Victoria Giuricich: Model with Down Syndrome soars high at International Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships

by Admin · October 25, 2023

Victoria Pestana Giuricich, born with Trisomy 21, is a 25-year-old rhythmic gymnast and model from Gauteng. This young lady has achieved sensational local and international titles and has worked with both South African and international coaches and creatives, who are embracing diversity and inclusion in the rhythmic gymnastics, fashion and modelling industries. Victoria is indeed the superstar of and in her phenomenal journey! Victoria is a professional with eloquence and she is focused and determined on pursuing her unequivocal dreams. She has a contagious laugh and a fabulous sense of humour! She is competitive, as well as a great team sport with a big and welcoming heart! Her perseverance and achievements continue to charm and “knock the socks off” everyone who has the privilege and honour of knowing, witnessing, working with and meeting her!

Victoria recognises that she has been blessed with God-given talents and she is shining her light by anchoring down and sharing her special gifts and positive message with the world.

The most recent of Victoria’s esteemed achievements and her first international spot on the podium in her rhythmic gymnastics career was being awarded an overall Silver (second place) in the Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior Total at the 4th edition of the Down Syndrome International Gymnastics Organisation’s (DSIGO) World Games, held at Matsport Centre in Tshwane. This event was proudly hosted by Gymnastics South Africa on September 23-24. The occasion welcomed athletes from six nations, including South Africa, Argentina, Bulgaria, Italy, Mexico and the USA.

Victoria’s apparatus categories include: Ball, Hoop, Clubs and Ribbon. Victoria achieved a Gold for her Hoop routine, Silver for both her Ball and Club routines and Bronze for her Ribbon routine. Victoria enjoys dancing with all of her apparatus equally, despite the varying elements of gymnastics, dance and calisthenics required. Rhythmic gymnasts need to be agile, flexible, dexterous, coordinated and strong.

Victoria was the first rhythmic gymnast from Gauteng to ever compete at The Down Syndrome International Gymnastics Organisation’s World Games!

Victoria has been a rhythmic gymnast since 2018. The Covid pandemic and lock down which hit in 2020 was a lot tougher and lonelier for Victoria because she was not able to leave home at all, for her safekeeping. Having Down syndrome and being one of the higher-risk individuals, with a weaker immune system meant that extra precautions needed to be taken. This did not stop nor hinder Victoria’s dedication to her career and dreams. Victoria continued her twice weekly rhythmic gymnastics sessions with her then coach via online meetings, as well as trained and worked on her Level 4 rhythmic dancing routines and element drills in any spare time.

In preparation for the Down Syndrome International Gymnastics Organisation’s World Championships, whilst on her European summer vacation, Victoria was hard at work and continued training in Italy at the Associazione Sportiva Udinese, where two of the gymnasts who won Gold for Italy at the last Olympic Games train.

This hard work and strenuous training program did not deter Victoria from attending World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal from July 31 – August 6, 2023. Victoria was lucky enough to see Pope Francis up close on two occasions and to attend wonderful concerts, as well as thought-provoking talks. Victoria was present at various Masses including Pope Francis’ final Mass and she took part in an outreach visit to a home for the aged. This entire blessed fellowship and precious opportunity helped to nurture her spirit and keep her faith alive during these times of dedicated gymnastics training.

Victoria at World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal

In May 2023, Victoria was ecstatic to qualify for and was awarded her Junior Central Colours at the Central Gauteng Gymnastics Association (CGGA) Championships, becoming a member of the Central Gauteng Gymnastics District Team.

Victoria’s next big goal is set on her dream of competing at the 2nd Trisome Games being hosted in Antalya, Turkey from March 19-26, 2024.

Victoria endeavours to be an incredible example of a young lady who is working conscientiously and passionately towards achieving her goals and dreams, whilst wholeheartedly embracing her diversity.

Her role-model lifestyle, commitment and achievements echo her motto: “You are enough! You have what it takes! Never stop smiling and shining!”

We featured Ms Giuricich in The Southern Cross January 2021 issue “Catholic Model’s Message: You are Enough!”

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Instagram: vicky_giuricichmodelling
Facebook: Victoria Pestana Giuricich