The local rhythmic gymnastics team of Portimão is a reference nationwide for its results and professionalism. The “Associação de Ginástica Rítmica de Portimão” was funded in 2013 and is headed by internationally renowned Bulgarian Trainer Katia Mileva. She trained in clubs such as the CSKA or the Partizan (Yugoslavia) as well as the National Team in her country, having prepared several athletes for World Championship and winning several titles.

By the invitation of the Portuguese Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics she was part of the Portuguese National Team and after a long career training gymnasts across several countries she has settled in Portimão and has since trained hundreds of local athletes, won several national titles and achieving important results in international competitions.

Last but not least, this April, several of her younger athletes qualified for the National Competition 2nd Division in Aveiro where athlete Maria Bragança (9) from Lagos won the national gold medal in freehand as well as silver in hoop.

Katia Mileva has very limited help to train close to 70 athletes from the age of 3 to 17, out of which 19 are in the Competition Team and train daily to achieve important results for the club.

The Association is underfunded and needs to raise funds from local businesses and families to be able to hire a ballet teacher as well as find more appropriate gym space with higher ceiling to be able to further develop and attract gymnast and to become a reference not just nationally but also internationally.

If you are interested in helping this beautiful local reality, please contact the president of the Association Miss Zélia Ramos under zeliagritmica@gmail.com or call +351 935 092 025.