Duchaine: Namibia’s first at Junior World Champs

Namibia’s rhythmic gymnastics sensation Kayla Duchaine (14) is making history as the country’s first junior to compete at the third edition of the Junior World Championships.The CambriLearn Online School pupil departed on Sunday to participate in the prestigious International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) tournament, taking place in Sofia, Bulgaria, from Wednesday to Sunday.She was selected to compete in the biennial global competition by the Namibian Gymnastics Federation (NGF) after her exceptional performance at the rhythmic gymnastics national trials in April, held by the federation in Windhoek.Duchaine will be accompanied by experienced Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics coach Eleonora Karamfilova, along with NGF rhythmic section coordinator and FIG-certified judge Britt Adonis-Byl.The Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation website confirmed that Duchaine will be competing against a total of 370 gymnasts from a record 70 nations.‘A true privilege’Speaking to this publication about being the country’s first participant at the tournament, Duchaine was all smiles, calling it “a true privilege and something she has worked hard for.”“I feel incredibly proud, excited and deeply blessed to represent my country [at these prestigious championships]. I am filled with enthusiasm, joy and so much gratitude towards everyone who has supported me on this journey,” she remarked.Duchaine will first go through the qualifications for the individual apparatus on Wednesday and Thursday, where the top eight in each apparatus – hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon – will advance to the apparatus finals to be held on Sunday.The Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation called it a fantastic finale in which the future “stars” of the sport, including potential Los Angeles 2028 Olympians, will take the spotlight.AccomplishmentsCompeting in the individual competition, Duchaine has been a standout national athlete and has had numerous international rhythmic gymnastics successes over the years.Some include a silver medal in hoop at the 2024 Happy Cup held in Belgium, along with fourth-place finishes in ribbon, hoop and ball, with a respectable sixth place in clubs.At Rwanda’s 2024 African Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, she recorded Namibia’s strongest junior performance when she led the ensemble by reaching apparatus finals in hoop, ball and clubs, finishing fifth in each and placing seventh in ribbon.Advice from Olympic championThe FIG yesterday took to social media to ask some of the rhythmic stars and champions to advise participating gymnasts at the Junior World Championships.Germany’s Olympic champion Darja Varfolomeev (18) expressed pride in the participants: “This is a huge moment in your career and you should be proud of how far you have come already.“Trust yourself, focus on your own performance and enjoy every moment on the carpet. No matter the result, this experience will make you stronger. Believe in your training and let your passion shine.”- mariud@nsh.com.na

Duchaine: Namibia’s first at Junior World Champs

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Republikein 2025-06-17

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Duchaine: Namibia’s first at Junior World Champs

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