High above the ground, a team of South African aerialists soared in Italy… and came back with medals, pride and Protea Colours.
Johannesburg, South Africa (11 September 2025) – South Africa has once again proved that when our athletes step onto the global stage, they rise higher than anyone imagined. A group of aerialists, performing six metres above ground with nothing but strength, grace and determination, have returned from Italy with medals, Protea Colours, and a story that deserves to be shouted from the rooftops.
From golds to silvers and bronzes, our athletes climbed the podium again and again.
Gerard Hung walked away with two golds in Aerial Silk and Aerial Hoop and a silver in Chains. Young Madison Cousins stunned with double golds in Aerial Hoop and Chains, while Cara De Wet claimed gold on the Hoop and bronze on the Silk. Emerson brought home bronze in the Hammock, Gemma earned silver in Hoop, Leanè secured silver in Chains, Kaitlyn added silver in Trapeze and Minette collected bronze in Hoop.
And all of them returned with something even bigger than medals… their Protea Colours, the highest honour for representing South Africa on an international stage.
Becoming an aerialist isn’t about circus tricks or weekend hobbies. As parent and organiser Sunika Nattrass explained, “An Aerialist is an advanced acrobatics artist who performs six metres in the air and displays feats of dance, strength, flexibility and grace.”
Getting to Italy was no easy feat either. The team was completely self-funded. For nearly nine months, these athletes trained relentlessly while also saving every rand they could to make their dream a reality. And once they arrived, they faced competitors from across the globe… Italy, France, Russia, Thailand, Germany, England, America and Ireland.
Still, they held their own and more.
“Not only was it an international event where the team got to represent the country, but it’s also a display of their skills on an international platform,” said Sunika.
“Their colours represent their ability to perform professionally for the country and highlight that they are the highest-ranked aerialists in SA.”
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Madison said, “It was an absolute privilege, honour and blessing to go to Worlds.”
“I transitioned from dance to aerial and wanted to see where this new chapter could take me. Winning gold made it all worth it,” Cara added.
Parents were just as moved.
Cassidy’s family shared, “We are so very proud of Cassidy’s achievements… She worked so hard and showed so much dedication.”
Another parent added simply, “Words cannot describe how incredibly proud we are.”
And perhaps Gerard’s reflection as both coach and competitor captured it best.
“The most rewarding part of coaching to this level is watching each day as the student masters things they initially thought was impossible. Watching them grow physically and mentally into a Springbok athlete is rewarding for any coach, and even better when the group took so many wins, the most rewarding part is watching them come out of their shells as the reality of achieving their goal comes to light.”
In a year where South Africa has been searching for moments of unity, these athletes remind us of something powerful: we can rise. Even with limited resources, even without big sponsors or fancy send-offs, young South Africans with enough grit, support, and community behind them can go toe-to-toe with the best in the world… and win.
As one proud mom put it: “My voice is not loud enough to shout loudly enough.”
Well, today, we’re shouting with her. South Africa, our aerialists flew high in Italy, and they’ve brought the medals, the colours and the pride home with them.
Full list of winners:
Gerard – Masters
🥇 Gold Aerial Silk
🥇 Gold Aerial Hoop
🥈 Silver Chains
Madison – Juniors
🥇 Gold Aerial Hoop
🥇 Gold Chains
Cara – Seniors
🥇 Gold Aerial Hoop
🥉 Bronze Aerial Silk
Emerson – Juniors
🥉 Bronze Aerial Hammock
Gemma – Seniors
🥈 Silver Aerial Hoop
Leanè – Seniors
🥈 Silver Chains
Kaitlyn – Students
🥈 Silver Trapeze
Minette – Seniors
🥉 Bronze Aerial Hoop
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