The Portuguese gymnast Rita Araújo, specialist in hoops, can make «the national anthem sound» at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup, which runs from today, May 5th, until Sunday, at the Portimão Arena pavilion, in this city, with admission free.
The young Portuguese gymnast won two gold medals at the recent International Tournament of the sport, which also took place in Portimão, from April 30th to May 2nd. Now, at the World Cup, despite facing competition from some of the strongest athletes in the world, there is hope that she can once again make a splash.
«We were able to hear the national anthem twice in the International Tournament, we hope that in the World Cup this will also happen», said Catarina Leandro, vice-president of the Portuguese Gymnastics Federation, at the press conference to present the competition, which took place yesterday place.
«We expect her to go at least to the finals, I don't know if she will reach the podium», added that person in charge.
Anyway, the truth is that the level of rhythmic gymnastics in Portugal is increasing. The modality is “growing”, according to the President of the Federation. «Last week, we had two first places, something that hasn't happened for a long time». And «we returned to bet on the sets, seniors and juniors», added Luís Arrais.
For this increase in the quality of rhythmic gymnastics in our country, Portimão has made a good contribution, either by investing in international competitions in the sport, or by supporting local clubs that train young athletes.
«At this moment, Portimão is a reference city in national and international rhythmic gymnastics», guaranteed the President of the Federation.
Isilda Gomes, mayor of Portimonense, highlighted the commitment that this municipality has made in the development of the sport, for many years. «Today there are several associations practicing the sport with fantastic vigour», she guaranteed.
In fact, as Teresa Mendes, councilor for Sports, revealed, there are now three clubs, in Portimão, Alvor and Mexilhoeira Grande and «200 athletes of various age groups» practicing rhythmic gymnastics.
All this means that there are gymnasts from Portimonense in the Portuguese teams, although none of them have played in this World Cup yet.
In the event, 132 gymnasts from five continents, 13 countries and 74 athletes in the sets and 32 countries and 54 athletes in the individual competition are present.
In the sets, big names are present, including Italy (3rd place in the 2020 Olympic Games, held the following year), Brazil (1st place in the 2022 Pan American Games), Spain (3rd place in the ranked at the 2022 World Championship), Azerbaijan (ranked 3rd with the Ribbon and Balls exercise at the 2022 World Championship) and Japan (medaled team at the 2019 World Championship).
On an individual basis, Catarina Leandro highlighted the participation of the Italian Alexandra Agiurgiuculese (medaled in the finals of the World Championship in 2018, participant in the 2020 Olympic Games and 6th in the European Championship in 2019), Zohra Aghamirova, Olympic gymnast from Azerbaijan, Darja Varfalomev (from Germany, world runner-up in 2022 and winner of the 2022 edition of the Portimão World Cup), the also German Margarita Kolosov (all-around finalist of the World Championship and the European Championship 2021 and 2022), the Mexicans Karla Diaz and Marina Malpica (regulars at the Portimão World Cup), as well as North American Evita Griskenas (Pan American medalist and participant in the 2020 Olympic Games).
In addition to Rita Araújo and Joana Pinheiro, who competed individually, the Portimão World Cup represents the debut of the Portuguese group, made up of Catarina Dias, Clara Paiva, Beatriz Freitas, Clara Melo, Felicia Oprea and Bruna Simões, who started the work in 2022 with the aim of preparing the European Championship, which will take place from 17 to 21 May in Baku, Azerbaijan.
In addition to the sporting aspect and the spectacle for those who want to attend (entrance is free), the mayor underlined the economic return that this type of international competition brings to the municipality.
Asked about the size of the entourage, the vice-president of the Gymnastics Federation replied that «each foreign gymnast involves an average of five companions, including technicians, medical personnel and family members, and the national community will converge en masse to Portimão during this weekend week, which is very significant if we take into account that at present there are 30 clubs with rhythmic gymnastics».
«This is certainly the best event, chosen by the best gymnasts», summarized Catarina Leandro.
Always with free admission, the competition starts at 10:30 am this Friday, May 5th, with hoop and ball exercises.
At 18:20, the opening ceremony will take place, followed, at 18:50, by the competitions of five hoops, in sets.
On Saturday, May 6th, the apples and ribbon competition starts at 10:30 am and at 18:35 pm the three ribbons and two balls competition will start, in sets.
On the last day, Sunday, the finals are scheduled for 15 pm, with live broadcast on RTP00.
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