Local gymnast Amia Pugh-Banks eyes 2028 Summer Games

May 8, 2026 - 10:15

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The life of a competitive gymnast demands relentless dedication, and for one eighth-grader from Newport News, that commitment is already opening doors to a future on the world stage. Amia Pugh-Banks, just 14 years old, is training with a clear goal: to compete in the 2028 Summer Games.

Pugh-Banks spends countless hours in the gym, honing her skills on the vault, balance beam, floor exercise, and uneven bars. Her discipline and natural talent have not gone unnoticed. Coaches describe her as a focused and driven athlete who pushes herself beyond the typical limits for her age. While the road to Los Angeles in 2028 is long and filled with intense competition, Pugh-Banks is building a strong foundation now.

Her daily routine is a mix of schoolwork and rigorous practice sessions. She balances the demands of being a teenager with the physical and mental strain of elite gymnastics. The sport requires not only strength and flexibility but also the resilience to handle falls and setbacks. For Pugh-Banks, every routine is a step closer to her Olympic dream. She represents a new generation of gymnasts who are starting their elite training earlier than ever, aiming for a spot on Team USA. The next few years will be critical as she moves up through the junior and senior ranks, but for now, the young athlete from Newport News is focused on the daily grind, one flip and twist at a time.