RIYADH: Six-year-old Saudi girl Elena Habhab has hopes of becoming a Olympic rhythmic gymnast after winning five medals in her first year of competition in Moscow.
Elena discovered her love of the sport while visiting her Russian grandmother and enrolling in one of the city’s sports clubs.
Her mother, Rima Wannous, said: “Elena was impressed to watch girls play and make attractive movements, so she decided to join this fun sport.”
Within three months of joining the beginners’ class, Elena’s skills were noticed by the trainers and she was promoted to a higher class.
She took part in an open club championship in Moscow and won first place.
“With her skills, she managed to win the competition, and then she participated in three championships with a group and took second place,” Wannous said.
“After that we decided that she should stay in Moscow to pursue her dreams since the sport isn’t available in the Kingdom yet.”
Elena’s father, Luaie Habhab, said that his daughter loves the sport “and even does the splits while watching TV.”
Rhythmic gymnastics is a competition for women only, in which the player performs graceful movements to music while holding objects, such as a ribbon or ball.
Referees evaluate the performance and award points to each competitor.
Rhythmic gymnasts are judged on their agility and difficulty of the movements they make, including the skill of launching and capturing the instrument.
Elena trains eight hours a day in Moscow, but says she enjoys the demanding schedule.
Her mother said: “I thought that she would not want to go to Moscow again because of the tough exercises, but she surprised me. When we returned to Saudi Arabia, she insisted that we go back to Russia to train. So I had to leave all my work here and take her to Moscow because this sport doesn’t exist in Saudi Arabia right now.”
Elena’s dream is to represent the Kingdom abroad and compete in the Olympics.
She also speaks three languages: English, Arabic and Russian, and is learning Chinese.
“I love gymnastics because it makes me strong, flexible and patient. I also love competition, and I am happy when I am taking first place,” Elena said.
