Eva Serrano (born 22 April 1978 in Nîmes) is a French former individual rhythmic gymnast. She was the 1999 European All-around bronze medalist and is France's most decorated and successful rhythmic gymnast. She is also a 6-time French National All-around champion.

Eva Serrano
Serrano in 1998
Personal information
Country represented France
Born (1978-04-22) 22 April 1978 (age 46)
Nîmes, France
DisciplineRhythmic gymnastics
Medal record
Representing  France
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1997 Berlin Hoop
Bronze medal – third place 1997 Berlin Ribbon
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 2000 Zaragoza Hoop
Silver medal – second place 1997 Patras Rope
Silver medal – second place 1997 Patras Ribbon
Silver medal – second place 1998 Porto Clubs
Silver medal – second place 2000 Zaragoza Ribbon
Bronze medal – third place 1998 Porto Hoop
Bronze medal – third place 1999 Budapest All-around
Bronze medal – third place 1999 Budapest Ball
Summer Universiade
Gold medal – first place 1997 Sicily Hoop
Bronze medal – third place 1997 Sicily Rope

Career edit

Serrano's international career spanned eight years and competed in two Olympic cycles. She started rhythmic gymnastics at age seven.

She made her career breakthrough in 1997, winning France's first European Championship medals (bronze with rope and ribbon), she repeated her success winning two bronze medals (hoop, ribbon) at the 1997 World Championships. She won the All-around bronze medal at the 1999 European Championships.

She ranked 19th, 7th, 9th, 7th, 4th in All-around finals at the 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999 World Championships.

At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, she placed 7th in qualifications, 8th in the semi-final round and placed 6th in the finals. She went to compete in her second Olympics in 2000 Sydney she placed 4th in qualifications and finished 5th in the finals, the highest placement for a non-Eastern European gymnast since Carolina Pascual, Carmen Acedo and Maisa Lloret.

Serrano's final competition was the Zenith Tournament in Paris in December 2000, where she won three gold medals. The Zenith event also served as a tribute as she announced her retirement.

She was elected to sit as president on the FIG Athletes' Commission for rhythmic gymnastics. She now has a son named Oihan.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ "Eva Serrano". figbeijing2008.sportcentric.com. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013.

External links edit