By Isabel Lay

Following a confidence-boosting performance at the Oceania Championships in May and three bronze medals at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, James Hardy capped off an impressive period by being named Emerging Athlete.

“I’m still finding it a bit hard to process everything that happened in Glasgow,” Hardy said. “Moments like this help it sink in, and I’m really grateful for the recognition.”

It was the Oceania Championships that pushed Hardy and the wider Australian Team to readily prepare for Glasgow, with the men’s team standing tall at the top of the podium, and Hardy himself coming away with a silver in the men’s all-around.

It was these results that then led to an all-time experience in Glasgow.

In front of a parochial home crowd in Scotland, Hardy came away with three bronze medals; a Team bronze as well as individual medals on floor and on the rings, rounding off an impressive debut at the Commonwealth Games.

“Representing Australia at any competition is always an incredible honour, but the Commonwealth Games felt even more special,” Hardy said.

Drawing inspiration from the men’s gold medal at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, Hardy felt particularly honoured and proud to represent his country.

“Coming home with three bronze medals was a pretty amazing way to do that.”

Hardy also highlighted his experience away from competition, where he felt part of the wider Australian team and appreciated his Games experience, noting the familial atmosphere both in the gym and across the other sports.

“Having AUS HQ as a home-away-from-home made it feel like we were part of something much bigger than our own sport,” he reflected.

Fondly recalling a time just before the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, at a farewell event for Thomas Pichler who would go on to win two gold medals in India, it was a poster taken home and still hanging on his wall today that now holds increased sentimental value than it did before he left for Glasgow.

“Coming home as a Commonwealth Games medallist myself and looking at that same poster was pretty surreal.”

Hardy also mentions Dutch gymnast, Epke Zonderland’s high bar routine at the London 2012 Olympics as a point of inspiration to taking gymnastics seriously.

Teaching him the importance of consistency and making small improvements, it’s the continual hard work that Hardy applies that has helped him to keep progressing; while enjoying the challenge of seeing how far he can push his limits.

That philosophy was reinforced by one of the best pieces of advice he received from his coach, Jack, who regularly reminds him that “small improvements add up.”

It was an approach Hardy went on to utilise in Glasgow, where he won bronze on rings by just 0.1, reinforcing the importance of fine margins in performance.

Likening his approach to gymnastics to solving a technical problem, Hardy is sure to emphasise the importance of clearing his mind before tackling a routine or working through the challenge at hand.

Outside the gym, he a similar approach to his studies, including the Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering that he’s currently completing. Having interests beyond gymnastics also provided an important balance.

“Having that focus outside gymnastics actually helps me focus more when I’m in the gym.”

Looking beyond gymnastics, Hardy hopes to work in the space industry and contribute to the growth of Australia’s space technology sector, with the ultimate ambition of one day going to space himself.

As Hardy reflects on his inspiring and driven performance at the Games, he’s already looking to use that success as a confidence boost to continue building as an individual and alongside the Australian team. With the Los Angeles Olympics ahead and a home Olympics in Brisbane also on the horizon, he remains focused on pushing himself and the team towards further success.

It has been a hardworking and rewarding few months for Hardy as he continues to push his gymnastics and personal endeavours.

His persistence and diligence as an athlete and person have rightfully earned him the honour as Commonwealth Games Australia’s Emerging Athlete for June.

The Commonwealth Games serves as a platform for developing the future stars of Australian sport and the Emerging Athlete of the Year forms part of a refreshed Awards and Honours program developed by the CGA Heritage and Awards Committee. 

The CGA Emerging Athlete of the Year Award celebrates the next generation of Australian sport stars and those that may make an impact for Australia at major sport events in the future. 

Over the course of 2026, an athlete will be recognised each month as the Emerging Athlete of the Month and will receive a $500 contribution towards their training and competition expenses. 

Three finalists from the monthly winners will then split a $7000 cash prize, with the winner receiving $5000 and the two runners-up $1000 respectively.