But there is a third, and arguably more challenging, form of gymnastics. Acrobatic gymnastics. 

And a trio of junior athletes have excelled in this form of the sport. Mykenna Collier, Jemima Clarke and Mikayla Carr are preparing to head to Antwerp, Belgium, for the World Age Championships.

Acrobatic gymnastics is a variety of the sport that involves team-based movements including lifts and throws, as well as somersaults and handstands. Routines are classified as either balance, dynamic or combined and many of the activities are similar to those performed by Cirque du Soleil performers. 

For Collier and Carr, this marks their second trip to a world championships, after competing in China in 2016. Clarke joined the team in June last year, but she is also an experienced competitor. 

Collier said the team’s goal was to improve on the 2016 result and qualify for the final, a showdown between the top eight teams to be named the best in the world.

“We’re hoping to make finals this time,” Collier said. “It would mean a lot because we have trained really hard and just to get that achievement would be amazing.”

The girls have been training for this competition since June, recording a number of impressive results along the way. The team won all three selection trials to book their place in the Australian team. 

Coach Shelby Lacey is confident that hard work will hold them in good stead in Belgium.

“They’re super hard working,” Lacey said. “They’ve pushed through a number of injuries and obstacles, but they have never given up on this goal.

“I think they can improve on 2016. They know what it’s about this time. They’re bringing the experience, they’ve put in the hours and they’re looking for a better performance this time.”