Wrap up from the 2016 ACR World Age Group Competition

Australia’s best young Acrobatic Gymnastics (ACR) athletes have wrapped up a successful week of competition at the FIG ACR World Age Group Competition in Putian, China.

The team – consisting of 28 athletes and 12 officials – experienced a week of rewarding competition in China, against the best young acrobats from around the world.

Overall Australia entered 11 groups in the World Age Group Competition, with two groups reaching finals, whilst another four were named as finalist reserves.

Special mention must be made to the 13-19 Mixed Pair of Perry Drakopoulos and Tara Sahagian, who finished fourth overall by just 0.01 in an extremely competitive field – just 0.8 off first place – and to the 12-18 Women’s Group of Aime Parker, Jasmyn Dew and Izabeya Jones, who qualified in eighth position for the final, but jumped two spots in their combined routine to finish sixth overall.

Full results are as follows: 

11-16 Women’s Pair
Antonia Maher and Nicole Chan (NSW) – 13th (2nd reserve for finals)
Petra Janda and Daisy Puckeridge (NSW) – 24th 

11-16 Women’s Group
Kristy Hay, Mykenna Collier and Mikayla Carr (NSW) – 17th
Millie Hulst, Katie Laithwaite and Alex Heap (NSW) – 18th

12-18 Women’s Pair
Jess Adams and Grace Fairall (NSW) – 12th (1st reserve for finals)

12-18 Women’s Group
Aime Parker, Jasmyn Dew and Izabeya Jones (QLD) – 6th 
Maddi Lacey, Mikayla Stephens and Molly Jewiss (NSW) – 16th 

12-18 Mixed Pair
Ethan Burton and Ebony McLean (NSW) – 15th (1st reserve for finals)

13-19 Women’s Group
Oceane Rousseau-Forwood, Laura Tyson and Emily Ferguson (QLD) - 15th (2nd reserve for finals)
Lauren Cosgrove, Sarah Hemmings and Jill Connor (NSW) – 19th

13-19 Mixed Pair
Perry Drakopoulos and Tara Sahagian (NSW) – 4th 

Congratulations also to the ACR athletes and officials whose competition in China marked multiple appearances at a World Age Group Competition, showing the potential for longevity in the sport for both athletes as well as coaches and judges.

Current athletes:
3 – Lauren Cosgrove, Perry Drakopoulos, Tara Sahagian.
2 – Oceane Rousseau-Forwood, Laura Tyson, Jess Adams, Maddi Lacey, Mikayla Stephens.

Current officials:
Mia Romano - competed in 2006, judged in 2014 and 2016.
Shelby Lacey - competed in 2008 and 2010, coached in 2016
Rebecca Buffrey - competed in 2006, coached in 2016.

Our attention now turns to FIG’s Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships (for Senior athletes) will commence in Putian on Friday, with Australia to be represented by Hilary Conroy and Natalie Lin of NSW in the Women’s Pair, and the Men’s Group from Queensland of Cassiel Rousseau-Forwood, Jake Sergeant, Liam Rousseau and Lachlan Nightingale.