James Hardy
ABOUT
Name: James Hardy
Age (in 2021): 18
Sport: Gymnastics
Coach/s: Jake Houtby and Sean Wilson
RESULTS
Best result/s:
I made the vault final at the inaugural Junior World Championships in 2019.
Major goal for 2021:
As 2021 is my first year as a senior gymnast my biggest goal is to be competitive at the National Championships in May. I would like to start my senior career strongly and maybe come away with a few medals. I would also like to be able to represent Australia as a senior for the first time at the World Championships in October.
Most memorable sporting moment:
I will never forget the feeling of making my first State team back in 2014, I was only 11 at the time and it was so exciting finally being able to represent Qld. My teammates were so supportive and it was just a really great feeling.
Biggest challenge you have faced:
I have chosen some difficult subjects at school, so staying on top of all of my school work plus 30 hours of training each week without exhausting myself has proven to be a difficult challenge.
What do you like most about your sport?
I love how much it challenges me constantly, both physically and mentally. I also love how supportive everyone is of each other, no matter the state or country every gymnast is very encouraging. I have now met lots of interesting people from all over the world that I would have never gotten the chance to meet without this sport.
Who/what inspires you to achieve your best in sport?
My granddad who passed away last year, he was always very supportive and encouraging of what I do.
Favourite food/drink:
I'm very partial to a good chocolate milk, it always goes down well.
Favourite song/music:
I'm a big fan of rock, at the moment Muse is one of my favourite bands but Seven Nation Army remains one of my favourite songs. Love a lot of songs from the 70s and 80s though as well.
Favourite destination:
So far my favourite destination was Houston in Texas, I'm a massive space nerd and getting to visit the Johnson Space Center was really cool.