Six 13-Year-Old RG Stars from Bremen Aim to Shine Internationally
German gymnastics prodigies participate in European Championships and World Championships, representing their nation.
A crew of six 13-year-old prodigies, hailing from the gymnastics club Bremen 1860, are making waves in the rhythmic gymnastics (RG) world. The junior group, consisting of Stella Quint, Victorija Gataullin, Anna-Lena Salokhina, Anabel Anthi Nguyen, Lina Reiswich, and Nayla Koppenstein Trigo, has been slaying competitive fields across Germany. Now, they're gunning for international acclaim.
Last year, these young gymnasts stomped the junior performance class, earning them the gold medal and the recognition of the German Gymnastics Federation (DTB). With this nod, they were inducted into the national team of their age group in December.
Come June, the European Championships in Tallinn (Estonia) and the World Championships in Sofia (Bulgaria) lie within their grasp. Taking the stage for Germany on an international platform feels like a mini Olympic adventure for the talented 13-year-old Anabel Anthi Nguyen: "It's a massive honor for us. We can't wait!"
Not only is the local RG site of Bremen thrilled, but they've only managed to send a junior national group twice since 1991. Beaming with pride, coach Birgit Passern can't help but feel the weight of the opportunity: "Normally, we only compete for Bremen, but now it's for the whole of Germany. Holy shit, it's quite something."
Sweat, Sweat, and More Sweat
The pre-tournament workload piles high: wake up, train, school, train again, homework, and then bedtime—all while maintaining positivity. Anna-Lena Salokhina, one of the group's members, understands the demands, but finds motivation in the fun they're having: "It's tough, but as long as it's fun, you get used to it."
Coaches Birgit Passern and Irina Hermansky-Pfennig are hard at work, guiding the girls through up to nine training sessions a week. Their major focus this season involves learning new choreographies with clubs and hoops, a challenging endeavor requiring strength, endurance, coordination, timing, and stellar teamwork.
Working as a team is key, especially on tough days. During grueling practices, the other girls lift each other up, their collective cheer powering them through the hardships. "Teamwork is essential. When one falters, the others lift them up with their own spirit. It's a beautiful dynamic," Coach Passern explains.
Parental and School Support
The girls' academic and athletic achievements wouldn't be possible without the support of their parents and school. Three of the six girls attend the sports-oriented high school at Ronzelenstraße, making the delicate balance between sports and studies that much more achievable. In spite of the demanding schedules, these talented young athletes and their supportive community continue to rise to the challenge.
As the European Championships in Tallinn and the World Championships in Sofia approach, the spotlight only grows brighter on Bremen's 13-year-old RG prodigies. They're ready to shine and put their skills on the line, eager to show the world what they're made of.
Bremer and sports are intertwined in the context of rhythmic gymnastics, as the six 13-year-old prodigies from the gymnastics club Bremen 1860 are honing their skills with the aim of making a mark in the sports world. They are diligently preparing for international competitions, including the European Championships in Tallinn and the World Championships in Sofia.
