Local Sports Stars: Casula’s Leila Ghazi on her ambitions

Casula teenager Leila Ghazi has competed against the best in the world in aerobic gymnastics. The talented young athlete shares her ambitions.

Leila Ghazi has represented NSW and Australia at competitions. Picture: Carmela Roche

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She’s represented NSW and Australia in multiple competitions over her short career, but Leila Ghazi has many more goals she wants to kick.

Since taking up aerobic gymnastics two years ago, the 13-year-old gymnast from Casula has reached a number of heights on her journey to the world stage.

“I began aerobics gymnastics two years ago after stopping artistic gymnastics due to a knee injury,” she said.

The teen has been nominated for a Local Sports Star award. Picture: Carmela Roche

“I wanted to continue doing a sport where I could use my skills and strength from training many years of gymnastics.”

The teen said aerobics was the “perfect” fit because she enjoyed performing dynamic routines to fast-paced music.

At this year’s Aerobics State Championships in April, Leila placed second in the International Age Group 1 Individual Women’s Event and fifth in Intermediate Individual Aerodance.

She was subsequently selected to represent NSW in the Age Group 1 category at the Australian Championships in May, placing third out of 11 competitors.

Leila said her biggest success was taking home gold in junior trio aerodance last year at the ANAC World Championships in America.

“My goal is to compete at an aerobic world championship where I will get to see other champions from other nations compete. I also hope one day aerobics becomes an Olympic sport,” she said.

Leila has been nominated for a Junior Sports Star Individual award. The Local Sports Stars competition is sponsored by Featherdale Wildlife Park and Bankstown Sports. Nominate at localsportsstars.com.au.