Less than a year after coming together as Cyprus' National Rhythmic Gymnastics Ensemble, six talented athletes are already making their mark on the international stage, proving that dedication, teamwork and perseverance can take Cyprus to new heights in one of the world's most demanding sports.

The team consists of Annita Andreou, Anastasia Lazaridou, Sofia-Diana Christofi, Olga Afxentiou, Christiana Papakyriakou and Melani Neokleous, who is currently recovering from an injury. Most of the athletes began rhythmic gymnastics at the age of four, training at different clubs across Cyprus before joining forces in September 2025 to represent the country in international competitions.

In just a few months, the team has produced an impressive list of achievements. They claimed gold in the Hoops and Clubs final at the Budapest International Grazia Cup in February, followed by a silver medal at the Aphrodite Cup in Athens. They placed seventh at the European Cup in Baku, while at the European Championships in Varna they finished 17th in the All-Around among 26 European nations and secured 12th place in the Hoops and Clubs routine. Their biggest achievement so far came in June, when they qualified for the finals of the FIG World Challenge Cup in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, finishing sixth in both routines.

Behind every performance lies an extraordinary level of commitment. The athletes train for five hours every weekday and up to eight hours on Saturdays, balancing elite sport with their academic responsibilities. Rhythmic gymnastics demands exceptional technical ability, strength, flexibility, artistry and precision—skills that take years of dedication to master.

The team is supported by a committed coaching staff led on a daily basis by 19-year-old former gymnast Karina Kovaleva, who is balancing her university studies while dedicating herself to the athletes' development. Head Coach Regina Shkoda oversees the programme, alongside the valuable contributions of coaches Anna Christodoulidou, Marianna ElZafarani and international judge Chrystalleni Trikomiti.

"Our goal is to represent Cyprus proudly on the international stage and prove that our country can compete with the best in rhythmic gymnastics. These girls deserve to see their hard work rewarded, and we hope they continue to grow both as athletes and as ambassadors for Cyprus," says Head Coach Regina Shkoda.

The team's next challenge will be the FIG World Cup in Milan this July, followed by the World Championships in Frankfurt in August. As they continue their remarkable journey, Cyprus' young gymnasts are not only collecting results—they are inspiring the next generation and raising the profile of rhythmic gymnastics across the island.