Emily Whitehead
EMILY WHITEHEAD
Senior International Gymnast
Quick Facts:
Name: Emily Whitehead
Level: Senior International
Birthplace: Mornington
DOB: 11/12/2000
Nickname: Em
School: Torrens University
Motto: "Leave no stone unturned"
"Train your mind to see the good in every situation"
Most admired sportsperson? Michael Jordan
Favourite music? Pop
Favourite movie/TV shows? The Age of Adaline & The Blacklist
What is your pet hate? Disorganisation, mess and half done jobs
If you were famous who would you be and why? SIA, because I like to blend in with the crowd
Best piece of advice you've ever received? "Nothing worth having comes easy." "Live in the moment and soak it all in."
Training Information:
When and why did you start gymnastics? Five years old. My older sister did it and I wanted to be like her.
First gymnastics club? Grips Gymnastics
Who were your developmental coaches? Janie Ahlstrom, Grace Yang, Mr Yang
Who is your current coach? John Hart and Shaoyi Jiang
What is the most important thing your coach has taught you? Just keep chipping away. Don't focus on the things you can't control.
Favourite thing about Waverley? The support shown inside and outside of the gym. They go above and beyond to help us athletes achieve our dreams.
Biggest challenge you've overcome so far? Back injury in 2019 and re-finding the love for the sport during COVID
Best apparatus? Vault
Favourite skill? Pak on bars
Most difficult skill to learn? Flyaway dismount off bars
One skill you would most love to learn? Stalder Tkatchev on bars and The Cheng vault
Most Significant:
Best National Perfomance: 2021 Australian Championships
Best International Performance: Tokyo Olympics for AA score. Commonwealth Games for Individual apparatus
Proudest gymnastics achievement? Becoming an Olympian
National & International Competitions:
National Championships: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021
International Competitions:
2014: Jesolo Trophy and Pacific Rim
2015: Jesolo Trophy and Japan Junior
2016: Pacific Rim
2017: AT&T American Cup, Gymnix International and Cottbus World Cup
2018: Melbourne World Cup, Commonwealth Games and World Championships
2019: Flanders International
2021: Continental Championships and Tokyo Olympics
2022: DTB Pokal Cup