Azaraya Ra-Akbar Joins Crimson Tide’s 2025 Signing Class

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – 2023 Elite Canada floor exercise champion Azaraya Ra-Akbar is set to join the Alabama gymnastics program in the fall as part of this year's signing class.

Prior noteworthy accomplishments include a top-three finish on the balance beam at the 2021 Nastia Liukin Cup and another bronze medal performance on the floor exercise at the 2022 Winter Cup.

The Toronto, Ontario, native joins an excellent, incoming freshmen class that includes Jasmine Cawley and McKenzie Matters. The pair was announced in November, kickstarting Alabama's 2025 Signing Class announcement.

Head Coach Ashley Johnston Said

"We are proud to welcome Azaraya into our Alabama family. She joins a great group of 2025s and will be able to fit right into the culture we've established here as a program. Along with Jasmine (Cawley) and McKenzie (Matters), our entire 2025 signing class brings both a fierce and joyful approach to their respective craft that will be instrumental towards our continued pursuit of excellence. We look forward to seeing the positive impacts they will make on our program, both individually and collectively, and we cannot wait for the three of them to arrive to Tuscaloosa next fall."

Azaraya Ra-Akbar | 5-3 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Kitchener Waterloo Gymnastics | All-Around

The daughter of Marcia and Jubael Ra-Akbar
Competes for Jubael Ra-Akbar at Kitchener Waterloo Gymnastics
2023 Elite Canada floor exercise champion
2022 Winter Cup bronze medalist on the floor exercise
Captured three top-10 finishes (floor, bars, all-around) at the 2021 U.S. Gymnastics Championships
Top-three finisher on the balance beam at the 2021 Nastia Liukin Cup

University of Alabama Athletics