Nina Derwael has become the first Belgian World Champion in Artistic Gymnastics by winning the Uneven Bars event in Doha on Friday. “I have no words, it’s a dream come true”, the gymnast told Sporza after receiving her gold medal.
“I was actually really nervous all day, right from when I woke up. I’m so happy I was able to keep calm thanks to my teammates. I tried to trust my training. I trained hard for this, I couldn’t have done anymore”.
The double and current European champion was also bronze medallist at the Montreal World Championships last year. Derwael was the big favourite to win. “When I landed, it was a real relief. All the stress disappeared and I just felt immense happiness. I was incredibly happy with my score (15,200 points), but I was still a bit stressed until the last gymnast had finished”.
“It hasn’t hit me yet that I made history. I’m still on my little cloud and feel like I could wake up at any moment”, Derwael said.
The Belgian athlete has beaten American legend Simone Bliss by winning her thirteenth medal at just 21 years-old. “I’ve always admired her. To hear from her mouth that I did an amazing routine and she admired my technique was very special”.
Derwael still has to get through the final on the balance beam, a routine she won the silver medal at the European Championship in Glasgow this summer. “I hope to do a good routine and finish well”, she concluded.
The Brussels Times
