Aspiring Olympic gymnast Ava Costa fights to walk again after training session tragedy

At only 14 years of age, Ava Costa was set to fly to Paris to compete in the Olympics but then tragedy struck when she leapt off the beam at gymnastics training.

Ava has sustained a serious spinal injury. Picture: Supplied

An aspiring Olympian who was an “inspiration” to the gymnastics community is fighting to walk again after being injured at training.

At just 14 years of age, Ava Costa was on track to represent Australia at the Olympic Games in Paris next year. Now the Victorian athlete faces an even greater challenge.

Ava was performing a dismount on the beam at training in early April when she landed on her neck, sustaining a spinal injury.

Despite emergency surgery, she has had no movement yet below her point of injury.

“From that moment she had no feeling – she was extremely scared and so were we,” her mum Randi Costa told the Herald Sun.

Ava was performing a dismount on the beam at gymnastics training when she landed on her neck. Picture: Supplied

“Our family’s life was changed in an instant. It really makes you appreciate life, and not take it for granted.

“Ava is still Ava, just trapped in a body that doesn’t move at the moment.”

The Victorian star started gymnastics at the age of five, before moving to Queensland with her family during the pandemic to continue her “promising and already thriving” career.

Just last month Ava was crowned Queensland’s Junior International All Around Champion and was selected to represent the country at the Australian Junior Classic on the Gold Coast, this weekend.

Last year the young athlete was a member of the Australian team that won silver at the prestigious global competition, DTB Pokal, in Germany.

“Representing Australia is one of Ava’s proudest moments,” Ms Costa said.

Owner and director of Ava’s local club Premier Gymnastics, Nicki Robbins, said the gymnastics community was “devastated” to hear of her injury.

Ava is the youngest member of the Olympic Games training squad for 2024. Picture: Supplied

Her mum said representing Australia is one of Ava’s “proudest moments”. Picture: Supplied

“She is an inspiration to her teammates and younger gymnasts due to her incredible training ethic, her dedication, determination, persistence, and attention to detail,” Ms Robbins said.

“Ava is a confident, kind, caring, quirky and beautiful soul and her bravery and positive outlook for the future inspires us all.”

Ava’s coaches Misha Barabach and Xiaomin Tao said training the rising star was a privilege because her passion and work ethic was second to none.

“Ava has a real love for gymnastics,” Mr Barabach said.

“Her whole life is dedicated to and revolves around the sport.

“She is very disciplined and self driven in training, in competition and in everything she does. She always strives for perfection.”

“Ava is a very strong worker, always follows her program and works very hard. She is happy and loves her gymnastics training and competition,” Ms Tao added.

Despite emergency surgery, Ava has had no movement yet below her point of injury. Picture: Supplied

Ava, is the youngest of four siblings, with three older brothers Jacob, Ben and Luke.

Her mum described her as a “strong-willed, determined young woman with amazing focus and discipline”.

“She would come in every single morning at 5:30am to get me up to take her to training,” Ms Costa said.

“Since she was young she was constantly flipping around the house, onto the couches, trying to teach herself skills, she had an abundance of energy.

“Ava created a vision board at the age of 10 and started a design business at age of 12 during the lockdowns while she continued training at home.

“At school she maintained an A grade report card while training at the elite level.”

Ms Costa said her daughter’s life “completely changed overnight”.

“Unfortunately with spinal injuries they are life changing – one day you’re fine and just like that everything is turned upside down,” she said.

“We are told we have a very long road ahead. It has been an inconceivable process.”

Despite the tragic injury, Ava’s family says she hasn’t lost her beloved smile or sense of humour.

“She constantly has the doctors, nurses, physios and occupational therapists in stitches,” Ms Costa said.

“Ava is also extremely caring and compassionate – she’s already thinking of ways she can help others with spinal cord injuries.”

Ava was crowned Queensland’s Junior International All Around Champion only last month. Picture: Supplied

Ms Costa said Ava wants to continue to be connected to the gymnastics community in any way that she can, including through coaching or judging.

Since being in hospital the 14-year-old has designed a leotard with gymnastics brand Sylvia P to help raise funds for her recovery.

The leotard is pink and purple – Ava’s favourite colours – and decorated with butterflies to symbolise transformation and hope.

Dad David Costa said his daughter’s positive attitude, strength and determination will guide her path to recovery and healing.

“Her mental and physical strength has carved a path to beat the unbelievable odds it takes to reach this level in elite sport,” he said.

“We believe wholeheartedly that Ava will show the world that she has what it takes to beat the odds once again.”

Gymnastics Australia chief executive Alexandra Ash described Ava as a “promising young junior athlete” who was determined to achieve competition milestones.

“Gymnastics Australia and Gymnastics Queensland, along with the broader gymnastics’ community in Australia, are devastated by the tragic events of early April which saw Ava Costa severely injured following a training accident at her local club,” Ms Ash said.

“We will continue to support and celebrate Ava and her achievements.”

Ava’s family have set up a fundraising page online at walkingwithava.org, and an Instagram and Facebook page, at @walkingwithava, to follow her journey.

Originally published as Aspiring Olympic gymnast Ava Costa fights to walk again after training session tragedy