Darja Varfolomeev Shines at World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships with Dual Gold Wins

Darja Varfolomeev of Germany sparkled on the opening day of the individual apparatus finals at the 2023 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships held in Valencia, Spain on August 23rd.

Creating history, the 16-year-old secured dual gold medals, becoming the first German gymnast to achieve this feat in both the hoop and ball events.

Varfolomeev initiated her triumph by claiming the hoop gold with a remarkable score of 35.750, surpassing Italy’s Sofia Raffaeli (35.250) who settled for second place. Hungary’s Fanni Pigniczki clinched the third position with a score of 34.050.

Continuing her momentum, Varfolomeev continued to shine in the ball final, once again outshining defending champion Raffaeli. She earned her second title of the day with a score of 35.800, leapfrogging Bulgaria’s Stiliana Nikolova.

Even after matching her qualifier score, Nikolova, who celebrated her 18th birthday just a day earlier, appeared poised to secure the gold medal. However, Varfolomeev’s stellar performance propelled her to the top of the rankings, leaving Raffaeli with the silver medal and a score of 35.200.

Varfolomeev’s outstanding achievements indicate her potential to dethrone Raffaeli as the dominant gymnast of the championships. In the previous year’s edition, Raffaeli clinched five out of six possible gold medals.

In 2022, Varfolomeev also demonstrated her prowess at the World Championships, securing second place in the all-around category. Additionally, she earned a complete set of individual medals across three apparatus: gold in clubs, silver in ribbon, and bronze in ball.

The World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships 2023 schedule is as follows:

Thursday, 24 August:

• 9:30-19:42 – Individual qualification, clubs and ribbon
• 21:00-22:22 – Individual finals, clubs and ribbon

Friday, 25 August:

• 16:00-19:36 – Group all-around competition, 5 hoops and 3 ribbons + 2 balls

Saturday, 26 August:

• 15:00-19:54 – Individual all-around final

Sunday, 27 August:

• 16:00-17:43 – Group apparatus finals, 5 hoops and 3 ribbons + 2 balls

Fans can enjoy the finals, which offer direct quota spots for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, via livestream on the Olympic Channel, with streaming provided by the International Gymnastics Federation as well.