Training twenty-four hours a week in Kedron, young gymnastics standout Zhariyah Akiba is rapidly turning local dreams of an Olympic home showcase into reality.
Local clubs are bracing for a forty percent participation surge as more than 135,000 adults and children embrace the sport by the year 2032. Training up to twenty-four hours across five weekly sessions at Delta Gymnastics’ high-performance program, the young athlete known affectionately as Big Z has advanced rapidly through the competitive levels since moving from the Cairns region.
Her rigorous routine includes competing at the Australian Gymnastics Championships representing Team Queensland and testing her skills against older international prospects in Sydney.
Mentored by club director John Mitchell, the dedicated youngster transitioned smoothly from Level 5 to Level 7 before jumping three additional levels. Coaching staff attribute her swift progress to a natural ability for picking up complex skills and maintaining composure under high-pressure competitive environments.
Akiba draws daily inspiration from American Olympic champion Simone Biles, openly sharing her dream of performing signature vault maneuvers on the world stage.
While age restrictions keep her out of upcoming international fixtures, timing aligns perfectly for a home showcase when Queensland hosts the global competition. Gymnastics Queensland forecasts massive community growth over the coming decade, transforming local training hubs into breeding grounds for future champions. Facilities across the region are expanding programs to accommodate the surging wave of enthusiastic families and aspiring competitors stepping onto the floor.
Published Date 16-October-2026
