Brazil’s next generation of gymnastic stars delivered a stunning performance at the 2024 South American Junior Artistic Gymnastics Championship, held this past week in Lima, Peru, claiming 12 gold medals and the overall team title in both the men’s and women’s categories.
With standout routines, technical precision, and poise beyond their years, the young Brazilian athletes proved they are not only continental leaders — but rising contenders for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, set to be held in Dakar, Senegal.
A Complete Team Effort
Led by head coaches Camila Comin (women) and Diego Hypólito (men), Brazil dominated nearly every apparatus across the U14 and U16 divisions.
Highlights from the competition:
- Eduardo Martins (U16): Gold in men’s all-around, vault, and floor, with a dazzling 14.200 on floor exercise.
- Isabela Rocha (U14): Double gold in beam and floor, earning a standing ovation with her expressive choreography and difficulty level.
- Lucas Bento (U14): Surprise gold in pommel horse, showing elite-level control for his age.
- Team Brazil (both genders): Top scores in team finals, outscoring Argentina and Colombia by wide margins.
Camila Comin, a former Olympian, emphasized the athletes’ discipline and mindset:
“They’re still learning, but they already think and train like professionals. This generation is very special.”
Building Toward Dakar 2026
The Brazilian Gymnastics Confederation (CBG) views the South American Championship as a key milestone in the Olympic development pipeline. With several athletes already meeting technical criteria for Youth Olympic qualification, the federation has begun a focused preparation program that includes:
- International exchange camps with France and Italy later this year.
- Specialized coaching for artistry and execution, especially on beam and bars.
- Mental coaching to build emotional readiness for international competition.
- Expanded athlete support in nutrition, physiotherapy, and academic tutoring.
CBG President Henrique Motta stated:
“What we saw in Lima was not only dominance — it was potential for global success. These athletes could very well represent Brazil at Dakar and even Los Angeles in the future.”
Community Roots and Access
Many of the standout gymnasts in Lima come from CBG’s inclusion programs, aimed at discovering and supporting talent in lower-income communities. Initiatives like Ginástica Cidadã have established training hubs in the North and Northeast regions, providing access to equipment, coaching, and travel for competition.
Isabela Rocha, for example, began training on wooden beams in a community center in Recife, before being invited to the national development camp in Aracaju.
Her story, now circulating widely on Brazilian social media, is being used to promote awareness of the importance of public investment in youth sports.
National Recognition and What’s Next
The team’s return to Brazil was met with celebration at São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport, where family members, CBG officials, and media outlets welcomed the athletes with banners and flowers. A special ceremony at the Parque Olímpico in Rio de Janeiro is scheduled for next week.
The gymnasts will next compete at the Pan American Junior Championships in Mexico, where qualification slots for Dakar 2026 will be at stake.
Conclusion: A Generation Ready to Fly
Brazil’s overwhelming success at the South American Junior Championship is not just about medals — it’s about movement. A movement built on talent, access, structure, and belief.
As these young athletes flip, tumble, and soar toward new challenges, one thing is clear: Brazil’s gymnastic future has already landed — and it’s extraordinary.