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PALM BAY, Fla. — A 13-year-old student athlete from the Space Coast has earned a prestigious spot on USAAO Team USA, securing her place to compete at the 2026 IAAO Open International Championships in Aruba.

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Mackayla Blood, a Palm Bay resident and talented aerial arts performer, qualified after an impressive showing at the recent USAAO qualifying championships held in Melbourne, Florida. Her performance earned her a coveted position on the national team, setting the stage for her to represent the United States on the international stage.

Mackayla trains at Cirque Athletics in Melbourne, where she is also a member of the Le Troupe Competitive Team. Despite her young age, she has quickly risen through the ranks in the aerial arts community.

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This isn’t Mackayla’s first major accomplishment. In 2025, during her first year of competition, she qualified for Nationals and went on to win first place in the advanced silks event at the 2025 Aerialympics in Kansas City, Missouri.

Mackayla’s dedication and achievements highlight the growing aerial arts community along Florida’s Space Coast — and demonstrate how local talent can shine on an international level.

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