Marie Navone: “A duo that worked out great!”
Marie Navone is a student in the Sports Science program. Together with her partner, Emma Bouremel, they won the gold medal in the duo event at the French University Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.
It was in Strasbourg that Marie Navone and Emma Bouremel claimed their title as French university champions in rhythmic gymnastics duets thanks to a flawless two-minute routine.“In this discipline, we have to perform choreographed routines using what are called apparatus. There are five of them: the ribbon, the rope, the hoop, the clubs, and the ball,” explains Marie Navone.
Although the 22-year-old has been competing in the college league for four years, she has been competing in her sport for 12 years now. “I was just ten years old when I started competing with the Castries-Vendargues L’Elan Gymnique club, where I still train.” With this club, the gymnast has competed not only in the French championships but also in European tournaments.
Six to eight hours of training
However, that’s not where Marie Navone met her partner, Emma Bouremel; they met at the UFR Staps, where they’re both studying.“We met at a competition, and since we were at the same level, we decided to form this duo, which has worked out well. ” She has managed her studies so far without ever cutting back on her six to eight hours of weekly training.“In rhythmic gymnastics, there aren’t many gymnasts, and we qualify directly for the French championship, which limits the number of competitions throughout the year. So it’s easier to train and focus on our studies.”
But this year, there won’t be any competitions for the second-year master’s student who is preparing for her entrance exam to become a physical education teacher. “ The competition takes place just ten days before the entrance exam, so unfortunately I can’t participate in the circuit. So these were my last university championships.” Now that’s what you call going out with a bang!