At just 15 years old, Natalie de la Rosa captivated the audience in Asunción with her elegance, focus, and dedication. During the Pan American Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship (Junior and Youth categories), the young American gymnast took gold in the ribbon final, earning an impressive score of 25.200 and establishing herself as one of the event’s standout performers.
Her routine was precise, fluid, and filled with emotion.
“I had expectations for myself — always to give my best, thinking about both the process and the outcome,” said Natalie after the competition.
With calm determination, she explained her approach:
“Before each competition, I remind myself: this is just like you practiced it. If you perform like you trained, you’ll always succeed.”
On the podium, she was joined by Sarah Ferreira of Brazil (silver, 24.500) and her fellow American Alicia Liu (bronze, 24.000), in a final that kept the crowd at the Gymnastics Pavilion on its feet.
The Paraguayan organization received widespread praise from athletes, coaches, and families — and Natalie was no exception:
“Paraguay is a beautiful country. The people, the fans, the organization… everything was amazing. I felt super comfortable, and I hope to come back in August,” she said.
With a busy competition schedule, Natalie remains focused on growth:
“My goal is to be as prepared as possible for what’s next. Every step I take is thanks to the support of those who believe in me.”
She also took a moment to express gratitude:
“I want to thank USA Gymnastics for this opportunity, my coaches, my friends who always have my back, and the fans — they’ve been a huge support. Some even came all the way here to see me compete, and that was very special.”
She also acknowledged the support she receives online:
“It’s really nice to receive positive messages and see how people support me.”
Natalie’s performance highlights the steady growth of rhythmic gymnastics across the Americas. Her discipline and commitment make her a strong prospect as the Pan American Adult Championship approaches, set to take place from May 30 to June 1 — the final stop before the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro.
Paraguay is steadily establishing itself as a continental hub for the sport, and Natalie — with her poise, work ethic, and technical excellence — stands out as an athlete to watch on the road to Asunción 2025.
