Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast Kristina Pogranichna has officially announced the end of her competitive career. This is reported by Sport RBC.UA, citing the athlete's Instagram page. In a personal statement, Pogranichna reflected on her long and eventful path in rhythmic gymnastics, admitting that the decision to retire was not easy and that it was shaped by years of hard work, victories, injuries, and defeats.
A Decision Shaped by Years of Hard Work
"I am ending my career in competitive sports. I took a long time to make this decision and to find the right words, because this is a very significant moment in my life. Behind it lies a huge part of my journey, many years of work, emotions, injuries, victories, and defeats," the gymnast wrote. According to her, throughout her time in sport she was held up by three main things: her love for gymnastics, her love for Ukraine, and the support of her loved ones. It was these pillars, the athlete admitted, that allowed her to stay in competitive sport even during the most difficult periods.
From a Five-Year-Old's Gym to the Senior National Team
Rhythmic gymnastics became part of Kristina's life in childhood: in 2008, as a five-year-old girl, she first walked into a training gym. Her international debut already took place in 2010, held in Hungary. From 2016, Pogranichna joined the Ukrainian junior national team, and later made her way into the senior national squad as well. Thus, by the time she announced her retirement, her path in sport spanned about 18 years — from her first steps in the gym to competing for the national team.
Gratitude to Coaches and Fans
In her statement, Pogranichna expressed special gratitude to her first coaches, as well as to her personal coach Irina Rudiy and choreographer Anna Soprunova. The gymnast also directed separate words to her parents and fans, whose support, she said, was invaluable throughout her entire career. She emphasized that her ten years on the national team had been a "serious test of dignity and loyalty to values" for her.
Not a Farewell, but a New Chapter
Concluding her statement, Kristina Pogranichna noted that, by her own feeling, she had risen to all the challenges of competitive sport. "I am not saying goodbye to you; I am boldly moving on to new stages of my life," the gymnast summed up. Thus, leaving competitive sport means not an end for the athlete, but a transition to new life and professional goals.
