TOP 7: Artistic roller skaters in Queensland revealed

Queensland’s seven hottest artistic roller skating talents have taken it up a notch in 2022. Get to know the teen top guns here.

We present some of Queensland's best artistic rollerskating talent. Left to right: Kya Michal Bax, Harper Connors and Oscar White, Sophia Garufo and Georgia Hammond.

Queensland Artistic Skating’s future could not be brighter given the teenage talent on offer.

In the last 12 months the likes of Georgia Hammond, Harper Connors, Oscar White, Kya Michal Bax, Sofia Garufo, Quinn Eenink and Cate Hamer have taken the artistic roller skating world by storm.

Here we present seven next generation artistic roller skaters, the teenage high achievers of 2022.

GEORGIA HAMMOND- 16 years old

Georgia Hammond has had one hell of a year.

Hammond has been skating competitively for five years. In that time she has come fourth in her solo National Titles campaign in Brisbane which led to her winning Gold in Youth Solo Dance at the Oceania Titles in Whanganui, New Zealand.

That was just this year. Prior to 2022, she has attended Nationals as part of both Precision and Quartet teams, the latter havingbeen the National Open Champions for the last four years.

Hammond is only getting started. World Cup competitions and World Championships are up next for the artistic roller skater who has recently taken up some skaters of her own while working towards gaining her Bronze Judging commission.

Not only is Hammond an unbelievable talent, but she is one that is working to give back to the skating community to help guide the next generation.

HARPER CONNORS- 16 years old

Harper Connors is one of Queensland's finest young artistic rollerskaters.

Connors is a hard worker who pushes herself mentally and physically to compete at the highest level. Representing Australia at the World Championships is a goal that constantly pushes her to improve, motivating her to train harder and harder each week.

OSCAR WHITE- 17 years old

Oscar White doing what he does best.

White has aspirations of not only representing Australia at Worlds but also becoming a coach, to “share my love of skating with more people so they too can share the enjoyment I get from skating.”

White said his favourite part about Skating is the different styles you can do, making it very interesting, whether it be solo, couples, quartets or even a small team.

Coaching will have to wait for White though, the youngster boasting a very impressive resume which will only grow longer as he continues to take the Skating world by storm.

KYA MICHAL BAX- 14 years old

Kya Michal Bax in her element.

Bax has ambitions of representing Australia not only at the World Championships but at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics—if Artistic Skating makes it.

Bax would be a senior in 2032, and at this rate is one of Queensland’s most promising up-and-comers. If we were to run through the titles she has held over the last half-decade, we’d be here forever. All you need to know is that she’s the State Champion of Queensland for Cadet Solo Dance.

SOPHIA GARUFO- 16 years old

Sophia Garufo in action. Check out her instagram account @skatingsophia

Garufo is an amazing talent and it stems from her love of the sport. The feeling of reaching goals, representing Australia and meeting new people along the way have all played a part in Garufo’s stunning career so far. Placing in the top 10 in next year’s World Championships is somewhat of a goal for Garufo but she has different things in mind. She wants to place—a feat no Australian has ever managed in the Ladies Solo Dance.

If anyone’s going to prove the record books wrong it’s Sophia Garufo. She has all the tools for success.

QUINN EENINK

Quinn Eenink is one of seven artistic roller skating youngsters making a name for themselves in Queensland.

Eenink has all the tools for success. Determination and love for the sport only two of his many strengths.

Whether it is skating solo or in a couple with partner Sophia Garufo, Eenink strives to be the best athlete he can be.

He loves a challenge and with his nine years of experience and coachability, it goes without saying he is one for the future.

CATE HAMER

Cate Hamer impressing the judges.

Hamer is yet another exceptional athlete coming out of Queensland.

Placing at the Oceania Championships and making the Worlds team are goals of hers and there’s little doubt that she can make it happen.

She’s on a path to success, improving leaps and bounds this year.

More to come.