Wakim continues Australia’s moguls momentum in Airolo
Published Mon 23 Mar 2026
Kareema Wakim has led Australia’s moguls results at the 2026 FIS Freestyle Junior World Championships in Airolo, Switzerland, producing the nation’s strongest performance in more than a decade.
The 19-year-old recorded two top six finishes across moguls and dual moguls, continuing her progression on the international stage.
In the women’s moguls event, Wakim qualified eighth with a score of 60.84 to advance to the finals. She lifted her performance in Final 1, posting 62.20 to finish sixth and secure a place in the top six for Final 2.
Despite recording the strongest air score in Final 2, Wakim was unable to replicate her earlier run, scoring 41.51 to finish sixth overall.
The result marks Australia’s best moguls performance at a Junior World Championships since two-time Olympian Taylah O’Neill placed fifth in 2012.
Wakim backed up her individual result with another strong showing in the dual moguls event.
After receiving a bye in the opening round, she edged Erika Ruiz Lopez of Spain 18-17 in the round of 32 before producing a dominant 35-0 win over Yuliya Feklistova in the 1/8 final.
Her run came to an end in the quarter-finals with a 13-22 loss to Riko Nonobe, with Wakim finishing sixth overall.
The result ranks as Australia’s third-best dual moguls performance at a Junior World Championships, behind Ramone Cooper (fourth in 2007) and Davina Williams (fourth in 2003).
Xanthia Coote also represented Australia across both events.
In moguls, Coote qualified 26th, 10 places adrift of progressing to the finals.
She returned for the dual moguls event, receiving a bye in the opening round before a narrow 17-18 loss to Kazakhstan’s Valeria Volovikova in the round of 32 to finish 17th overall.
Coote entered the championships in strong form, having claimed her first Nor-Am Cup victory earlier this season at Apex Mountain in Canada and finishing sixth in the overall standings.
Wakim and Coote’s performances continue Australia’s strong run of international results in moguls following Cooper Woods and Jakara Anthony’s gold medals at Milano Cortina 2026.
