By BRENT STUBBS
Chief Sports Editor
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
FIVE enthusiastic young members of The Bahamas’ 36-member team are excited to be carrying the national flag during the 2026 CARIFTA Artistic Gymnastic Championships.
The third edition of the championships will be held for the first time in The Bahamas November 13-16 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium and is being dubbed by the Gymnastics Federation of the Bahamas as a “must see event” for the general public.
The federation officially named its team on Thursday with Team Bahamas comprising of gymnasts from level 1-9 representing the Airborne Gymnastics, Bahamas Star Gymnastics, Paradise Elite Gymnastics, Island Dance and Gymnastics - Eleuthera and Island Elite Gymnastics - Grand Bahama as well as six competitors from the United States.
Cordesha Pierre, an 11-year-old Level 3 gymnast representing Island Dance and Gymnastics, said it’s “extremely exciting” knowing that she will be “representing my home soil this year.
“The first two years I didn’t have any competition so I automatically got in, but this year, I had to compete against extremely strong gymnasts and I know that I can do it.”
Skai Campbell, a 10-year-old Level 4 gymnast from Paradise Elite Gymnastics, said she’s grateful to be a part of Team Bahamas this year.
When asked what she is looking forward to from the competition, she simply stated “getting medals” as she makes her presence felt for Team Bahamas.
Aria Elliott, a nine-year-old Level 3 gymnast also from Paradise Elite Gymnastics, said she’s just as “excited” as her team-mates to compete for Team Bahamas. “I was happy and I was thinking that I was going to win,” said Elliott when asked what went through her mind when she was selected. “It’s really great to be able to compete in front of my parents (and family) because they are very proud of me.”
Aubrey-Skye Munnings, a nine-year-old Level 2 gymnast from Island Dance and Gymnastics, is back for her third appearance at the championships and she’s just as thrilled as she was for the first one.
“I just want to enjoy myself and have fun,” Munnings said.
And Nylah Symonette, a 14-year-old Level 5 gymnast from Bahamas Star Gymnastics, best summed it up as a first time competitor selected to Team Bahamas.
“I was really excited and it’s just a feeling to know that I will have the opportunity to represent my country,” she stated. “I just want to do my best and make my teammates proud, make my coaches proud and make my family proud.”
Symonette encouraged the Bahamian public to come out and watch as they get ready to compete on “home soil” and represent the country.
The other members of Team Bahamas are:
Level 1 - Mikaili Kemp and Ellie Hanna
Level 2 - Eliana Rodarmel, Rhainne Smith, Elianna Turnquest, Blake Bruney and Taitu MicKlewhite
Level 3 - Tatiana Simon, Savannah Johnson, Arianna Johnson, Elika Sweeting, Angela Rolle and Elizabeth Wiberg
Level 4 - Braeden Musgrove, Abigail Hamilton and Eibhlin Playfair
Level 5 - Deborah Zonnicle, Madelyn Cole, Raven Hemmings, Ambrielle Braynen, Te’Karria Cartwright and Amelia Francis
Level 6 - Anai Ingraham and Kayla Culmer
Level 6 - Ariann Capron
Level 8 - Kia Bazard and Maleah Miller
Level 9 - Sade Hall
PAGU - Level 2 - Kayla Culmer
Pagu - Level 3 - Malesh Miller
In addition to members of Team Bahamas, Cora Hepburn, president of the host federation, said the Bahamian public will also get a chance to interact with JerQuavia Henderson - a Bahamian elite gymnast - who is preparing to qualify to compete in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.
Tickets will go on sale shortly, according to the federation, which is also still seeking more assistance from corporate Bahamas as potential sponsors.