Delta Kedron
India Colombi, 16, moved away from her family in 2020 to join Delta Gymnastics and pursue her elite career. India is a Senior International gymnast, a member of the Paris 2024 National Squad and has big dreams of representing the green and gold in the near future.
India will be trialling for a spot on the World Championships team next week.
Nina Ichikawa, 6, Delta St Hilda’s
Nina Ichikawa, 6, has recently joined the Delta Team and has shown great focus on improving her quality in her skills.
Her most recent achievement was her toe shoot on bars and she is very excited to be getting so close to her Press to Handstand.
Nina loves to compete and hopes to one day win a gold medal in a competition.
Erin Brunello, 12, Delta Clayfield
Erin Brunello, 12, is a level five competitive gymnast whose shown recent success at many of the competitions in 2022, specifically placing fifth at the Brisbane North Regionals event.
Erin was also selected to be a part of the Brisbane North Regional Team in 2021.
Louise Knight, 6, Delta St Hilda’s
Louise Knight’s, 6, goal is to go to the Commonwealth Games and Olympics just like her hero Georgia Godwin. Louise has just achieved her back walkover on floor and her new record of 17 Leg Lifts.
Eilana Cullen, 11, Delta Kedron
Eilana Cullen, 11, dreams of going to the Olympics one day, she is working hard in training to be the best she can be.
Eliana was recently named the L6 Under Regional Champion All-Around and earned herself a spot on the Regional Team.
Eliana has a busy competition schedule with the upcoming Junior State Titles, Regional Challenge and National Clubs competition.
Maja Olsen, 9, Delta Windsor
Maja Olsen, 9, was recently named Overall Regional Champion at Level four Under 9 during the Brisbane North Regional Championships.
Maja is incredibly passionate about gymnastics, pushes herself at every session and has big goals to go all the way!
Faith Rose, 10, Delta North Lakes
Faith Rose, 10, is a very fast learner, applies herself well to training and has an amazing body awareness.
Faith was selected for the 2022 State Clubs team and recently placed second overall at the Brisbane North Regional Championships.
Faith has also qualified for her first Junior State Titles and competes at the end of this month.
Scarlett Thomasson, 7, and Kiara Bennison, 6, Delta St Hilda’s
Scarlett Thomasson, 7 started in the Aspire competition program this year and has progressed very quickly through the levels with her determination and brilliant work ethic.
Scarlett has just achieved her back hip circle, toeshoot and swing pullover on bars.
Scarlett absolutely loves training with her teammates and hopes to one day represent Australia.
Kiara Bennison, 6, wants to be just like Georgia Godwin and go to the Olympics.
She hopes to win a Gold medal and be the best she can be.
Kiara most recently achieved her back handspring on the floor and her press to handstand.
Dylan Aziz, 7, Delta Clayfield
Dylan Aziz, 7, started gymnastics in 2022 and dived straight in.
Training twice per week, Dylan can‘t wait to start competing and always works hard to achieve new skills.
Olive Frost, 7, Delta Windsor
Olive Frost, 7, is a little pocket rocket that always puts her very best foot forward in every training session.
Olive recently completed a strength and flexibility test in the gym and blew her coaches away with her attitude and progress.
Olive would be in the gym every day if she could and is looking forward to many more years of gymnastics ahead of her.
Ella McCormack, 10, Delta St Hilda’s
Ella McCormack’s, 10, biggest achievement this year is being part of the winning Delta Gymnastics Level five team at State Club Championships and being selected onto the Brisbane North Regional Team.
Her goals are to get a kip cast to handstand and go to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Tahnee Ayre, 13, Delta North Lakes
Tahnee Ayre, 13, is competing at level seven.
Tahnee is hard working, always striving to do her best in the gym and was first Overall at the Maroochy Beach Invitational competition earlier this year.
Tahnee was recently selected to be a part of the Delta Gymnastics Level eight National Clubs Team in compete later this month.
Sofia Hemmings, 12, Aspire Gymnastics Academy
Sofia Hemmings, 12, is now training towards 2023 Australian National Championships where she will hope to get selected for 2023 Junior World Championships.
Future goals include World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games.
- 2022 QLD State Champion 3x Gold medalist, 1x Silver medalist and 1x Bronze medalist
- 2022 SA State Champion 4x Gold medallist and 1x Silver medalist
- 2022 Australian National Champions 4th place All Around with 2x Silver medalist in finals
Mei Reghenzani, 11, Aspire Gymnastics Academy
Mei Reghenzani, 11, is now training towards 2023 Australian National Championships
Future goals World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games (Brisbane 2032).
- 2022 QLD Challenge events Gold medalist
- 2022 QLD State Champion 4x Gold medalist
- 2022 SA State Champion 5x Gold medallist
- 2022 Runner Up Australian National Champion 4x Silver medalist and 1x Gold medalist
Polina Leonova, 13, Aspire Gymnastics Academy
Polina is now training towards 2023 Australian National Championships where she will hope to get selected for 2023 Junior World Championships
Future goals World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games.
- 2022 QLD Challenge events Gold medalist
- 2022 SA State Champion 5x Gold medallist
- 2022 Runner Up Australian National Champion 2x Silver medalist and 1x Bronze medalist
Myroslava Mozghova, 11, Aspire Gymnastics Academy
Myroslava is now training towards 2023 Australian National Championships
Future goals World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games (Brisbane 2032).
- 2022 Runner up QLD State Champion 2x Gold medalist and 2x Silver medalist
- 2022 Runner up SA State Champion 3x Silver medallist and 2x Bronze medalist
- 2022 Australian National Championships fifth place All Around with 1x Silver medalist
SENIORS (18+)
Charlotte Johnstone, 18, Redland City Gymsports
Charlotte Johnstone, 18 moved up to the Senior women’s division this year and will represent Australia on Trampoline at the World Championships in November.
At the Australian Trampoline Sports Championships May 12-16 at Carrara, she placed an unexpected third in women’s trampoline, beating all the national team bar two.
Charlotte also won silver in Junior U22 double mini and came sixth in level seven tumbling.
The National Clubs Carnival on the Gold Coast, September 15-18, will also be a qualifying opportunity for Charlotte to make the World Championships.
Jack Riek, 23, Brisbane Grammar School
Jack Riek, 23, has competed for Australia at both the junior and senior level.
He was recently part of the Olympic selection and injured himself through the Commonwealth Games selection process.
He is currently working back form injury and hoping to push into the World Championships team in 2023 as part of the process heading into Paris 2024.
Vedant Sawant, 19, Brisbane Grammar School
Vedant Sawant, 19, was this year’s Senior International Pommel champion.
Following this he had his first competitions for Australia at the recent World Challenge Cups held in Croatia and Slovenia.
He competes from September 24-25 in the next series of World Challenge Cups in France, Hungary and Turkey as part of his development towards pushing for selection for the Paris Olympics.
Chantal Clarkson, 19, YMCA Stafford
Chantal Clarkson, 19, was a gymnast in her younger years, but decided to make a comeback as an adult.
At this years Queensland Club Championships she came 1st in her Masters Division.
Her goal is to stay active and continue to compete at any Masters competitions that come up.
Lidiia Lakovleva, 19, Aspire Gymnastics Academy
Lidiia Lakovleva, 19, is now training towards 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
- 2018 Youth Olympics Bonze medalist
- 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games
- 2021 Oceania Championships Gold medalist
- 2021 Australian National Champion Gold medalist
- 2022 Runner Up Australian National Champion 2x Gold medalist and 3x Silver medalist in finals
- 2022 Commonwealth Games Silver medalist
GROUPS
Georgina Badenhorst, 20, Pippa Cox, 12, Damiana Gogova, 20, Robertson Gymnastics Academy
Georgina Badenhorst (left), 20, Pippa Cox (middle), 12 and Damiana Gogova (right), 20, competed in the ‘Women’s Group’ division in Acrobatic Gymnastics.
They recently competed at the Queensland State Championships where they were crowned the State Champions in Level eight.
After the National Clubs Carnival, the trio will be switching their focus to the ’2023 Vegas Acro Cup’ competition.
The competition is taking place in April and will see athletes from many different countries. Their goal is to make the finals at this competition.
Ainsley Barker, 18, Laura Gosling, 21, Ashleigh Law, 24, Tahlya Smith, 18, Charlotte Wong, 22, Premier Gymnastics Gymnasts
The Premier Gymnastics Gymnasts rhythmic team: Ainsley Barker, 18, Laura Gosling, 21, Ashleigh Law, 24, Tahlya Smith, 18, Charlotte Wong, 22.
“We are so excited to perform at our first World Championships in Bulgaria next week”!
“On top of becoming the national champions this year, our biggest achievement to date would definitely be qualifying for the ribbon+ball final at the World Challenge Cup Pamplona earlier this year.
“Our long term goal is to be selected to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics!”
Georgia Godwin, 24, Delta Kedron
Georgia Godwin, 24, is a two - time Commonwealth Games team member, Tokyo Olympian and six - time Australian National Champion.
Georgia now has eight Commonwealth Games career medals to her name, equalling Australia‘s best and most recently was named the Individual All-Around Commonwealth Games Champion, also securing the Gold medal on Vault and Silver on Bars and Beam at this event.
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