Belgian Gymnast Nina Derwael Announces Retirement
Belgian gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Nina Derwael announced her retirement during a press conference in Ghent on Wednesday. The decision, made shortly after her stellar performance at the European Championships in Leipzig—where she won double gold—marks the end of an illustrious career. “I’ve achieved everything I wanted to achieve,” she stated, cementing her legacy in the sport.
Derwael, 25, revealed her retirement plans unexpectedly on Tuesday morning. She noted that thoughts of retirement began to surface only during last month’s European Championships.
Career Highlights
With European titles from 2017 and 2018, world championships in 2018 and 2019, and an Olympic gold in 2021 at Tokyo, Derwael was a dominant force on the uneven bars. However, injuries in recent years impacted her competition results. Despite these challenges, she showcased resilience by finishing fourth at the recent Paris Olympic Games after a tumultuous preparation period. She concluded her competitive journey with double gold at the European Championships.
“My best results, at least on paper, were achieved up to and including Tokyo,” Derwael reflected. “But I’m most proud of my journey over the past two years,” which included a shoulder surgery in September 2023, causing her to miss the World Championships in Antwerp and jeopardizing her qualification for Paris.
“I knew what I was capable of, and I achieved it”
Reflecting on her career, Derwael remarked on the physical toll of gymnastics. “It’s been quite a process. My body started to resist a bit more in recent years. I had to take it much more into account.” She emphasized her engagement in training decisions, which contributed to her fulfillment, remarking, “I’ve also become more emotional during competitions in recent years.”
When prompted about her childhood aspirations, Derwael expressed that her dreams began modestly. “I dreamed of doing gymnastics with a Belgian flag on my leotard,” she shared. As she achieved those dreams, she gradually set sights on major international competitions, culminating in competing at the Olympic Games, where her ambitions only grew.
Reassessing Her Future
Following the European Championships, Derwael had contemplated competing at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and the upcoming World Championships in Jakarta. However, as the initial excitement faded, she reassessed her ambitions. “At home, I put everything back into perspective and came to my decision,” she explained, acknowledging that she no longer felt motivated to continue competing at the elite level.
Now stepping away from gymnastics, Derwael expressed a sense of loss regarding the adrenaline of competitions. “As top athletes, we’re all a bit of adrenaline junkies. Nothing will ever come close to a good exercise at the right time,” she noted.
#FlandersNewsService | Belgian gymnast Nina Derwael receives flowers at a press conference regarding her retirement as a professional athlete, Wednesday 16 July 2025 in Ghent. © BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER
In a broader context, Derwael’s decision underscores the intense physical and emotional demands faced by elite athletes and highlights a shift towards prioritizing personal well-being over competitive ambition.
As Derwael steps into retirement, the gymnastics community reflects on her contributions, with many fans and fellow athletes expressing their gratitude for her accomplishments and inspirational journey, reports 24brussels.
