TEAMGYM POWER OF US

Today’s interview tells us how TeamGym can start even “late” and how it can last a long time. With passion, love and commitment.

“I don’t know if it’s the adrenaline, the constant search for technical evolution or the eclectic nature of this discipline, but the truth is that I consider Teamgym the most beautiful discipline in gymnastics.“

When, how and why did you fall in love with TeamGym?

The truth is that my career as a gymnast started a little bit late. When I was around 14 years old, a friend of mine challenged me to try gymnastics for the first time, due to my physical abilities and crazy moves at school. After that I decided to join the group named GyMENstics and performed with them for about 2 years in Gymnastics For All. At the age of 17, encouraged by my first gymnastic coach, João Passos, my gymnastics team became the first in Portugal to have trainings focused on Teamgym. A year later, we took part in a training camp in Silkeborg (2005) and then in Ghent (2006) where we met coaches such as Finn Hansen, Anders Frisk, Christian Vilppola and Tobias Björn and realized how much we could improve with better conditions as well as technical knowledge. From that moment on, it was clear to me that I wanted this passion in my life. I don’t know if it’s the adrenaline, the constant search for technical evolution or the eclectic nature of this discipline, but the truth is that I consider Teamgym the most beautiful discipline in gymnastics.

Thanks to facilitating equipment, team spirit and a positive mood, the TeamGym is a barrier to sports abandonment and allows many to obtain satisfactory results. How old are you and how many European Championships have you done?

I am 37 years old but I don’t feel like it, yet. My first time in the European Championships was in 2006 (Ostrava) and since then I have been present in 8 EC. Unfortunately, I missed two of them, 2014 and 2022 because the Portuguese federation opted for not having a men’s team. I believe that acquiring equipment that reduces external load as well as softer landings helped me extend my career’s longevity. Being consistent with strength training, running and a lot of proprioceptive work throughout the years, even in vacations, assured me I would be in the right shape to continue representing the Portuguese team. Besides that, being in every training session with an overcoming attitude, always trying to be the best version of myself allowed me to get here. Sometimes it’s not easy to be resilient after a work day as a coach, but it definitely pays off.

Last but not the least, the atmosphere in Teamgym trainings is very special and unique, full of energy, healthy competition between teammates and funny moments, creating bonds that we keep for life!

Will you continue to contribute to the promotion of TeamGym and what strategies do you think can be used to develop this sport even further?

Of course, I will continue to promote Teamgym, mainly in Portugal and within our federation, to make people aware of one of the most exciting and complete disciplines in Gymnastics. I also believe that young athletes entering gymnastics for the first time can learn the basis of the sport through Teamgym. Unfortunately, gymnastics doesn’t have the same presence in the Portuguese culture as it has on the Nordic countries, so we still have to work a lot on improving our facilities and providing technical knowledge and spotting skills to our coaches and school teachers, so that it becomes as easy to talk about gymnastics as it is about football! Coaches and athletes who are recognized by their peers should be invited to share knowledge in a simple and passionate way with different gymnastics federations around the world. From me, I will continue to share the knowledge and experience I’ve acquired throughout the years and create opportunities for athletes from different teams and with different realities to train together and learn from each other. I believe this strategy can motivate them to reach further and elevate the national Teamgym level. Many people have been asking if I will retire soon. All I can say is that I’ve been trying to live in the present, enjoying all the moments, challenging myself, maybe even with new skills, and feeling grateful to be able to have fun doing Teamgym.

Many people have been asking if I will retire soon. All I can say is that I’ve been trying to live in the present, enjoying all the moments, challenging myself, maybe even with new skills, and feeling grateful to be able to have fun doing Teamgym.

@jnpeixinho