2024-08-20 13:19:35
The Olympic runner-up in rhythmic gymnastics from Paris Boryana Kalein made a heartfelt comment on her Instagram account about everything she went through to get to the silver:
“A long-awaited competition for me has ended . . . and how! I fulfilled my childhood dream of winning a medal at the biggest sports forum. 18 years of training in the gym for two competition days, or more precisely 12 minutes of playing. A whole life, in I’ve struggled, I’ve hoped, I’ve been disappointed, but I didn’t stop trying.
I was trying to figure out where I went wrong, changing myself and trying again. I believed that my efforts would be rewarded, that life was providing me with hardships to prepare me for something bigger and more important. Was it easy? The answer is no. Worthwhile things are never easy and usually don’t happen quickly. But I can say 100% that I don’t regret anything that happened to me. It made me stronger and helped me in the most important battle – the one against myself!.
At this competition, I told myself that I had nothing to lose. I could only win. And to be honest, it was the hardest 12 minutes of my life. Tension, personal expectations, excitement, hope. . . emotions that must be turned off because they get in the way. I had told myself that I would prove to myself that I had complete control over my emotions and would not depend on them at my most important moment.
I made it, but thanks to the people around me I got this far! Thanks to my personal trainer during these 18 years – Marijana Pamukova! You never stopped supporting me and believing in me! Thanks to Branimira Markova and Efrosina Angelova – the head coaches of the national team, with whom I have worked and who further developed me as a competitor! I thank Iliana Raeva and BFHG for always providing me with the necessary conditions to be able to do my job professionally! And to you, Mrs. Raeva, thank you for never being satisfied and always wanting more from me! Thanks to Despa Katalieva for the help during training, advice and support!
Thanks to the judges Filipa Filipova, Maria Petrova, Daniela Velcheva, Hristiana Todorova and Maria Gigova! You are an integral part of this success!” wrote the gymnast.