Gympie’s top 2022 gymnasts and circus performers to watch

Gympie has some incredibly talented gymnasts and performers already making a mark in the sport. Aged from 5 years old to 63, here are 15 champions and breathtaking performers:

Australia enjoyed a huge win in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, with gymnasts Kate McDonald and Georgia Godwin claiming gold, silver and bronze.

In celebration of this, The Gympie Times went to the region’s gymnastics clubs and circus schools to determine who the region’s best upcoming performers and students were.

Here are 15 young athletes to watch:

Mya Juzeliunas from Gympie Gymnastics Club.

Mya Juzeliunas, 8

Mya Juzeliunas is a flexible little athlete in the level 3 competitive development class of the Gympie Gymnastics Club and competed away for the first time in 2022.

Her goal is to attend regional championships in 2023 and progress through the levels at the club.

Mya’s favourite exercise is the straddle press to handstand which she nailed last week and has just achieved her first handstand on beam.

“She’s a little pocket rocket,” coach Teagan Cleary said.

Myles Ballard, aged 6, from Gympie Gymnastics Club.

Myles Ballard, 6

Myles Ballard is part of the gymnastic club’s mag competitive level 1 class and is hoping to compete in his first in-house competition in October 2022.

He is always punctual, respectful and shows very good behaviour, coach Teagan Cleary said.

Myles is a good listener and participates in all aspects of the program.

He wants to develop his upper body strength for all mags-specific apparatuses such as rings and pummels horse.

He is very enthusiastic about the sport and is very kind to his classmates and teachers, Ms Cleary said.

Ava Sheard from Gympie Gymnastics Club.

Ava Sheard, 12

Ava Sheard is a recreational gymnast who has been in the program the longest at Gympie Gymnastics Club.

Ava is an all-rounder and always consistently attends training.

She has participated in many end-of-year displays within the club and loves working on her strength. Ava always participates in strength exercises and a good workout in every class.

“She is very dedicated,” coach Teagan Cleary said.

Bella Reid from Gympie Gymnastics Club

Bella Reid, 13

Bella Reid stars in the Gympie Gymnastics Club’s acre tumbling class and is advancing quickly.

She always shows sportsmanship, giving support to her classmates and other athletes.

Bella is polishing her round-off backsault and has excellent flexibility.

She is a very powerful gymnast and shines as a base in teamwork exercises, coach Teagan Cleary said.

Linc Kennedy from Gympie Gymnastics Club

Linc Kennedy, 11

Linc Kennedy specialises in trampolining and was very quiet when he started at the gym earlier in 2022.

His confidence has developed immensely in that time and there is no limit to his energy, his coach said.

Linc is an extremely motivated worker and always puts 100 per cent effort into what he’s learning as he started gymnastics a little bit later, coach Teagan Cleary said.

He wants to find his own way in the sport, and works hard to achieve things, she said.

Linc is fast learner and is working on his backsault and barani on the trampoline.

Kingsley Bell from Aerial Dreaming Circus School.

Kingsley Bell, 5

Kingsley Bell, from Aerial Dreaming Circus School, loves to perform tricks on silks.

She is eager to learn, and has undying commitment.

She is consistent, and attends all her classes.

Kingsley is yet to compete, with competitions in this sport starting from the age of 8.

However, she has already performed at various events. Her dream is to grow up and be just like her coach Miss Bec, Kingsley said.

“I’m not afraid of anything,” Kingsley said.

Nashota Gills from Aerial Dreaming Circus School.

Nashota Gills, 19

Nashota Gills, from Aerial Dreaming Circus School, specialises in lyra (hoop) and silks.

“Nashota is our scholar and has worked really hard for this opportunity,” her coaches said.

She trains as early as 6am everyday, and commits to everything that comes her way.

Just like Emily Brown, Natosha has competed many times and placed in Bend The Air, Miss Lyra and La Folie.

Her goal this year is to compete in as many competitions as possible.

Emily Brown from Aerial Dreaming Circus School in Gympie.

Emily Brown, 15

Emily loves silks at Aerial Dreaming Academy and always adds her own flare to her performances. She is consistent and committed to training, her coaches said.

She has participated in various competitions and placed in Bend The Air and La Folie.

Her future dream is to be a coach at Aerial Dreaming Circus School and take to the stage as a performer.

Rebecca Holliday and Bridget Siljac from Aerial Dreaming Circus School.

Rebecca Holliday, 42, and Bridget Siljac, 32

Rebecca and Bridget coach at Aerial Dreaming Circus School and perform with most apparatuses.

They uphold consistent training, are dedicated to the school and are prepared their 28 students for the next round of competitions in Brisbane.

In addition to placing at La Folie and Bend The Air, they have participated in a range of competitions.

They aim to be elite aerialists and performers, and share the dream and love of the sport and community with others.

“We are so proud of each and every one of our students ranging from three years old to over 60 years old, everyone has their own song and we love to see them dance/move to it in the air,” Rebecca and Bridget said.

Bruno Kempter

Bruno Kempter, 57

Bruno from the Mary Valley Circus School also performs aerial acts with his fellow athletes, but his specialty is juggling and the flaming dragon staff.

Bruno Kempter (left) and Karen Lloyd (right) at a Mary Street performance.

Corinne Kempter (top left), Richard Edwards (left), Kieran Broome (centre back), Bruno Kempter (right).

Karen Lloyd, 63 and Richard Edwards, 51

Karen and Richard perform on the ground with various acts such as juggling, cube, fire poi and fire staff, coach Kieran Broome said.

Corinne Kempter (top left), Richard Edwards (left), Kieran Broome (centre back), Bruno Kempter (right).

Corinne Kempter, 53

Corinne Kempter performs at the Mary Valley Circus School and often performs with the gym’s owner, Kieran Broome.

Their special act is the double trapeze.

Kieran Broome (top) and Corinne Kempter (bottom).

Kieran Broome, 39

Kieren’s favourite apparatuses are aerial silks and net. He also performs double trapeze with Corinne.

“We always perform with a lot of joy, and take the time to co-ordinate acts, lighting and sound into complete packages,” Kieran said.

The five of them perform various acts across the region and beyond, but Kieran’s highest achievement is Mary Valley Circus and Skyfall Silks coming together to put on a jam-packed full-hour local show, he said.

Their first two shows in 2021 completely sold out, and they are now ready for this year’s Fire and Ice themed show on Friday and Saturday, August 26-27.

Corinne, Bruno, Karen, Richard and Kieran all started circus later in life, but Kieran says that everyone wants to keep fit, explore death-defying moves and entertain their audience.

“Even with the niggly aches and pains that sneak in with age, you can find your own niche and highlight what you’re good at,” he said.

“You don’t have to be the strongest or the most flexible, but if you work hard on something you can develop your own unique approach and strengths.”

Originally published as Gympie’s top 2022 gymnasts and circus performers to watch