We turn to Spain for this edition of our Meet the Worlds 2013 Selection series.
- Roxana Popa (AA)
- Silvia Colussi Pelaez (BB and FX)
- Cintia Rodriguez Rodriguez (UB)
Roxana Popa
Popa, 16, is Romanian born and competes as an AA gymnast with specialties on Vault and Floor.
Little is known of Popa before 2008 when she competed at the Spanish Nationals. Here she took first place on every event but could not be awarded medals as she did not yet have her Spanish citizenship.
She first came to light on the International stage when competing at the 2012 Junior European Championships. She qualified through to the All Around final, placing 11th. She qualified in second place to Vault final, eventually placing 6th after a unfortunate fall. She was also a reserve for the Floor final. She competed a DTY and FTY in Brussels, her DTY being exceptionally good when performed well.
Her Senior debut took place at the 2013 Cottbus Cup. She was unfortunate not to make any finals, in which Maria Paula Vargas and Silvia Colussi Pelaez did so. After winning the All Around title at the Spanish Nationals she was named to the team at the 2013 European Championships, her first as a Senior. Roxana made the floor final, placing seventh. In qualification for the AA competition she came in 5th, just behind Aliya Mustafina. She ranked 6th in the final, the European title was won by Aliya Mustafina.
We look forward to Roxana’s debut the World Championships.
Silvia Colussi Pelaez
17 year old Silvia holds dual citizenship of Canada and Spain. She has trains in Canada at Futures Gymnastics Center. At the 2011 Canadian Winter Championships, she tied for the All Around Gold with Sabrina Gill.
She was a member of Spain’s 2011 World Championships Team in Tokyo, the team did not place in the top 8 and were forced to try again to qualify at the London 2012 Test Event. A full team at the 2012 Olympics wasn’t on the cards for Spain as they ranked 7th in the team competition. Team mate Ana Maria Izurieta took Spain single WAG spot in London.
Early in 2012 Silvia competed at the Osijek Grand Prix, she picked up bronze on floor for her powerful tumbling skills. Later in 2012 she had success at the Elite Gym Massilia competition where she scored AA gold and team gold with Future Gymnastics Center. She placed 7th on Bars and took gold on Beam and 5th on Floor.She has also competed well in numerous friendly competitions for Spain.
Silvia competed at the 2013 Gymnix competition, she placed 5th in the AA finals and tied for gold on Bars with Victoria Kayen Woo. Silvia signed up to compete for the Florida Gators for the 2013 – 2014 season.
She will compete on Bars and Floor in Antwerp.
Cintia Rodriguez Rodriguez
There is not too much information available online about 18 year old Cintia. She has competed at World Cup and Grand Prix Events and World Championships.
Aged 15 she competed at her first World Championships in Rotterdam, ranking 77th in the AA competition with a score of 50.265. She did not compete at either the 2011 Worlds or Europeans nor has she been seen much since 2011, only at a handful of World Cup competitions.
Cintia will only compete on Bars in Antwerp.