The Newton Press

She's Beauty, She's Grace

Article Written By Liv Benedetto Coro

The name 'rhythmic gymnast' will spark interest to those who have recently heard of this unique, blended and influenced sport. Rhythmic gymnastics is a mix of dance, music and drama which creates a routine. A rhythmic gymnastic routine emphasizes on dance-like sequences accentuated with the use of ribbons, hoops and balls. The sport has been showcased on many government-sponsored organisations such as the Olympics which have featured Anna Bessonova (60 medals total) and Irina Tchachina (27 medals total), which have both won 2 Olympic medals.

Sounds exciting doesn't it? We, as LAUDE Newton College, are pleased to say that we have three rhythmic gymnasts currently enrolled in our school: Maria Fuster (Year 7), Sofia Niñoles (Year 8), and Laura Ballesta (Year 11). These rhythmic gymnasts have travelled to Valladolid, Spain to compete against 200 other Spanish teams.

I interviewed Laura in person on this exciting competition and how rhythmic gymnastics has shaped her as a student and person.

This is Laura Obrero- fifteen years old, Newton College student and Club Chamara rhythmic gymnast.

Laura was born in the Hospital General Universitario de Elche in 2001. She enrolled into Newton College with the age of four, starting at Year 1. Her brother Jose-Manuel Obrero Ballesta, also enrolls at Newton as a Year 9 student. She attended a local art academy in Elche back in 2012 where she spent time practicing and working on her paintings and drawings but she quit in 2014. She then took piano lessons. However, piano lessons and her days spent in the art academy really took up her schedule. She fixed on one of her hobbies and that became rhythmic gymnastics.

I asked her further questions about her career in rhythmic gymnastics.

When did you start doing rhythmic gymnastics?

I started rhythmic gymnastics when I was six years old, in 2011.

When did you join Club Chamara?

I joined Club Chamara when I was 12 back in 2013.

Were you born flexible?

No, I wasn't born flexible. I gained my flexibility with lots of training - over time.

Before competitions and practices, do you warm-up? If so, how?

We warm up by stretching during practices. The warm up's last from 5 to 8:30 PM. On weekends, we have small competitions in our clubs- not competing with community teams but within our own.

Do you exercise or do personal training?

I don't. I only train when I'm with my team and at the club.

Do you have a diet to keeping your body healthy, fit and in shape?

I don't have a structured diet, but I keep to eating healthy on a daily basis. I preferably like pasta, because it's really tasty and it keeps me energised for training. I also like salad- and I combine pasta with salad sometimes to make myself pasta salad. That's also really good.

I asked her questions about the competition in Valladolid.

Which rhythmic gymnastic team are you in?

I am in Club Chamara, an Elche team.

On this Valladolid competition, was it hard to be selected? How were you selected? Why?

To be chosen for the competition, we went through a classification where we were tested on our skills- as a whole team. We did the classifications with teams from our community- the Valencian community. This made it more competitive for classifications. The chosen team would be able to go to Valladolid to compete. We were accepted through classifications and now me and my team are so happy to be competing in Valladolid!

How many girls are on your team?

We have seven girls- but for the competition they may select up to 5 to 6 girls.

Where did you compete in Valladolid?

Since we have lots of teams from everywhere in Spain, we have to compete in a large space. It's usually a very big gym with a big platform for performances.

Are there specific age groups in rhythmic gymnastics?

Yes, of course. Me and my team are Cadetes and the teams are sorted out (every age), by skills and abilites. So in one age group there is Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced.

How do/did you captivate the attention of the audience and judges? What is the key?

Each team has to perform a routine made up by themselves. We have to choose what objects to use in the routine such as hoops, ribbons and balls. We practice a gymnastic dance-like routine sequence accompanied with instrumental soundtrack or song. We use the objects to throw them around and 'play' with them. We have to be flexible, and be able to hold a pose before moving on in the sequence. Flexibility may include pivots and spins. The key to winning, or capturing the attention of our audience is to portray originality (in costumes, music, dance, routine, object-use).