Varfolomeev Captures European All-Around Gold in Bulgaria

Her earlier performances included a 29.750 with the hoop – the best score on that apparatus – a 29.400 with the ribbon, and a 27.400 with the ball, which placed her sixth in that rotation.

Overcoming Health Setbacks

The triumph was far from certain heading into the competition. Varfolomeev had been struggling with her health at the start of the European Championships and was not at full strength.

"Ich kann es kaum glauben, wir hatten nicht damit gerechnet, dass wir hier den Titel holen. Darja ist längst nicht bei 100 Prozent und unser großes Saisonziel sind die Weltmeisterschaften im August in Frankfurt. Daher sind wir umso glücklicher, dass es geklappt hat," said coach Julia Raskina.

Varfolomeev herself expressed both joy and relief after the final result was confirmed. "Ich habe mein Bestes gegeben. Jetzt ist es endlich da," she said.

The gold in Varna marks the third European all-around title of her career, further cementing her status as the dominant figure in the sport.

Road to the Final

On the opening day of competition, Varfolomeev had already qualified for two individual apparatus finals, showing solid form despite the health concerns.

She later reflected on that first day, saying she was quite satisfied, had no apparatus loss, and that there was still room for improvement for the next days.

However, the second day brought a setback when she lost an apparatus during her clubs routine, a rare mistake for the eleven-time world champion.

Despite that error, she regrouped and delivered when it mattered most in the all-around final, demonstrating the resilience that has defined her career.

What Comes Next

The European Championships are being held on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria, with the individual all-around and group qualifications taking place on Saturday.

The competition continues on Sunday with the individual apparatus finals and the group apparatus finals, where Varfolomeev will have further opportunities to add to her medal haul.

Looking ahead, the major target of the season remains the 2025 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships, scheduled for mid-August in Frankfurt am Main, a home event for the German team.

With the European title now secured, Varfolomeev and her coaching team can approach the home World Championships with confidence, even as they continue to manage her fitness.

The result in Varna reinforces Varfolomeev's position as the leading rhythmic gymnast in the world, less than a year after her Olympic triumph in Paris.