Five yoga athletes from Brevard County are set to compete in Italy's World Championship of Yogasana Sport, fueled by community support and fundraising efforts.
Brevard County Yoga Team Heads to Italy for World Championship
In December, a dedicated group of five yoga athletes from Brevard County will make their way to Marina di Camerota, Italy, to represent the United States at the 17th World Championship of Yogasana Sport. This elite competition, organized by the International Yoga Sports Federation, will welcome over 150 athletes from more than 30 countries, showcasing the best in global Yogasana talent.
Meet the Athletes
The Brevard athletes competing as Team Sunshine include both seasoned champions and promising newcomers: Donna Trantham, Jacob Balmer, Sydney Windsor, Joe Elliott, and Sophia Conneen. Together, they form a diverse team that spans a wide age range, with competitors from youth categories to those in the 65+ division.
Joe Elliott, a seasoned competitor and co-owner of H.O.T. Yoga on the Island, clinched gold in the Masters Men 65+ division at the 2026 USA Yoga Nationals. At just 11 years old, Sydney Windsor brings youthful vigor to the team, having achieved a gold medal in the Youth Girls 9-11 division in the same national event. Sophia Conneen, 18, who recently graduated from Melbourne High School, earned national recognition by placing third in her age group at the 2025 competition and is now set to compete in the 18-34 division.
Representing not only themselves but also their community, the team’s members feel a profound sense of responsibility to excel on this international stage. Conneen expressed her sentiments: "Representing my community and the United States is an honor, and I intend to bring even more honor home with me from Italy." This sense of duty resonates through the team as they prepare for one of the most significant moments in their competitive careers.
A Legacy of Support
The journey to the World Championship combines personal commitment with extensive community backing. Donna Trantham, who owns Mr. Submarine & Salads in Titusville, has spent close to 40 years balancing her restaurant responsibilities alongside a dedicated 32-year yoga practice. She sees this trip not just as a personal achievement but as a milestone that embodies perseverance and community effort. "To stand on the world stage represents 32 years of quiet discipline, overcoming health setbacks, and proving that passion has no age limit,” she reflected.
The athletes train and compete without corporate sponsorship, placing additional importance on community involvement. In response, local businesses have rallied to support the team financially. Suzanne Elliott, the owner of H.O.T. Yoga and the current USA Yoga president, highlighted the communal spirit among the athletes, noting, “Yoga Asana Sport is practiced as an individual journey, but this team has turned it into something communal.”
Fundraising Initiatives
To offset the considerable expenses associated with international travel, the team has initiated a fundraising campaign set to run through November. This includes a percentage of proceeds from Mr. Submarine's Italian menu items, a donation jar at the restaurant, and dedicated "Dine to Donate" spaghetti dinners scheduled for October 14 and November 18. Additionally, the team has launched a GoFundMe campaign to accept online contributions, aiming to ease the financial burden on all five athletes.
The Road Ahead
As the Brevard team prepares for Italy, they symbolize the unyielding spirit of not just their local yoga community but also the strong bonds forged through shared experiences and mutual encouragement. Trantham stated, "It means carrying the spirit of my loyal restaurant guests, my local Florida community, and my teammates with me across the ocean to show the world what a lifetime of dedication truly looks like." Their journey is about more than just competition; it’s a testament to the fervent local support and the power of community in achieving dreams.
In December, these athletes will step onto an international platform, bringing the name of the Space Coast and their collective stories to the Yogasana Sport stage.
More information about the World Championship of Yogasana Sport is available at iysf.org.
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