LAS VEGAS — When 11-year-old Yasmin Roberts flies via the air, she trusts 17-year-old Valentino Elbaz to carry her safely again down.

That belief has carried the Las Vegas acrobatic gymnastics pair from near-strangers to nationwide champions. Now, they’re getting ready to signify Staff USA on the 2026 Acrobatic Gymnastics World Youth Competitors in Pesaro, Italy.

Roberts and Elbaz are the one athletes from Nevada chosen to compete for the USA on the occasion, scheduled for Sept. 17-20.

Las Vegas acrobatic gymnastics pair to signify Staff USA in Italy

Acrobatic gymnastics blends conventional gymnastics with dance, associate balances, throws and catches. Roberts presents a less complicated rationalization.

“A variety of flipping and simply, like, handwork and associate belief,” she mentioned.

Each athletes started in conventional gymnastics earlier than transitioning to acro. They initially competed with different companions, however coach Ross Gibson believed their expertise might complement one another.

“I simply put them subsequent to one another, and straight away I might see that that was form of a match made in heaven,” Gibson mentioned. “And from that day, the purpose was this competitors — the World Championships.”

The partnership took time to develop. Gibson mentioned Roberts was shy when she was paired with the older Elbaz, and the 2 barely spoke at first. Over the previous two years, nonetheless, their relationship has grown into one resembling that of an older brother and youthful sister.

That connection has translated into success.

Earlier this 12 months, Roberts and Elbaz represented Staff USA internationally for the primary time on the Flanders Worldwide Acro Cup in Belgium. They entered with out anticipating to win however returned dwelling with a gold medal.

Roberts credited “the connection and simply the belief and simply, like, confidence” for his or her sudden victory.

James Johnson/KTNV

The pair adopted that efficiency by profitable a nationwide title on the 2026 USA Gymnastics Championships, securing their place on the U.S. roster for Italy.

They’re now coaching 4 hours a day after faculty, repeatedly performing and refining three routines. Even the smallest particulars matter, Gibson mentioned, right down to the position of a finger.

Roberts and Elbaz will compete in a discipline of 28 combined pairs, with the highest eight advancing to the ultimate. Gibson mentioned the first purpose is to ship three clear routines they are often pleased with.

A medal can be an added reward. So would the possibility to take pleasure in Italy after the competitors.

Roberts already is aware of what she desires to do first: “Consuming gelato and pasta.”