Isabelle Marciniak, Brazilian youth rhythmic gymnastics champion, dies at 18

São Paulo.- Isabelle Marciniak, who was the Brazilian youth rhythmic gymnastics champion in 2021 and was a young promise of the discipline, died on Wednesday at the age of 18, reported the Paranaense Gymnastics Federation.

Marciniak died from Hodgkin’s disease, a type of cancer that attacks the lymphatic system, according to the federation, cited by local media. Despite his young age, Marciniak had already achieved titles at the regional level, in his home state of Paraná, in southern Brazil, and nationally. One of her latest successes was in 2023, when she was proclaimed champion with the adult trio of the Agir Club of Curitiba, of which she was a part. In 2021, she won the gold medal in the all-around competition of the Brazilian Junior Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship and another silver medal with the ribbon. She also climbed to the top of the podium in the ball event.

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Her body will be veiled this Thursday in Araucária, her hometown, in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, where the gymnast will also be buried. The Paranaense Gymnastics Federation expressed, “in this moment of pain”, its solidarity with family members, friends, teammates, coaches and the entire gymnastics community. “May his story, his passion for the sport, and his memory live on as an inspiration for all who believe in gymnastics as a tool for human formation and transformation. Our condolences. Rest in peace,” the entity stated in a note released on its social media.