Isabella Wang’s Journey In Rhythmic Gymnastics

Isabella Wang is one of Australia's top rhythmic gymnasts. Of Korean ethnicity, she was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, and currently trains at Le Ray Gymnastics. She started rhythmic gymnastics at the age of 9, transitioning from ballet. 

Over the course of her career as an individual rhythmic gymnast, she represented Australia at many international competitions. Her first major senior international competition was the 2022 World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, and more recently she competed at the 2025 World Championships in Brazil and the 2025 FISU World University Games. Both nationally and internationally, Isabella consistently achieved results that put her among the most elite of Australia's rhythmic gymnasts.

After a successful individual career, Isabella decided to transition from being an individual to a group gymnast.

“I was very content with my individual career at the end of last year, as I had competed at all the major competitions (Worlds, Uni Games, etc.) With rhythmic gymnastics being taken out of the Commonwealth Games, I had less motivation to continue as an individual. But I wasn’t fully ready to retire yet, and I wanted to challenge myself in a new environment and continue growing as an athlete. Everyone in my corner was so helpful and supportive in helping me make this decision, as I wanted to make the most of the opportunities that were still available to me.”

What role have your family members played in your success?

“My parents have poured their hearts and souls into my career. Anyone who knows them would agree that my parents are the most lovable, selfless, hard-working, caring, and supportive people ever. They have supported me in every single way possible to help me pursue my dreams as a rhythmic gymnast. They drove me everywhere, organised my entire schedule, and sought out the best academic tutors, ballet teachers, choreographers, and other specialists to ensure I could excel in both sport and academics. They were never demanding or overly strict; instead, they always encouraged me to do my best and supported me unconditionally every step of the way.

I owe all my successes to my parents; they are the reason behind it all.”

What was your childhood like? Balancing sport and school?

“I never really struggled to balance sport and school until Year 12, as my school was incredibly supportive. The staff understood the demands of elite sport and consistently provided me with the resources and support I needed to succeed both academically and athletically. Year 12 was more challenging, as I was part of the Olympic shadow squad and was eventually competing among the top 3 in Australia. As I began to feel the pressures of balancing sport and school, my school suggested that I spread my subjects across two years, as I had missed nearly two terms of school and was falling behind. My teachers and mentors were incredibly supportive, understanding, and encouraging throughout this period. They regularly checked in on me, helped me catch up on missed content, and always went above and beyond to ensure I succeeded. Their guidance played a significant role in keeping me motivated and allowed me to excel in my studies. I have immense gratitude for the teachers at MLC School (like the HOY's), and I remain thankful for their support to this day!”

Going from individual to group gymnastics

What is the biggest difference you have noticed between competing alone and competing in a group?

“It’s definitely a lot more fun when we are travelling together. Group also allows us to push and encourage each other during training and competition. For me, Individual was more like a fight against yourself, but group provides you with that extra bit of support from your teammates. I feel like both group and individual are equally challenging but demand different types of skills on the competition floor.”

Is there ever guilt, resentment, or pressure, either when you or teammates make mistakes?

“These feelings have been the most difficult component of transitioning into a group for me. With the added pressure of being captain, it left me with a huge amount of guilt and disappointment when I made a mistake - but this is something I am consistently navigating and trying to manage with the help of my sport psychologist and coaches/support staff.

This is the reality of a team sport, and I am just getting used to it! We all know we are trying our best, and mistakes are common in our sport, so we try to learn from them and focus on the next competition. Like I've been told, great athletes are made through mistakes, and this is all part of the process - You just have to ride the ups and downs!”

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS IN AUSTRALIA

RG is less popular in Australia than in some other countries. What challenges do you think there are in Australia compared to other countries where the sport is more established?

“One of the biggest challenges for rhythmic gymnastics in Australia is that it is still a relatively small sport. Because of that, there is generally less funding, fewer sponsorship opportunities, and less media exposure. This can make it harder for athletes to access greater support, international competition experience, and resources that gymnasts in countries where the sport is more established receive. Australian athletes often have to make greater personal and financial sacrifices to compete internationally. Despite these challenges, we learn to make the most of the opportunities we have, and when Australian gymnasts achieve success on the world stage, it feels even more rewarding because of everything we've had to overcome.”

Do you think the sport is growing in Australia?

“I do think rhythmic gymnastics is growing, which is really encouraging. We're seeing more athletes getting involved, improved international results, and greater exposure in international competitions. However, compared to many other countries, the sport still receives limited funding, media attention, and support, making it difficult to attract and retain athletes. I hope to see the sport continue to grow, with greater investment and recognition, so that future generations of Australian gymnasts have even more opportunities to succeed.”

What developments would you like to see in Australian Rhythmic Gymnastics?

“I hope rhythmic gymnastics continues to grow in popularity and visibility across Australia. Increased support for the sport would give athletes access to better resources and opportunities, helping them compete more successfully on the international stage. I'd also love to see more young gymnasts getting involved, as well as greater recognition of the dedication and talent within our RG community.”

Have you ever faced serious setbackS, either due to mental or physical roadblocks and how did you move forward?

“Injuries have definitely been one of the biggest challenges throughout my career. I am currently managing a foot injury whilst still competing and training. The psychological side of sport can also be incredibly challenging. I have definitely had moments where I question myself, feel discouraged, and struggle with the pressure that comes with high-level competition. While these challenges haven't always been easy to navigate, I have been incredibly fortunate to have dedicated people around me who have supported me through every process and helped me stay focused on my goals. My most serious setback would’ve been in Portimao 2024 when my body shut down on me. I went to emergency and quickly recovered, as I had to compete at the final Olympic selection the following week. But by then, I was not in the right headspace. Physically, I had recovered enough to compete, but mentally I was exhausted and struggling immensely to perform at my best. Looking back, that experience taught me the importance of prioritising my wellbeing!”

What are your future goals for Rhythmic Gymnastics?

“Like every other elite athlete, the ultimate dream is the Olympic Games. However, I want to take it season by season and give it my all whilst still maintaining my love for the sport. My health and wellbeing will be my main priority, but I would also love to try and medal at bigger international competitions now as a group.”

What are your hobbies outside of Rhythmic Gymnastics?

“I love meeting up with my friends and just spending time with them. I gain energy from the people I love and am surrounded by, so I tend to try and put a lot of effort into my relationships with them when I have free time.”

What do you see in your future outside of Rhythmic Gymnastics?

“My goals outside of rhythmic gymnastics are to complete my Master's in Physiotherapy and build a successful career. Beyond this, I simply want to continue growing as a person, remain humble and grateful, and overcome anything life throws at me!”

Do you see yourself staying involved in RG after retirement?

“I actually do! I started coaching a little bit last year, and I absolutely loved it! So, I’m interested in coaching or even judging!”

What does it mean to you to represent Australia internationally?

“I’ve always said this, but every time I get to represent Australia it really is an honour for me. I take it with pride and responsibility, and always aim to do my best. It still feels surreal to have achieved my childhood dreams, and I always will remain grateful for the opportunity Gymnastics Australia has given me.”