27 Facts About Darja Varfolomeev

Darja Varfolomeev is a Russian-born German rhythmic gymnast.

Darja Varfolomeev is the 2024 Olympic all-around and 2023 World all-around gold medalist and the 2022 World all-around silver medalist.

Darja Varfolomeev started rhythmic gymnastics at a young age after being brought to the gym by her mother, a former rhythmic gymnast.

Darja Varfolomeev was asked to stay, and though her parents were uncertain, Varfolomeev said that she wanted to do so, which she later said "was the most difficult decision of my life, but the greatest decision I made at the time".

Darja Varfolomeev moved to Germany in 2019 without her parents to be coached by Olympic silver medalist Yulia Raskina.

Darja Varfolomeev initially lived in a boarding school and was visited by her grandparents when they were able to do so.

Darja Varfolomeev's parents moved to Germany as well three years later.

Darja Varfolomeev was criticized in Ukrainian media in 2024 for photos on her Instagram, some of which showed her competing in Russian-occupied Crimea in 2021, when she was 14, and one which showed a wooden map of the world apparently bought in Russia and depicting Ukrainian territories annexed in 2022 by Russia.

Darja Varfolomeev placed 15th in qualifications for the clubs, which was the only apparatus she competed with.

Darja Varfolomeev debuted in the senior category in 2022, at World Cup Tashkent, where she won the bronze medal in the all-around.

Darja Varfolomeev took another bronze medal in the hoop final and two silver medals in the ball and ribbon finals, and she placed 4th with clubs.

Darja Varfolomeev won two gold medals in the ball and ribbon finals and was 4th place in the clubs final.

Darja Varfolomeev continued collecting medals at World Challenge Cup Portimao, where she won silver in the all-around behind Israeli Adi Asya Katz.

Darja Varfolomeev took three more medals in the apparatus finals - two gold with ball and clubs and one silver with hoop.

Darja Varfolomeev was selected for the World Championships in Sofia along with Kolosov and the senior group.

Darja Varfolomeev won one medal at the 2023 European Championships, the gold in ribbon.

At the 2023 World Championships, Darja Varfolomeev won every gold medal available in the all-around and the four apparatus finals, making her the first rhythmic gymnast to do so since Evgeniya Kanaeva in 2009 and fourth to ever do so after Bianka Panova, Oksana Kostina, and Kanaeva.

Darja Varfolomeev won the all-around gold ahead of Elvira Krasnobaeva and Sofia Raffaeli, and she then went on to win three of the four event final golds as well in the hoop, ball, and ribbon finals.

Darja Varfolomeev won the bronze medal in the all-around final behind Stiliana Nikolova and Sofia Raffaeli.

Darja Varfolomeev placed fourth in the team competition with fellow Germans Anastasia Simakova, Margarita Kolosov, and the German senior group.

Darja Varfolomeev did not advance into the clubs final after finishing 10th in qualifications.

Darja Varfolomeev had a drop during her hoop routine when the hoop hit a bar on the ceiling and at the end of the all-around, she was 0.3 point away from her teammate.

Darja Varfolomeev won silver in the ball final behind Kolosov.

Darja Varfolomeev won the all-around ahead of Sofia Raffaeli and Viktoriia Onopriienko and won three medals in the apparatus finals: gold with ball and clubs and silver with ribbon.

Darja Varfolomeev noted the size of the audience at the competition and said, "In most cases, we don't have such a full hall, which makes me even happier that so many are now interested in our sport".

Darja Varfolomeev performed her clubs routine and received the highest score of the day, and Motto Viareggio won the competition.

Darja Varfolomeev finished fifth in the ball final and took home gold medals in the clubs and ribbon finals.