Emily Whitehead, Kate McDonald, Romi Brown, Macy Pegoli: Meet the young stars of Vic gymnastics
From atheletes with natural ability to those who have been on the floor since they were six, we name Victoria’s best young gymnasts. See the 30+ list.
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Flipping, tumbling, stretching and swinging — there isn’t much a gymnast can’t do.
After a tough few years of Covid lockdowns stopping training and competitions, athletes are back on the floor and reaching for their dreams.
Here are the top 30+ up and coming gymnasts to keep an eye on.
Emily Whitehead – women’s artistic gymnastics – Waverley Gymnastics
Emily Whitehead, 21, from Mornington started gymnastics when she was five to follow in her sister’s footsteps — literally.
She has had a decorated gymnastics career including being a Tokyo 2020 Olympian. She is the 2022 Australian champion for floor and will be heading to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham to defend her bronze medal in vault.
She has also competed in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Her first club was Grips Gymnastics and working through a back injury in 2019 and staying connected to the sport throughout Covid were the hardest things she has had to overcome.
Kate McDonald – women’s artistic gymnastics – Cheltenham Youth Club
Kate McDonald, 21, started gymnastics when she was five because she enjoyed physical activity.
She has been a national squad member since 2018 and competed at many national and international competitions with her proudest achievement being her selection to the Commonwealth Games Team, Birmingham.
Kate has also represented Australia at the 2019 World Championships and competed in the uneven bars event at the 2018 Pacific Rim Championships, Columbia where she earned a bronze medal.
She was selected for the Gymnix Challenge, Montreal, where she took home a silver medal for beam.
Kate is studying at Deakin University in Melbourne while training in Braeside at CYC Gymsports.
Romi Brown – women’s artistic gymnastics – Waverley Gymnastics
Romi Brown, 19, from Sandringham started gymnastics when she was seven because she liked the monkey bars. Her first club was Cheltenham Youth Club and she has represented Australia in France and the Czech Republic.
Romi is an up and coming gymnast who has been selected to her first Commonwealth Games in 2022. She is the 2022 Australian champion for bars and most recently won a silver medal on bars at the DtB Pokal Cup 2022 held in Stuttgart.
Since she bursted into the scene at the 2014 Australian national championships where she produced outstanding results including being crowned the all-round champion for international level 9 and international level 10. Romi has represented Australia at the prestigious Elite Gym Massilia event in Canada in 2016.
She has also competed in the Australian Gymnastics Championships where she has found great success.
Macy Pegoli – women’s artistic gymnastics – Cheltenham Youth Club
Macy Pegoli, 20, started gymnastics when she was just four because she had so much energy.
She is now balancing her studies of property valuation while training five days (eight sessions per week) at CYC Gymsports.
Macy’s biggest achievement to date is being selected for the Germany DTB cup team and the continental championship team for Olympic trials.
In 2022 Macy became a national squad member and has so far won third all-round senior at the Victorian championships, sixth all-round senior at the Australian Championships and been selected as a reserve on the Commonwealth Games Team, Birmingham.
Asher Bayles – women’s artistic gymnastics – Geelong YMCA
Asher Bayles has been a member of YMCA Gymnastics Club since she was five.
She is the only senior international gymnast from regional Victoria and the first senior international athlete at YMCA Geelong training in Geelong.
Asher placed third all-around at nationals in 2019 at future international but missed out on competing her junior international years in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid lockdowns and injury.
At 15, Asher debuted as a first year senior this year, finished seventh all-around at Australian championships and was named non-travelling reserve for Commonwealth Games.
Asher is named on the Paris 2024 squad to train at the AIS for National training camps.
Chloe Saliaris – women’s artistic gymnastics – Waverley Gymnastics
Chloe Saliaris, 15, from Geelong started gymnastics when she was six because she had so much energy. She placed third all-round at Australian classics 2019 and has represented Australia in Canada where she made it to beam and floor finals.
Chloe is competing in the senior international competition with a great beam and floor program. Chloe was an integral team member in winning the team gold at the 2022 Australian championships.
Her favourite skill is a round off double tuck beam dismount and her most admired sports person is Lydia Lassila.
Miella Brown – women’s artistic gymnastics – Waverley Gymnastics
Miella Brown, 15, from Melbourne started gymnastics when she was three after seeing how much her sisters loved it.
Miella is competing in the junior international competition with great success. Miella is the 2022 Australian junior champion on bars and received a silver medal in all-round at the recent Australian national championships.
She began training at Cheltenham Youth Club and is now with Waverly Gymnastics. Her best apparatuses is the floor or the vault and she loves doing a double lay out on the floor.
She cites her best national performance as the 2018-19 Australian Gymnastics Championships but, she is proudest of 2021 Australian Gymnastics Championships after coming back from a long time off due to Covid.
In 2020 she represented Australia in the L‘International Gymnix.
Charlotte Shin - women's artistic gymnastics - Waverley Gymnastics
Charlotte Shin, 15, is competing in the junior international competition and has had great local and international success. Charlotte most recently was a team member in Australia’s success at the DtB Pokal Cup, receiving a Silver medal in the team competition.
Kipp Smith – men’s artistic gymnastics – Eastern Gymnastics/high performance program
Kipp Smith, 19, competes for Eastern Gymnastics Club and trains at the men’s high performance program.
He began gymnastics in 2007 at the age of five and trained with eastern gymnastics until the end of 2014 before moving to the high performance program.
He is an incredibly hard worker and a great role model to the younger gymnasts. He has represented Australia multiple times in the past and said he feels proud every time he can wear the green and gold.
This year Kipp has already had four podium finishes, coming first on the high bar and second on parallel bars in the Victorian championships. In the Australian Championships he came second on the high bar and third in teams.
He has competed at the Houston international where he came second on Pommel and he has competed in other international competitions like the junior world championships and at the Pacific Rim championships.
Tyson Bull – men’s artistic gymnastics – Knox Gymnastics/high performance program
Tyson Bull, 29, from Melbourne began gymnastics when he was five, to get good foundation skills for all sports but it ended up being the one catapulting him onto the world stage.
He is one of few people in the world capable of executing a Cassina, a type of gymnastics skill.
He studied in the United States at the university of Illinois but made a return to Australia in 2015 for the Australian Gymnastics Championships where he took out two gold medals on the high bar and pommel horse.
He also competed in the 2018 and 2019 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and the Tokyo Olympic Games. His Tokyo Olympics performance was the best any male Australian ever has done.
His coach described him as humble, driven and motivated to become the best he can be.
Ruben Chitters – men’s artistic gymnastics – Dolphin Gymnastics
Ruben, 30, has been a gymnast at Dolphin since he was seven. He has proved himself as a great gymnast and has achieved many Victorian championships. His best result was Moscow world cup when he represented Australia.
He achieved gold medal on floor exercises and silver on horizontal bar in 2019.
His coach describes him as “a promising gymnast”.
Alex Luyckx – trampoline gymnastics – Cheltenham Youth Club
Alex Luyckx , 19, was a tumbler in WA before moving to Melbourne and joining CYC Gymsports in 2016 and at age 13 made the switch to trampolining.
Alex has won multiple state and national titles including being ranked number one all-round athlete at the 2019 national club championships.
Also in 2019 Alex was selected for his first Australian team, competing at the World Age Championships in Japan, making finals and finishing 6th on double-mini.
In 2022, as well as coaching his own squad, Alex has competed at the Australian Championships and the Aere World Cup in Italy, walking away with two silver and two bronze medals from nationals and making finals in Italy.
Brock Batty – trampoline gymnastics – Cheltenham Youth Club
Brock Batty is just 15 but has already had so much success.
In February 2016 a 9-year-old Brock walked into CYC Gymsports with the dream of being an Olympian.
By the end of 2018 he had won two Australian titles in addition to one silver and two bronze at Australian championships plus was selected for his first Australian team, competing at the 2018 World Age Championships in St Petersburg, Russia.
In 2019 Brock won two more Australian titles and his first International medal — bronze — in Japan at the World Age Championships.
Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva – rhythmic gymnastics – Prahran Rhythmic
Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva, 20, was born in Wellington, New Zealand and raised in Melbourne, Australia. She started gymnastics at the age of three and moved to the specialised field of Rhythmic Gymnastics at the six with Prahran Rhythmic.
She first competed internationally in 2012, marking her debut with all-round gold medal at 2012 Vitri Cup in Spain.
She is a 2018 Commonwealth Games dual bronze medallist.
An Australian national champion with 15 national titles won across the past five years, she has represented Australia at three World championships, 10 World cups and several international tournaments.
She studies law at Monash University and is the youngest inductee to Maccabi Victoria Hall of Fame for her contribution to sport. Alexandra is about to start her two-month-long “games tour” where she will represent Australia in The World Games (USA), Maccabiah Games (Israel) and Commonwealth Games (UK).
Jasmine Morris - rhythmic gymnastics - Prahran Rhythmic
Jasmine Morris, 10, is a high performance sub junior rhythmic gymnast from the Prahran Rhythmic Gymnastics Club in Melbourne who started rhythmic gymnastics at the age of five.
She was recently crowned the 2022 sub junior state champion at the senior Victorian rhythmic gymnastics championships in Melbourne.
Jasmine was also runner-up state champion in 2021 and 2019 at the Victorian rhythmic gymnastics championships.
She has represented Victoria in 2021 and 2022 at the Australian gymnastics championships on the Gold Coast, winning two individual silver medals and a team bronze in 2021.
In 2022 she was awarded three individual medals at nationals and a team silver medal. She placed third overall for the sub junior level in the whole of Australia.
In 2019, aged eight at the national club championships, Jasmine was awarded an individual bronze medal in her first national competition.
Ashari Gill – rhythmic gymnastics – Prahran Rhythmic
Ashari, 19, started rhythmic gym when she was five.
She has competed at two world championships and six world cups representing Australia. Her highlight is being selected for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this year.
Alisa Gimgina – rhythmic gymnastics – Prahran Rhythmic
Alisa, 19, is a senior international gymnast and a member of the Australian national squad.
She was recently selected to represent Australia at the 2022 Maccabiah Games in Israel.
She has represented Victoria at Australian Gymnastics Championships since 2014, and has participated in multiple international competitions.
Alisa Gimgina began gymnastics at nine after watching the Olympic Games in Beijing.
At the past two AGCs, she has finished seventh overall in the all-around competition, her best national results to date.
On an international level, Alisa competed at the 2014 Shoin Cup where she placed 4th.
She loves gymnastics because she gets to travel and make new friends.
Miyabi Akiya – rhythmic gymnastics – Prahran Rhythmic
Miyabi, 13, started rhythmic gymnastics in 2013. She has been AA state champion since 2015 and AA national champion since 2016.
She has also been awarded the winner of the 2021 rhythmic gymnastics junior international gymnast of the year.
Akiya Miyabi was in the Victorian Rhythmic Gymnastics Team for the 2019 Australian Gymnastics Championships.
At the 2018 Australian Gymnastics Championships she competed as a sub junior and won gold on every apparatuses to take out the title of sub junior all-around champion.
She always comes to class on time and never leaves until she has accomplished all goals set by her coach.
Her training and work ethic make her a role model for everyone at the club and her ability to self-motivate and develop herself is highly impressive.
Alicia Tan – rhythmic gymnastics – Prahran Rhythmic
Alicia Tan, 12, is a high performance pre-junior rhythmic gymnast from Prahran Rhythmic Gymnastics Centre.
She was recently crowned the 2022 state champion at the senior Victorian rhythmic gymnastics championships in Melbourne.
She won gold in all four competition apparatuses in freehand, ball, hoop and ribbon.
She was runner-up at the Senior Victorian Championships in 2021 in pre-junior, obtaining gold in freehand, hoop and clubs, silver in ball.
Alicia was the overall Australian level six champion in 2019 at the National clubs carnival in Queensland, taking home gold in freehand, rope, ball and a bronze in clubs
She has been crowned the Australian national champion at the 2021 and 2022 Australian gymnastics national championships for the pre-junior level.
She is described by her club as a hard working young girl who is “extremely modest” and just “slugs away” at her goals.
Dylan Findley and Ava Goodwin – acrobatic gymnastics – Skylark Sports
Dylan, 22, and Ava, 14, are a senior international mixed pair, competing at the highest level in the sport of acrobatic gymnastics. They have just returned from the Maia International Acro Cup in Portugal where they earned the silver medal.
Tegan Shiller, Mia Jackman and Madlen Mikhaylichenko – acrobatic gymnastics – Skylark Sports
Madlen, 22, Tegan, 20, and Mia, 15, are senior international women’s trio, competing at the highest level in the sport of acrobatic gymnastics. The trio has recently returned from the Maia International Acro Cup in Portugal where they placed ninth.
Lara Lamont and Daniel Zenkis – acrobatic gymnastics – Team Adrenalin
Daniel Zenkis, 26, and Lara Lamont, 16, both train at Melbourne based Acrobatic Gymnastics club, Team Adrenalin.
The pair pre-Covid) were in a senior mix pair and travelled to Las Vegas to compete in the Vegas Acro cup and placed 2nd overall, 2nd balance, 2nd dynamic and 2nd in combined routines.
They had some impressive skills which made them stand out in Australia and competed to make the Australian national squad.
The pair are resilient and dedicated and have stuck by the sport through the pandemic and have recently competed in the Victorian State Championships and Australia Gymnastics Championships in level nine and have taken out 1st place in all routines and overall.
Rubi Conti – aerobic gymnastics – Pure Allstars
Ruby Conti, 16, from Bendigo began gymnastics when she was six.
Ruby has been training with Angela McMillan at Pure Allstars for six years and travels to and from Bendigo for training four times every week.
Ruby is three times National Champion in the international individual category along with two International titles in the trio and Aerodance category.
After three years of no international events, Ruby pushed through an injury and Covid on her way to the FIG World Championships in June. It’s a dream which she has worked so hard for over the past few years.
Olivia Feaver – aerobic gymnastics – Pure Allstars
Olivia Feaver from Melbourne started gymnastics when she was six and enjoys any kind of jump element.
Olivia has been training in Aerobics for more than 10 years. She is four times national champion in the senior international individual category.
Olivia has gained several international medals in the aerodance, trio and individual categories. She trains 20 hours a week and is a passionate and dedicated athlete.
In 2016 Olivia placed first in the senior aero-dance individual and aero-dance trio at the Australian championships.
In 2017, at the Australian aerobics championships, Olivia reached the pinnacle of aerobics in Australia when she took out first place and the gold medal in the senior individual female category.
Olivia gives back to the sport by coaching young school kids and club athletes and hopes to inspire others to strive for their dreams.
Roisin Selvarajoo – aerobic gymnastics – Aerodynamix Gymnastics
Roisin Selvarajoo, 23, began gymnastics in 2013. She had a break after a few years of competing in the sport but in 202 made her return with aerodynamix.
Her greatest achievements include competing in the 2013 Australian championships and the ANAC world’s champion: varsity aerodance team in 2014.
She has also competed in the Australian gymnastics championships, receiving second place at level 10 in 2021 and this year achieved first place in the Australian aymnastics championships in the aero-dance senior trio category.
Emma Ross – women’s artistic gymnastics – MLC Gymnastics
Emma is only 15 and has already travelled with MLC Gymnastics — to Singapore — for her first international event where she finished 2nd overall and 1st on beam.
Emma’s coach says she has beautiful lines and a bright future.
Amber Ward – women’s artistic gymnastics – MLC Gymnastics
Amber is only 14 and recently competed at the Singapore Open with MLC Gymnastics.
Amber won the overall junior international division, vault and floor, and was 2nd on bars and 3rd on beam.
Lia Sterns – trampoline gymnastics – Cheltenham Youth Club
When Lia, 19, was 16 she was selected for the national squad and in that same year she became an Australian champion and an Australian representative for the world age games in Japan.
In Japan Lia won bronze in the double mini event to cap off a great 2019.
In 2022 Lia has picked up where she left off becoming an Australian champion once again and being named in the national squad. A great role model for our younger athletes at CYC Gymsports, Lia is also a judge and coach.
Flynn Gregor – trampoline gymnastics – Cheltenham Youth Club
Flynn Gregor, 16, tried gymnastics and tumbling at CYC Gymsports before he began trampolining at the start of 2018.
The following year he became a three-time Victorian champion; the only athlete his age to complete a triple somersault at a national competition.
He is also a member of the Australian team competing at the world age championships in Japan.
So far in 2022 Flynn has been named on the national squad, won two Australian titles and took home two silver medals and one bronze at the Australian Championships.
He also just won bronze at the Coimbra Gymfest in Portugal and will represent Australia in Switzerland at the Nissen World Cup.
Sunday Hollingsworth – trampoline gymnastics – Cheltenham Youth Club
Sunday Hollingsworth, 18, has been a trampoline athlete at CYC Gymsports for 12 years and has represented her club and Victoria many times, winning several titles and medals.
In 2018 Sunday was selected to her first Australian team and competed at the world age championships in St Petersburg, Russia.
Despite this being her first international competition Sunday was able to make finals and finish in 7th place.
In 2022 she has been named on the national squad, received a Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship, attended a national squad camp and won an Australian title.
Airez Coyle – women’s artistic gymnastics – Athleta Gymnastics
Airez Coyle, 14, trains at Athleta Gymnastics in Altona North.
This year she has qualified for the Victorian state team and represented Victoria at the Australian championships on the Gold Coast.
She competed as a junior international athlete where the team placed 3rd overall.
Marcus Casamento – men’s artistic gymnastics – Balance Gymnastics/high performance program
Marcus Casamento, 20, is the 2022 senior national champion on floor who is a member of the Victorian Institute of Sport and the national squad.
A highlight of his career is competing at the 2020 Melbourne World Cup and his idol is Kohei Uchimura, a Japanese gymnast.
He aspires of becoming an Olympian and works hard every day to get a step closer to this.
Sandy Hardiman – men’s artistic gymnastics – Eureka Gymnastics/high performance program
Sandy is the 2022 Senior Victorian Champion who has previously represented Australia and been on the national squad.
In 2020 Sandy placed 4th on the horizontal bar at the International Team Cup finals in Texas.
His coaches say he is a strong, fearless gymnast who loves to learn new skills.
William Hansen-Cooper – men’s artistic gymnastics – BTYC Gymnastics
William Hansen-Cooper had a breakout year this year where he placed third at Nationals in the all-around competition.
According to his coaches he is strong and daring and always wants to better himself.
This year he competed in the state team at the Australian Championships on the Gold Coast.
Nic Howard - men’s artistic gymnastics - high performance program
Nic Howard is the 2022 junior Victorian champion who is hoping to represent Australia at the 2023 junior world championships.
In 2018 he competed in the senior Victorian shampionships and walked away with a 2nd place on floor, 3rd place on high bar and he was the level seven under vault champion.
According to his coaches he is hard working, dedicated and respectful in his approach to the sport.
Xavier Magnanini - men’s artistic gymnastics - high performance program
Xavier is a two-time all-around medal winner at the bational Championships who has a bright future in the sport.
He is a focused gymnast who chases progress not perfection.
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