The French Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships concluded recently, showcasing talent across multiple age groups. While the Paris 2024 Olympics saw Germany and China secure their first-ever Olympic gold medals in the sport, the domestic French competition highlighted emerging gymnasts and established champions.
National A Competition
In the 18-and-over category, Mélany Duval of Calais GRS secured her 9th consecutive national title with a score of 44.216. Louise Balzer (Strasbourg G.R.S) and Mia Manuse (AEB Gym Chambéry) followed, earning silver and bronze respectively with scores of 43.982 and 43.016. Notably, Azra Yalaza (Ilets Sports Montluçonnais), competing as a foreign national, won the competition with an impressive 47.915 points.
Céleste Verdonck, representing Villeneuve d’Ascq Rythme et sport Lille Métropole, claimed gold in the 17-year-old division, achieving a score of 40.831. Luna Morrongiello (Espérance Pfastatt) took silver with 38.382, and Emilie Janssen (GRS Paris Centre) secured the bronze medal with 38.249 points.
The 16-year-old category saw Lola Manuse of AEB Gym Chambéry crowned champion with a score of 42.481, surpassing Amélie Knepfler (Strasbourg G.R.S) and Laly Pouvreaux (Union Hoerdt).
The competition was particularly close in the 15-year-old division, with Jade Soula (Rythmique club Comté de Foix-Montgailhard) winning gold with 39.516 points. Tayla Bouchekout and Yelisaveta Shapovalova, both from GRS Paris centre, finished closely behind, earning silver and bronze with scores of 39.232 and 39.082 respectively.
Pauline Seredkin (Strasbourg G.R.S) dominated the 14-year-old category, finishing nearly two points ahead of Lylou Viassone (Fertoise et Maissoise GRFM). Yen-nhi Nguyen (Strasbourg GRS) completed the podium.
Among the youngest competitors, Rose Dauton (Belfort Gymnastique) was crowned champion in the 13-year-old division with a score of 38.215. Elisa Gérard (Sporting Club Olympique Collois – Gymnastique Rythmique) won gold in the 12-year-old category, scoring 35.265. Thelma Isselin (GRS Paris Centre) secured the gold medal in the 11-year-old division with 42.849 points, and Adria Le Rouvillois (Association Thionville Gymnastique Rythmique et Sportive) was crowned champion in the 10-year-old category with 38.750 points.
National B Competition
Laureline Barras (Ecully GR et GFL) emerged victorious in the 18-and-over category of the National B competition, achieving a score of 38.749. Lou-Anne Neusch (Les Edelweiss de Cosnes et Romain) and Gaelle Sauder (Allobroge Annecy) followed, earning 38.183 and 37.649 points respectively.
Anastasia Jariashvili (Cercle Paul Bert) claimed the top spot in the 17-year-old division with a score of 37.299. Jade Roche (Ilets Sports Montluçonnais) won the 16-year-old category.
Sumiré Araki (Coquelicot Toulouse Gym) secured gold in the 15-year-old division with a score of 37.332. The Union Hoerdt team demonstrated strength in the younger age groups, with Margaux Boehler winning the 14-year-old category (35.799 points) and Lise Hammer taking gold in the 13-year-old division (37.832 points). Naomi Paulin (Association Sportive Béziers Gymnastique & sports acrobatiques) won the 12-year-old category with a score of 37.682.
In the youngest age groups, Noemi Omedei (Mions Gymnastique Rythmique) won the 11-year-old category with 37.899 points, and Lise Legrand Rivoal (Fertoise et Maissoise GRFM) was crowned champion in the 10-year-old category with 37.332 points.
These championships follow the recent conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where Germany’s Darja Varfolomeev secured gold in the individual all-around competition, marking the nation’s first Olympic gold in rhythmic gymnastics. The People’s Republic of China also achieved a historic first, winning gold in the group all-around final. Italy secured bronze in the group all-around, and Sofia Raffaeli took bronze in the individual all-around competition, while Bulgaria’s Boryana Kaleyn earned silver.
The French Championships, organized by the French Gymnastics Federation, serve as a crucial platform for identifying and nurturing the next generation of rhythmic gymnasts, building on the momentum generated by the international stage of the Olympic Games. The results demonstrate a strong base of talent within France, with several gymnasts consistently achieving high scores and multiple titles.
