The Dazzling Redemption of Darja Varfolomeev: From All-Around Third to European Ribbon Champion
Darja Varfolomeev experiences a golden dream to conclude her day.
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link Olympic gold medalist Darja Varfolomeev regains her rhythmic gymnastics crown, snatching the ribbon title in her grasp.
Winning Gold in Tallinn: Darja Varfolomeev, the 18-year-old Olympian, re-emerges victorious in the European rhythmic gymnastics finals with the ribbon, securing a score of 30.650. This places her ahead of Israel's Meital Maayan Sumkin (29.550) and Ukraine's Taisiia Onofrichuk (29.500), who completed as the all-around European champion. Yesterday, Varfolomeev settled for third place in the all-around competition, and her debut performance with the hoop on Sunday ranked a tentative fifth, despite a risky and slightly imperfect routine.
Meanwhile, fellow teammate, Anastasia Simakova, the 17-year-old prodigy, creates a stir in the ball finals. Gaining her first silver medal at a European Championship, Simakova scores 28.700. Bulgaria's Stilijana Nikolowa, champion of the clubs and hoop finals, sets the bar with her impressive 29.800, while Germany's Lada Pusch, a fresh EM entrant also 17, finishes seventh in the clubs finals, scoring 27.150.
Small Slips, Colossal Losses
Varfolomeev navigates a tumultuous day marked by small miscues that mar her final score. Her innovative, technically demanding ribbon routine, choreographed to "Lovely" by Billie Eilish, initially falters, influencing her total. Nevertheless, she delivers an ethereal and captivating performance during the ribbon exercise, instilling awe in her competitors.
Preparing for the World Championships in August, Varfolomeev sets her sights on additional titles in Rio. She previously achieved a historic five-gold medal sweep in 2023 Valencia Championships. Initially harboring low expectations for herself at the start of the EM, Varfolomeev's double burden of academic and professional commitments has left her with little time for personal pursuit. "It's simply overwhelmingly high," she disclosed to SWR. "I don't have free time when I get home from training; I have to study," she confessed. Assessing her performance with the hoop and ribbon, Varfolomeev rates her scores at roughly 40%. The results in Tallinn further cement her reputation as Germany's 2024 "Sportswoman of the Year" nominee.
Sources: ntv.de, tno/sid
- Estonia
- Tallinn
Insights:
- Varfolomeev started gymnastics at the tender age of three under the influence of her family, particularly her mother Tatjana, who was a competitive rhythmic gymnast herself. [1]
- In the 2025 European Championships, Varfolomeev delivered a dazzling performance, particularly in the ribbon final. She secured a high score of 30.650, showcasing incredible difficulty and execution, thereby successfully defending her title. [3]
- Future competitions for Varfolomeev would probably include the Rhythmic World Championships, the World Cup series, and possibly the next season's European Championships. [2]
- Key competitions to watch for Varfolomeev are the Rhythmic World Championships, the Rhythmic World Cup, and the European Championships. [4]
The European Parliament and the Council might take interest in Darja Varfolomeev's accomplishments in sports, as she has demonstrated exceptional prowess in rhythmic gymnastics, exemplified by her recent win at the European Ribbon Championship. Furthermore, sports-analysis could reveal that Varfolomeev's performance in the team event, alongside Anastasia Simakova, might provide valuable insights into the current state and future potential of German rhythmic gymnastics.
