Boryana Kaleyn – mastering the beauty of Rhythmic Gymnastics
The SUPPORTER Olympic Women’s campaign celebrates notable women athletes who have proudly represented or will represent their nations in the Olympic games. These athletes have made significant contributions to their respective sports and are powerful role models in this field.
An excellent inspiration is Boryana Kaleyn, a rhythmic gymnast who exemplifies the dedication and sacrifice required for this sport.
The fact that female athletes in rhythmic gymnastics begin their sports careers at an incredibly young age is often overlooked. By the time they are 4 years old, much of their free time is already dedicated to the gym. If they’re lucky, their careers might last until their 30s, but many face early retirement due to injuries. Years of intense physical demands leave their bodies and minds with lasting scars.
After the Tokyo Games, Boryana considered quitting due to mounting injuries and criticism about her age, yet she found the strength to continue. Despite these obstacles, her determination paid off when she won another gold medal at the 2023 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Valencia. Boryana's perseverance also led her to win a silver medal in rhythmic gymnastics at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her journey has been closely intertwined with her coach, Maria Pamukova, who has guided her from the start of her career. Even after reaching the elite level, Boryana chose to stay with Maria, showing loyalty and trust in their partnership.
In rhythmic gymnastics, women greatly outnumber men, yet an intersectional lens uncovers deeper challenges. Discrimination based on appearance, age, disability, and the physical and mental strain of overwork are all too common. Boryana Kaleyn’s incredible success, despite battling age-related criticism and injuries, showcases the determination and strength required to overcome these obstacles. Her journey is a true testament to resilience, passion, and perseverance. Among her achievements:
Olympic Games
- 2024 Paris:
- Silver Medal – All-Around
World Championships
- 2023 Valencia:
- Gold Medal – Team
- Silver Medal – Clubs
- Silver Medal – Ribbon
- 2018 Sofia:
- Silver Medal – Team
European Championships
- 2024 Budapest:
- Gold Medal – Team
- Gold Medal – Hoop
- Bronze Medal – Clubs
- 2023 Baku:
- Gold Medal – All-Around
- Gold Medal – Team
- Bronze Medal – Hoop
- Silver Medal – Clubs
- 2022 Tel Aviv:
- Gold Medal – Team
- Gold Medal – Ball
- Gold Medal – Ribbon
- Silver Medal – All-Around
- Bronze Medal – Hoop
- 2021 Varna:
- Silver Medal – All-Around
- 2019 Baku:
- Bronze Medal – Team
- Bronze Medal – Ball
- Bronze Medal – Ribbon
World Games
- 2022 Birmingham:
- Gold Medal – Hoop
- Silver Medal – Ribbon
European Cup
- 2024 Baku:
- Gold Medal – Ball
- Gold Medal – Ribbon
- Silver Medal – Hoop
Authors: Boryana Angelova-Igova, NSA
Licensed image from: FloweringDagwood, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Featured image from: FloweringDagwood, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Sources:
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
