Few things are more thrilling than cheering on an athlete from your hometown or region as they compete on the world stage.
I’m sure plenty of you, like me, tuned in at 12.15am yesterday to watch Barwon Heads’ very own Jakara Anthony take on the world’s best in the final of women’s moguls at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
While the defending Olympic gold-medallist didn’t secure a podium finish this time around, her superb skill, determination and composure should be applauded.
To make it to the Olympic Winter Games – let alone the finals – is an astronomical achievement, particularly given there aren’t many alpine slopes in Barwon Heads.
And her hopes of taking home Olympic gold aren’t dashed just yet. Jakara will take on the dual moguls on Saturday at 8.30pm – so be sure to tune in.
Regardless of the result, Jakara has been an incredible representative of both our municipality and country.
For years, Jakara has inspired young athletes in Greater Geelong and abroad. She was the sixth Australian to win gold at an Olympic Winter Games, after taking home gold in 2022 in Beijing.
In the 2023/24 season, Jakara took home another victory, the record for the most World Cup circuit wins in a season in women’s moguls.
The next season, Jakara sustained a broken collarbone while training for a competition in Sweden. This injury meant that she missed out on competing in the 2025 World Championships in Switzerland.
But that only intensified her thirst to win. A year and one day on from her injury, Jakara competed – and won – in her return to competition in Finland.
Jakara represented Australia as one of two flagbearers in the Milano-Cortina 2026 opening ceremony, a true honour bestowed upon only the very best of our country’s athletes.
Not only is Jakara a champion on the slopes she has also proven to be a terrific role model and leader at home in her community.
I had the pleasure of attending the Christian College Geelong Sport Hall of Honour ceremony last year, where Jakara was inducted for her extraordinary achievements in women’s skiing.
Despite these achievements, Jakara’s speech demonstrated her incredible humility and generosity, and she took the time to share her insights with up-and-coming athletes from her hometown.
This is something we see time and time again with successful athletes who have come from our region. They’re proud of where they’ve come from and they’re eager to mentor the next generation to reach for gold.
It speaks volumes of the sports programs we have in Greater Geelong that not only teach them to master their craft but also foster a sense of sportsmanship in our athletes.
Glory goes beyond the winner’s podium, and Jakara has been a shining example for our region, both on and off the slopes.
I’m sure I speak for many people across our municipality when I say we are incredibly proud of Jakara’s achievements.
And I hope she returns to her world-beating form in the years to come.
