German gymnastics champion Helen Kevric medals without coach, puts gold around own neck

Second final, second gold: Helen Kevric has impressively returned to the big gymnastics stage and fuels hopes for a glorious European Championships in just over two weeks.

At the conclusion of the German Championships in Hanover, the 18-year-old from Stuttgart engaged in a thrilling duel with Pauline Schäfer-Betz. After winning the uneven bars, Kevric also claimed the title on the balance beam. With 13.025 points, the Olympic sixth-place finisher prevailed over the Chemnitz native, who had the same score.

At the championships in front of packed stands, however, it was not just the two returnees who impressed. Double European champion Karina Schönmaier was the best on vault and floor exercise. New all-around champion Silja Stöhr (Heddesheim) also showed strong form, winning medals on three other apparatuses.

Kevric Puts Medals on Herself

"We can look forward to the European Championships. If everyone stays healthy, we have a strong team," said coach Tatjana Bachmayer, who not only looked after her numerous Chemnitz gymnasts but also temporarily coached Kevric. The 18-year-old has struggled with changing coaches since the abuse allegations at the Stuttgart Artistic Gymnastics Center and competed in Hanover without a coach.

Spectacular: Kevric on the beam. Photo: Michael Matthey/dpa

This led to the unusual situation where the Olympic sixth-place finisher had to put her gold medal around her own neck on the uneven bars, while the home coaches did this for the other medal winners.

"Of course it would be nicer for me if I had a coach here to hand me the medals. But I made it here. So I can also hand myself the medal as long as I don't have anyone to hand it to me," said Kevric.

For the gymnasts, a final qualification for the European Championships (August 13–16 in Zagreb) is scheduled for next weekend. Only then will national coach Gerben Wiersma nominate his five starters.

Remote Duel: Kevric vs. Varfolomeev?

The international competition calendar this year dictates that the artistic gymnasts and the rhythmic gymnasts will simultaneously engage in a remote duel for podium places. So, contrary to usual, around the second weekend of August it is Kevric versus exceptional rhythmic gymnast Darja Varfolomeev.

Just under three weeks before the home World Championships in Frankfurt/Main, the 19-year-old won all-around gold again at the finals on Saturday. Without fully convincing, the Olympic, world, and European champion dominated the decision.

"There were mistakes with the hoop and clubs. We need to pay a bit more attention to that, work on it, and look closely at what caused it. But still, I'm satisfied," said Varfolomeev. She was very nervous, she admitted, "because it's just before the World Championships and the atmosphere was incredible."

That the gymnast from Schmiden would be among the maximum of three World Championship starters was beyond question. Only who would accompany her was open. The day after the four-event competition as the final World Championship qualification, it was decided:

• Darja Varfolomeev will compete on all four apparatuses in the Frankfurt Festhalle.
• Lada Pusch (championship runner-up) will compete with the hoop, ball, and clubs.
• Anastasia Simakova (both from Schmiden) was nominated for the decision with the ribbon.