LAS VEGAS - When the 11-year-old Roberts is flying through the air, she knows that her 17-year-old partner Valentino Elbaz will be there to help bring her back down safely to the floor.

That trust has grown between a pair ofLas Vegas acrobatic gymnasts who have gone from unfamiliar competitors tonational champions, and now the duo is setting their sights on representing Team USA in the 2026 Acrobatic Gymnastics World Youth Competition in Pesaro, Italy.

Roberts and Elbaz are the only representatives from the state of Nevada that will be sent as part of the United States' delegation of gymnasts for the international meet taking place Sept. 17-20.

Acrobatic gymnastics incorporates dance with gymnastic's partner balances, throws, catches and tumblers, butRoberts gives an easy way to understand the sport: "A lot of flipping and just, like, handwork and partner trust."

The pair started in traditional gymnastics before beginning an acrobatic partnership. They were originally partners with other people until coach Ross Gibson believed that the pair of acrobatic gymnasts' strengths might be compatible.

"I just put them next to each other, and right away I could see that that was kind of a match made in heaven," Gibson said. "And from that day, the goal was this competition - the World Championships."

The pair was still fairly new two years ago when Roberts, who said she was "shy" earlier, started working as Elbaz's partner and said the two of them barely worked together verbally; now, her relationship with Elbaz resembles an older brother toward a younger sister and they hardly are ever apart.

This sister-brother bond has developed over their time together and has led them to success. In February of this year Roberts and Elbaz represented the United States for the first time as an acro pair and won a gold medal in Flanders, Belgium at Flanders International Acro Cup. Roberts credited "the connection and just the trust and just, like, confidence" for their victory; They never expected it to happen, but the win secured them spots in USA Gymnastics Championships in February, where they won first place and claimed a spot in the 2026 competition.

They currently practice four days a week and train for four hours daily after finishing school each day. The training involves them to repeatedly perform the three routines that they have planned for the World Championships. Gibson states that it is necessary to perfect even the slightest motions to keep the finger positioned correctly.

With 28 teams competing this September in the mixed pair competition, it is hoped thatRoberts and Elbaz will advance into the top eight and reach the final round. Though earning a spot on the podium isn't the only thing they are working for. "Our goal isn't to win, really,," Gibson reported. "Our goal is two clean, excellent routines."

Though a medal isn't the goal, they hope to be proud of their performances; another thing Roberts is looking forward to: "Eating gelato and pasta."

Written by

Lakshya