Two Fijian aerobic gymnasts have been confirmed to compete at the FIG Suzuki World Cup 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, on April 18, marking a notable step for the sport in Fiji. Eighteen-year-old Robyn Eastgate will return to the global meet in the Senior International division, while 12-year-old Lauren Pilla makes her international debut in the Youth International Open category.
Eastgate’s selection for Tokyo represents her second appearance at the Suzuki World Cup after competing at last year’s event. The Suva-based gymnast has balanced largely independent training with remote coaching, receiving online guidance from Philippines-based coach Lynette Moreno and mentorship from Australian coach Deborah Greenbaum. Eastgate has also tested herself at regional competitions, including the National Clubs Carnival in Gold Coast, Australia, and said the road to elite competition has been paved with setbacks that fuel her persistence. “I have more failures than success,” she said. “It was really hard but I had to keep on going. I do one thing, it doesn’t work. Okay, try again. Keep on trying, failure after failure until it works.”
Pilla’s pathway has been more locally anchored. The 12-year-old trains at AeroGym Suva under coach Josiemaraya Ryland and benefits from additional support from Australian coaches Deborah Greenbaum and Mercedes McIntyre. Despite her youth, Pilla has already been competing at the National Clubs Carnival since 2024 and now steps up to one of the sport’s premier international events. “If you want to join gymnastics or any sport, you have to work hard, believe in yourself, and never give up on your dreams,” Pilla said, underlining the commitment that brought her to Tokyo.
The selections highlight a dual approach to athlete development in Fiji’s aerobic gymnastics scene: remote, specialist coaching for athletes like Eastgate and club-based nurturing for rising talents such as Pilla. Both athletes’ preparations reflect contributions from regional coaches and clubs and point to growing regional links that are expanding opportunities for Fijian gymnasts on the world stage.
Organisers of the FIG Suzuki World Cup attract top aerobic gymnasts from around the globe; for Fiji, having representatives in both senior and youth categories underscores progress in building depth across age groups. The event on April 18 will give the two gymnasts exposure to high-level competition and benchmarking against international standards, experience coaches say is crucial for long-term development.
As the pair finalise preparations for Tokyo, their presence will be watched closely by Fiji’s small but ambitious aerobic gymnastics community. Eastgate and Pilla will carry national hopes as they compete, offering both a measure of current capability and a glimpse of future potential for the sport in Fiji.
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