Rebeca Andrade seeks more history at 2021 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
"The Olympics wasn’t a dream, it was a goal," says the Olympic vault champion
Artistic Gymnastics
When Rebeca Andrade begins competition this week at the 2021 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan, she’ll find herself in unfamiliar territory: the spotlight.
With reigning world champion Simone Biles and many others currently on a break after the Olympic Games, the 22-year-old Brazilian enters the competition as the favourite to repeat her vault success from Tokyo, and could capture a medal on the uneven bars.
Andrade will not compete on the floor, according to a report from Globo.com. That decision, aimed at keeping her healthy for a run at another Olympic Games, means she won't be able to contend in the all-around final.
One of the most talented women’s gymnasts of her generation, Andrade had failed to deliver on that promise... until Tokyo 2020.
At those Games, after recovering from her third ACL tear in June 2019, Andrade triumphed: winning all-around silver, the first medal in women’s gymnastics for Brazil, before winning gold days later in the vault final.
“I wasn’t really thinking about the result, to be honest. I just wanted to put in some really good performances, because I trained hard for this and I wanted it so badly,” Andrade told Olympics.com in Tokyo. “The Olympics wasn’t a dream, it was a goal.”
Andrade: the history-maker
The Olympics were a goal she never gave up on, even when it might have been easy to do so.
She pushed past ACL tears in 2015, 2017 and 2019, and through a pandemic-induced year-long delay, to stand on top of the podium.
“I've overcome a lot of things and each time I overcame something tough, I was more determined to come back, I wanted to win even more,” Andrade told Olympics.com in October 2019.
And that’s exactly what she did in Tokyo.
“All my effort was worth it, and all that I’ve been through was worth it and it is the reason why I’m where I am today,” Andrade said. “I’m very grateful.”
Andrade’s success comes after two decades of increased success in the sport for Brazil. Daniele Hypolito's floor silver in 2001 was the nation's first World Championship medal and, two years later, Daiane dos Santos claimed Brazil's first global title, also in the floor exercise.
“These achievements represent the efforts of a generation of gymnasts, some of whom no longer compete, others who are here, and there are so many to come,” Andrade said. “I hope this is only the beginning of the success that Brazil can go on to enjoy.”
Basking in her success
In the afterglow of Tokyo, Andrade knew she wanted to continue in the sport while also taking in her success.
“I’ll continue to practice, but I also want to enjoy this moment and my achievement, which was so significant for gymnastics and me,” she said.
Asked if she was targeting a third Games, she said with a smile, “Well, we’ll see each other in Paris, if that’s God’s will.”
Her post-Olympic life has been a whirlwind, having been featured on the cover of Brazilian Vogue and endorsements coming left and right like the make-up brand Lancôme and the famous Brazilian sandal company Havaianas.
Andrade has also found time to train and looked strong at the recent Brazilian Gymnastics Championships where she posted a massive 57.950 total in the all-around.
“Individual and team Brazilian champion!” she wrote on Instagram after the competition. “Another amazing moment in my life.”
"Just as sadness does, happiness comes around, too."
Andrade hopes that the amazing moments she’s had – including just making it to the Tokyo Games, having qualified to the Games only six weeks prior to the Opening Ceremony – will inspire people around the world.
Her message for those going through adversity is simple: don’t give up.
“My message for them is not to give up without trying. Everybody struggles in life, unfortunately – it’s just the way it is. But it isn’t forever,” said Andrade. “Just as sadness does, happiness comes around, too.
“So, they shouldn’t give up,” she continued. “Believe in your dreams, seek help from the people who really love you and be ready and prepared for everything.”