Tisha Volleman is only 23 years old, but already very experienced. She hopes to qualify for the sixth time for the World Championship gymnastics in the coming weeks. A conversation about performing in the world top, the Olympic Games and the turmoil surrounding Dutch gymnastics. “It was certainly not an easy time, but I came out stronger.”
Tisha’s focus has been on the World Cup for quite some time. In Antwerp, a place in the first twelve countries results in an Olympic ticket. The Olympic Games in Paris are at the top of Tisha’s wish list. Especially since she was missing during the last two Games.
“I hope that Paris 2024 will become a reality.”
“For Rio de Janeiro 2016 I was the last to drop out and I stayed home as a reserve. Very sour, because I would have loved to be there. After 2016, they decided to take the reserve to the Games from now on. For Tokyo I fell out of that group at the last minute. Paris 2024 is my dream, I hope it will come true.”
Earlier this year she participated in the FISU World University Games in China, which she sees as a preview of Paris. “It was my first time participating in a multi-sport event. So many athletes from various sports, but all with the aim of performing as well as possible. There was something magical about coming together in an athletes’ village.”
Performing well at the World Cup is therefore important, but it is not that far yet. The first of the two qualifying rounds will start on Saturday, in which the gymnasts will compete for five places in the Dutch team. “The level is very close together. A thin line, where exercises can be just good or just not good enough. In any case, I train hard to be as good as possible at important tournaments. If I am in the team, I can handle all parts as a heptathlete.”
“I feel the support of the team.”
Both individually and in the team, Tisha has a lot of experience at major tournaments. Playing for the Dutch team always gives her extra strength. “Of course, as a gymnast you are only working on a device during a competition. But I am committed to the team and I feel the support of the others.”
Tisha is busy with top sport day in and day out. She trains hard, watches her diet and takes enough rest. Mentally she feels stronger than ever. No matter how annoying, the basis for this lies in a troubled period in 2020 when an investigation was launched into cross-border behavior of several coaches. Sports association KNGU even temporarily pulled the plug from the top sports program.
“It was an uncertain time.”
“As a gymnast I have never experienced anything unpleasant. However, it was an uncertain time after the decision of the association about the top sports program. Then when the corona pandemic came, I had a lot of time to think about my career. I enjoy improving myself.”
The negativity has left Tisha behind. “As top athletes, we focus on the sporting. By performing well with this team, we want to put gymnastics back on the map in a positive way.”