At the 2024 Acrobatic Gymnastics World Age Group Championships in Guimarães, Portugal, the spotlight shone brightly on two of Sydney Hills Gymnastics’ very own, Akasha Prasad and Maliyah Mohabbat, as they proudly represented Australia.
This prestigious competition, part of the FIG World Age Group Championships, brought together the world’s most talented young acrobatic gymnasts, displaying the exceptional skill, strength, balance and artistry required in acrobatic gymnastics.
For Akasha and Maliyah, this was the moment they had worked tirelessly toward, and as they stepped onto the competition floor, their coach Jillian could not help but feel immense pride. “My initial thoughts were just how beautiful they looked competing on the world stage. I could really see all their hard work and passion out on the floor, and as their coach, it was very special to see.” Jillian reflected.
Their journey to the world stage was truly inspiring, not only for them but also for the entire Sydney Hills Gymnastics community. In the lead-up to the competition, the Club rallied behind the girls, supporting fundraisers and hosting a watch party where family, friends and supporters cheered them on with pride and excitement.
The overwhelming support helped raise the funds necessary to turn their dreams into reality, and seeing the community come together in such a
meaningful way made their participation in the competition even more special.
In preparing for such a big event, Coach Jillian focused on simulating a competitive setting in training, helping the girls acclimate to the pressure. She admits that it is difficult to replicate the intensity of a world stage, but she found that consistent repetition and encouragement worked best with the girls. As a team, Akasha and Maliyah’s unwavering support for one another behind the scenes made all the difference when it mattered most.
“They faced many challenges on the road to this competition, but each time they came back stronger and more motivated,” Jillian shared, praising their resilience and determination. Akasha and Maliyah’s ability to support each other through the highs and lows, both behind the scenes and under the bright lights, speaks volumes about the strength of their bond.
Their teamwork was on full display, not just in their performances but in the moments of encouragement shared backstage, reinforcing how their partnership was the key to thriving in such an intense environment.
A Journey to Remember
Akasha shared her excitement about competing at the World Age Championships: “Competing at the World Age Championships was an incredible experience. The atmosphere was electric, and everyone was rooting for each other. The level of talent was impressive and unlike other competitions the energy and spirit at the competition stood out, making it a memorable experience.”
For Maliyah, the experience was a little more nerve-wracking but equally exhilarating: “It was an incredible and unique experience. I was nervous but excited to see many other groups from different countries doing amazing skills right next to us. It was a much more intimidating competition, but very fun nonetheless.”
Triumphs in the Routine
One of the standout moments for Akasha was the resilience they showed after a challenging balance routine. Despite the setback, the pair gave it their all in the dynamic routine, which became the highlight of their competition. “After a challenging balance routine, our comeback in our dynamic routine was something I was very proud of. We focused on enjoying our last time on the world’s floor, and when we finished our routine, I felt a sense of relief and accomplishment,” Akasha shared.
Similarly, Maliyah took great pride in their dynamic routine, especially after hitting their hardest skill recatch and double. She reflected: “I enjoyed our dynamic routine and hitting all our skills despite the nerves. It was my favourite routine to dance to, and it had skills that I think are pretty difficult and awesome.”
Both gymnasts were excited about the opportunity to perform in front of such a prestigious audience and demonstrate their abilities on the world stage. For everyone at Sydney Hills Gymnastics, it was a proud and unforgettable moment, not only seeing the pair compete but also witnessing the strength of community spirit in action. Maliyah and Akasha’s journey has been a shining example of what is possible when talent, dedication and support come together, undoubtedly inspiring future generations of acrobatic gymnasts.
Written by Alison Langdon from Sydney Hills Gymnastics