At the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Lisa Vaelen won an impressive bronze medal in the vault event.
In Zagreb, Croatia, Lisa Vaelen competed in the European vault final. It was another opportunity for the Belgian gymnast to measure herself against the continent’s elite and to represent Belgium at the highest level.
She faced Europe’s top vault specialists in what promised to be a highly competitive final.
By performing a Rudi (a front somersault combined with one and a half twists, equivalent to a 540-degree rotation on the vertical axis) and a Tsukahara with a full twist (a very difficult skill consisting of an initial flight phase with a half twist, or a 180-degree rotation, followed by a second flight phase with a powerful push from the arms to initiate a stretched backward somersault combined with a full twist, or a 360-degree rotation on the vertical axis, before landing), the 22-year-old Belgian gymnast achieved an average score of 13.983 points and finished in third place.
This medal adds to the two bronze medals she had already won in 2023 and 2025.
"I would like to win a different colour medal one day," Vaelen smiled in comments relayed by the Flemish Gymnastics Federation. "I am very happy to have won this medal. I could not have done any better. I am very proud of myself. My start in the final was calmer than in qualification. I felt comfortable as soon as I entered the arena. After that, I focused on giving everything I had."
We wish her every success at the World Championships in Rotterdam, scheduled for next October!
