Five-time gymnastics titleholder Varfolomeev makes a comeback as gymnastics champion again
In the world of rhythmic gymnastics, 18-year-old Darja Varfolomeev is making history. After a successful run at the 2023 German Championships, where she won gold in all five events, she continued her winning streak at the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro.
At the 2023 World Championships, Varfolomeev claimed gold in the all-around and every apparatus final (hoop, ball, clubs, ribbon), becoming the first rhythmic gymnast since Evgeniya Kanaeva in 2009—and the fourth ever—to claim all five world titles in a single championship. She also won gold in ribbon at the 2023 European Championships and several World Cup medals despite recovering from a December 2022 foot operation.
Varfolomeev's performances at the World Championships were impressive, with more than a one-point lead over the second-place finisher in each individual event. She also managed to break the 30-point barrier in three out of four events at the 2023 German Championships.
Team coach Isabell Sawade noted that the performances at the 2023 German Championships were world-class. Sawade also mentioned that the changed scoring rules result in lower scores compared to the previous Olympic cycle. Despite this, Varfolomeev's scores were exceptional, showcasing her skill and determination.
Notable performances at the 2023 World Championships included Margarita Kolosov (Potsdam) who finished second with the hoop and Anastasia Simakova (Schmiden) who won silver with the ribbon and clubs. Viktoria Steinfeld (Schmiden) also secured second place with the ball.
Looking ahead, Varfolomeev has set her sights on the 2024 Paris Olympics. As stated in her official FIG athlete profile and ambitions as of 2023/2024, she aims to compete at the Olympics. She has continued her strong performances, winning the Milan World Cup hoop final and leading in recent World Challenge Cups including Cluj Napoca in 2025.
With her impressive performances and Olympic aspirations, Varfolomeev is a gymnast to watch in the coming years. Her determination and skill are sure to make her a formidable competitor in the world of rhythmic gymnastics.
Darja Varfolomeev's success at the 2023 World Championships, where she earned gold in all five events, showcases her dominance in sports. In pursuit of her Olympic dreams, Varfolomeev continues to excel in sports competitions like the Milan World Cup and recent World Challenge Cups.
