Sports
Mahwah Gymnast Makes 'Beautiful' Debut At World Championships, Coach Says
A Mahwah gymnast represented the island nation of Barbados, where she holds dual citizenship, on the international stage earlier this month.
MAHWAH, NJ — A Mahwah gymnast with a goal to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics just represented the island nation of Barbados at an annual global competition earlier this month.
Olivia Kelly, a Level 10 USA Women's Development Program gymnast, holds dual citizenship in Barbados by way of her paternal grandfather, and represented the island on the international stage at the 2022 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
“Worlds was an amazing experience that I will remember forever," Kelly said. "I’m so grateful that I got an opportunity to compete at this level for a country that I care so much about."
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Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley even gave Kelly a shoutout on Twitter: "Not only did Olivia make history today for Barbados by being our first gymnast to appear at (Worlds), but she made her debut in stunning form."
Kelly is also the first elite gymnast from Boonton's North Star Gymnastics Academy, where she trains, to compete at Worlds.
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Up next for the Kelly, who is 16 years old, is the USA Women's Development Program season, starting in January, and for the elite track, the Pan-American Masters Games, which will keep her in top shape as she continues along the qualifying pathway to the Olympics.
A highly ranked gymnast, Kelly had just won first place all-around at the 2022 Jamaica Gymnastics Classic, and a bronze medal on the balance beam at the USA Women's Development Program Level 10 Nationals.
Kelly trains under CEO, head coach and part-owner of North Star Ashley Umberger, who is also a former U.S. National Team member.
“To be able to coach an athlete at Worlds is a gift in itself. All the athletes are so driven, talented and poised. Olivia definitely fits in and belongs on the international stage,” Umberger said. “She had a beautiful debut at Worlds and as her coach, I couldn't be more proud!”
Kelly will graduate from her homeschool high school academic program in 2024 and intends to pursue a Division 1 NCAA gymnastics athletic scholarship.
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