Azaraya Ra-Akbar Named SEC Gymnast of the Week
1/20/2026 12:00:00 PM | Gymnastics
The freshman accumulated a conference-leading 39.600 score in her all-around debut in week two to rank her second nationally
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama gymnast Azaraya Ra-Akbar was named the Southeastern Conference Gymnast of the Week, announced Tuesday by the league office.
Hailing from Baltimore, Md., the freshman posted the highest all-around score in the conference (39.600) during her all-around debut against the top-ranked Florida Gators. Ra-Akbar already holds the highest national average on the uneven bars (9.963) and sits tied for second in the all-around. Ra-Akbar served as anchor on Alabama's opening two rotations and earned consecutive scores of a 9.950 (uneven bars) and a 9.925 (vault), becoming the only SEC gymnast all week to post back-to-back scores of at least a 9.925 in anchor positions.
Azaraya Ra-Akbar – SEC Gymnast of the Week
- First career SEC weekly honor and the first UA gymnast to earn Gymnast of the Week recognition since Jan. 30, 2024
- Ranks as the top gymnast in the nation on the uneven bars with an average score of a 9.963
- Her 39.600 all-around total is tied for the second-highest total in the country
- Earned three event titles against Florida – vault (9.925), floor exercise (9.900) and all-around (39.600)
- Became one of only two SEC all-arounders (only freshman) to claim three event titles during the weekend
- Tied for the second-highest uneven bars score in the league (9.950), trailing only teammate Chloe LaCoursiere's career-high 9.975
- Recorded the second-highest floor score by an SEC freshman during week two
Players Mentioned
