PERUVIAN WOMEN’S RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS TEAM CONTINUES ITS PREPARATION FOR LIMA 2019

Rhythmic gymnastics must be one of the most attractive sports (due to its routine, movements and dance steps) that will be part of Lima 2019.

Carmen León, Camila Rodríguez, Flavia León, Aitana Orrego, and Georgina Vidal, together with coaches Dixon Morales and Maricela Rodríguez, are currently preparing to make Peru proud at the Pan American Games; a challenge as intense as the routines themselves. 

“In 2018, I took over as head coach and we made a strategy using the skills of each gymnast to have the best result in international events,” says Dixon Morales. 

In artistic gymnastics, body movement and handling of apparatuses are important, as well as to maintain harmony in the movements. The Peruvian team at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games will participate in two events: team, which consists of performing two routines with five balls, and mixed, performed with two pairs of clubs and three hoops.

Peru has been very consistent in this discipline during the last two years, even outperforming more experienced teams. “This year we competed at a South American championship in March and placed fourth, which means that the team has potential for the Games,” Dixon said.

The team is training four hours a day (from Monday to Saturday) and they are now in Brazil to optimize their performance. “This discipline is very competitive and demands many years of training. We’ve worked hard over the last two years and it’s a great responsibility for us to play a good role,” added Camila Rodríguez.

Aitana Orrego is 16 years old and is Ariana’s younger sister, who participated at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in artistic gymnastics competitions, and who will also participate in Lima 2019. She started practicing this discipline when she was very young, but “[I] stopped when I was 10. Then I tried rhythmic gymnastics and I totally fell in love with it, it’s my passion,” says Aitana.  

Rhythmic gymnastics competitions will take place at the Villa El Salvador Sports Center from August 2 to 5, and will be a memorable spectacle.

“The Sports Center is beautiful and has nothing to envy to any other sports facility. I know it will be very exciting to be there,” says Camila.

“We tell everyone to cheer for Peruvians because we’re locals and we have to be good hosts,” she said. 

To see rhythmic gymnastics competitions, buy your tickets at www.lima2019.pe/tickets or at any authorized point of sale across the city.