2026 Oceania Championships (Worlds Qualifier)

[Matilda23]

On 9 May, Australia won WAG and MAG team competition and qualified teams to World Championships in Rotterdam. Also qualified is Jun McDonald & Freya Reid and Alexander Istock & Daniel Stoddart all from New Zealand.

Asher Bayles injured her knee on the first event doing a Yurchenko 1.5 vault so the AUS team was down to 4. Georgia Godwin competed well (no floor) after withdrawing from a few previous comps.

NZ WAG counted falls on bars and beam but had good vaulting.

Misha Koudinov did a crazy new release on HB, a full-twisting Gaylord! Looks like a layout full twist to a piked straddle re-catch.

Jesse Moore did a new vault Roche instead of his usual DTT. Jesse’s was good just a slight hop, but James Hardy sat down his.

 

[RAFIKI]

Thanks for the update. Good to see Godwin back.

 

[irichluck21]

So business as usual with Australia basically automatic team qualification to Worlds.

I wonder what the men will do. Will they actually compete a team or opt to take individuals like they did last team worlds.

 

[Matilda23]

I think AUS MAG compete a team. Jesse Moore, James Hardy and Ritam Malik compete AA, with two specialists.

 

[BB12]

It was great to see Godwin back. She looked strong on all her events. I expect that performance also sealed her spot on the Comm Games team.

A couple of little juniors to keep at eye on - Alice Johnson on bars and beam and Mady Fazio on VT, BB, FX.

 

[BB12]

So business as usual with Australia basically automatic team qualification to Worlds.

I wonder what the men will do. Will they actually compete a team or opt to take individuals like they did last team worlds.

It will definitely be a team this year. Next year, it will depend if they think an individual can snatch an Olympic spot.

Someone to keep an eye on is Chris Remeks. He's been training elite again and can put up some big scores. He would be a great addition to a team if he can get back to his best.

 

[Matilda23]

If Chris Remkes gets back to his previous level that would be a solid vault line-up:
Moore: Tsuk double twist or Roche
Hardy: Roche
Bacueti: Dragulescu and Tsuk Triple Twist
Remkes: Dragulescu and Tsuk Double Pike

Remkes was also good on floor and PH?

 

[BB12]

If Chris Remkes gets back to his previous level that would be a solid vault line-up:
Moore: Tsuk double twist or Roche
Hardy: Roche
Bacueti: Dragulescu and Tsuk Triple Twist
Remkes: Dragulescu and Tsuk Double Pike

Remkes was also good on floor and PH?

I'm not sure about floor but he's posted VT, PH and PB clips which fits nicely in what events would be needed for a team if he can some reasonable difficulty going.

 

[Matilda23]

Madelyn Fazio’s floor is really nice, the same music as Riley McCusker’s 2019 routine, and her double tuck has perfect form.

 

[irichluck21]

Heath Thorpe to take a break from elite- won't compete rest of 2026, citing burn out.

So he's out of the running for worlds.

Too bad. But sounds like he is very aware of his mental health needs.

 

[MaryClare]

And no CWGs either

 

[Matilda23]

IMO Heath was unlikely to make either team - his HB is inconsistent and other gymnasts are comparable on his other events VT and FX.

 

[irichluck21]

It's unfortunate he is inconsistent, that high bar routine is gorgeous when hit, and I appreciate his push for artistry on floor.

 

[Matilda23]

@irichluck21 Heath’s AUS teammate Marcus Casamento also has an nice artistic floor and a gorgeous double pike. Marcus is competing this year.