JESSICA STEVENS AND ANGEL HERNANDEZ WIN GOLD IN TRAMPOLINE GYMNASTICS, HEADING TO PARIS 2024

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USA’s Jessica Stevens and Colombian Angel Hernandez secured the last spots in gymnastics awarded by Santiago 2023 for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Both athletes clinched gold in their respective trampoline gymnastics competitions held at the National Stadium’s Collective Sports Center.

In the women’s and men’s competitions, the second place went to Brazilians Camilla Lopes and Rayan De Castro Dutra. Mexico’s Dafne Navarro and Argentina’s Santiago Ferrari closed the podiums with bronze medals.

American Jessica Stevens won the gold medal in women’s individual trampoline gymnastics with a score of 54.990 points. The gymnast had previously won the silver medal at the 2022 Trampoline World Championship in Sofia.

“I’m very excited; I don’t have words. I think it was incredible. I’m very happy that nerves didn’t affect me, and I did what I knew I could do,” said American Jessica Stevens after winning the gold.

Brazil’s Camilla Lopes secured the second place with 53.840 points. She was the gold medalist at the 2023 Pan American Trampoline Gymnastics Championship in Monterrey. Mexico’s Dafne Navarro, who had won the Pan American silver medal in Toronto 2015, completed the podium by earning the bronze medal in Santiago 2023 with 53.550 points.

“I think everything is fine with the result. Now, I’m focused on the World Championship. I have the potential to be in the Top 5, and I’m fighting for it. But gymnastics is unpredictable; we never know what will happen. My focus is to keep working, do what I’ve been doing, and, of course, if a medal comes, I’ll be very happy,” said Brazil’s Camilla Lopes.

“I feel super happy, very content with this result. I think I’m satisfied with this competition, and I feel strong for what’s coming, which is the World Championship. I’m happy to bring this medal to my country,” said Mexico’s Dafne Navarro.

In the men’s competition, Colombia’s Angel Hernández, who had won the gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Trampoline Gymnastics Championship in Monterrey, secured the gold medal in individual trampoline gymnastics with a score of 58.930 points at Santiago 2023, earning his qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“I’m super happy because it’s been more than 8 years pursuing this medal, and finally, we have it. I’m ecstatic, and this medal is always dedicated to my coach, who I feel is the guiding light on this journey we’ve always shared. She is also my mother, so it’s a shared path and means a lot to me. I feel satisfied and very content,” commented Colombia’s Angel Hernandez.

Brazilian Rayan De Castro Dutra secured the second place with a score of 58.720, earning the silver medal. He had won the silver medal at the 2021 Junior Pan American Games in Cali. Argentine Santiago Ferrari, who had won the gold medal in double mini at the 2023 FIG World Cup in Santarém, secured the third spot on the podium with 56.130 points.

“I think this medal represents much more than just being here and performing a routine. I trained the whole year; it was full of ups and downs. I feel like this year I’ve been a more consistent athlete. Everything I’ve been working for has paid off. I’m very happy, very excited. I’m crying; I’m happy; I’m sad; I have all possible emotions mixed together,” said Brazilian Rayan De Castro Dutra after winning the silver medal.

“To be honest, I’m surprised because I’m coming back from an injury I couldn’t fully recover from, and I didn’t have time to train. I had to push through with sheer determination. Taking this medal home is a source of pride. It’s the result of the effort I’ve put in since I was a child, and I never gave up,” said Argentina’s Santiago Ferrari.

With these medals and their qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the trampoline gymnastics competition at Santiago 2023 comes to an end.

Written by Alexandra Vega and Antonia Cardenas