Gold, three silvers and bronze: That’s the incredible World Cup record of the only 15-year-old gymnast Darja Varfolomeev from TSV Schmiden. Now the student is back in her adopted Swabian home and still can’t quite believe her luck.
It’s been almost a week since her big coup. But she still can’t believe that “Dascha”, as Darja Varfolomeev is called by her teammates, is now world champion. “I haven’t understood it yet. I just didn’t think that I would be first at the World Championships,” said the 15-year-old shortly after her return to the Olympic base in Fellbach-Schmiden near Stuttgart.
Gymnast Darja Varfolomeev wins five medals at World Championships in Sofia
In addition to her clubs title, Varfolomeev has won four other medals at the World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria: Silver in the all-around, with the ball and in the team competition and bronze with the hoop. It is the greatest German success in gymnastics since Carmen Rischer’s gold medal at the 1975 World Championships in Madrid.
So the big hype about her is understandable. Darja answers the many press inquiries patiently and with a permanent grin on her face at the media day that was organized without further ado at the federal base in Schmiden. “It’s fun that more people are now interested in rhythmic gymnastics,” says the native Russian.
For a career in competitive sports: moving from Sibieren to Schmiden
In February 2019, Darja Varfolomeev moved from Sibiren to Schmiden at the age of twelve – for a career in competitive sports. Because the competition in the Russian team is big. Varfolomeev did not see a chance for himself there. So she decided to come to Germany, the home of her grandfather Alexander.
This courageous step has now paid off, the world title is the reward for the deprivation and hard work of the past few years: Darja trains every day for several hours after school. Only Sundays are free. The 44 kilogram light bundle of energy is always supported by its parents.
They now also live in Germany and, together with Darja’s grandmother, accompanied her to the World Cup in Sofia. “Only my grandfather sat here in Germany and experienced it all alone,” says the world champion. “But he was also very happy and even cried a little,” adds Darja with a smile.
Olympic ticket already secured
After this time, which was very emotional for everyone, Darja can now take a breather and at least shift down a gear in training. But the ambitious top gymnast won’t get bored. “Somehow I feel like going to school now. I haven’t been there for a long time,” says the ninth grader.
Very soon Darja wants to focus on sports again. After all, she has a big goal in mind with the 2024 Olympic Games. She has already secured the ticket for Paris thanks to her strong World Cup performance. “I want to go there, get to the final and show my best,” says the newly crowned world champion. Until then, Darja wants to add more difficulties to her exercises. So she wants to “try to come back from Paris with a medal.”
