Darja Varfolomeev, who was born in West Siberia almost 16 years ago, won the first world championship title in rhythmic gymnastics since 1975 for the German Gymnastics Federation. “She has nerves of steel,” enthuses her coach. Things are looking pretty good for the 2024 Olympics.
Darja Varfolomeev owes the fact that she was able to win Germany’s first world championship title in rhythmic gymnastics after 47 years to her remarkable training diligence, her extraordinary talent – and her mother. “Because of her, I also have a German passport. And that’s why the two of us came to Germany three years ago,” said the 15-year-old before her sporting high at the World Championships in Sofia. There she won a total of five medals – including gold with the clubs and silver in the all-around.
“It’s a very nice moment for me and for all of Germany,” said Varfolomeev. “I’m glad I got through all the devices and made it. I can’t say more because my feelings have reached the highest point.”
The gymnast, who was born in Barnaul in western Siberia, secured a quota place for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris for the German Gymnastics Federation (DTB). Second places with the ball and the team and bronze with the ribbon rounded off the outstanding performance.
“Darja has nerves of steel,” praised team boss Isabell Sawade: “The fact that we have a quota place for Paris so early after missing out on qualifying for the Tokyo games is a huge success, which is extremely good for the whole team and shows that we are on the right track.”
Varfolomeev’s father, her brother and the family dog ??have meanwhile found their way to Germany. Together with their mother and the exceptional gymnast they live in Fellbach near Stuttgart. Only the paternal grandparents stayed in Siberia. And yet they take a big part in their granddaughter’s path to success. Varfolomeev: “Before every competition I call my grandma so that she knows exactly when to keep her fingers crossed.”
Varfolomeev is not only evasive about the situation of her former training colleagues in connection with the Russian attack on Ukraine because of the remaining problems with the German language, there are no direct contacts because of the ban on starting: “I read that they are doing badly – but that’s the way it is.”
