“Atomic Ant” is perhaps not the most flattering of nicknames, but the petite Sofia Raffaeli, who stands just 1.62 m tall, laughs it off thanks to her boundless passion for rhythmic gymnastics. “This sport is my life,” says the Italian, who is targeting a return to the top of the World Championships podium in Frankfurt, two years after winning bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The bronze in the French capital was seen by many as a surprise result for Raffaeli, who could only watch on as Germany’s Darja Varfolomeev claimed the Olympic title. The now 22-year-old had been one of the favourites for gold after winning all five titles at the 2022 Worlds in Sofia. The road to that stunning Worlds sweep began 11 years earlier with a gift for her seventh birthday: little Sofia received two hand apparatus, a ball and a ribbon. With growing enthusiasm she transformed herself into a rhythmic gymnast.
The more success she achieved, the more motivated she became. “Each of my routines has its own story. It has to be something emotional, something that touches the hearts of the audience. That’s exactly what’s so beautiful about rhythmic gymnastics,” says Raffaeli, who has competed in the German Gymnastics League for Bayer Leverkusen. She already has her own element, the side split “Raffaeli,” included in the Code of Points. But the Italian’s joyful story has not been without its challenges. In 2025, Raffaeli's long-time coach Emanuela Maccarini was dismissed without notice by the Italian Gymnastics Federation after serious allegations were made against her. Italian media reported that Maccarini had psychologically abused her athletes on multiple occasions. The “Gazzetta dello Sport” revealed that Raffaeli was even forced to kneel and beg for forgiveness if she made mistakes in her training routines.
But the start of 2026 brought a new beginning - and a new coach in Amina Saripova. Saripova is best known for coaching Margarita Mamun to Olympic victory at the Rio 2016 Games and has a reputation as being both ambitious and, more importantly, compassionate. “I got along with her right away,” says Raffaeli. “She knows everyone in rhythmic gymnastics, and I'm sure she'll be a big help to me.” And it seems that, despite her demanding training schedule, she is finding more time for her life outside gymnastics. Raffaeli’s pride and joy is a bright red Fiat 500, which for her symbolises her growing independence: “I’ve travelled a lot, but I was always just being driven around. Now I can drive myself wherever I want.” Whether on or off the gymnastics carpet, Raffaeli is now taking charge of her own destination.
