Lidiia Iakovleva

Biography

Born in Petrozavodsk, Karelia Russia, Lidiia Iakovleva's early introduction to rhythmic gymnastics was almost serendipitous. Initially a dancer, young Lidiia found her true calling when her parents took her to a local rhythmic gymnastics club, a sport that enjoys widespread popularity in Russia. Falling in love with gymnastics from the first moment, she committed herself fully to the discipline. At the age of seven, Lidiia and her family relocated to Australia, where her journey in the sport truly began to blossom.

Lidiia’s competitive prowess first emerged in 2013, when she claimed third place at the national championships in Australia. She followed this up with another bronze medal in 2014. However, it was a significant training camp in Russia that forged her into a more disciplined and confident athlete. This newfound confidence saw her dominate the Sydney selection trials for the 2016 Pacific Rim Championships, where she later secured a bronze in the clubs final.

Her star continued to rise as she swept multiple titles at the national level, culminating in a stellar performance at the 2018 Australian national championships. That year she was also a standout at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, clinching 22nd in the individual rankings and third in the multi-discipline team event.

Making her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, Lidiia impressed with a personal best in the clubs routine. In 2022, she was honored with a tier three scholarship from the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and shone at the Commonwealth Games, where she was the youngest team member. Lidiia played a crucial role in securing a silver medal for the Australian team while also achieving strong individual placements.

With her eyes now set on Paris 2024, Lidiia Iakovleva continues to embody the grace, determination, and skill that make her one of Australia's most promising rhythmic gymnasts.