Daria's Story
Daria ‘Dasha’ Joura was born in Russia to parents who competed and coached gymnastics and she became an elite level gymnast by the age of seven when she emigrated to Australia. Joura contested her first Senior Nationals in 2006 winning the all around and three of the four individual apparatus titles. Despite missing selection for the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Joura competed at the 2006 World Championships, finishing fifth in the all around final to help the Australian team to sixth overall. Joura was selected to compete at the Beijing Olympic Games and was a favourite leading into the competition, however prior to the qualification round, she injured her ankle on floor exercise. She struggled through the qualification competition, stumbling on floor and on beam in noticeable pain. Joura made the team competition her priority - the only apparatus she was fit to compete in during the final was the uneven bars. Her courage spurred the team on to a historic 6th place finish. Joura also competed at the 2005 Australian Youth Olympic Festival, winning gold in the floor event.
