GWR 2024 Look Inside - Flipbook - Page 13
SOFIA TEPLA
A
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lot of people claim that they would bend over
backwards to earn a place in the record books, but
few take that quite as literally as Sofia Tepla…
Having approached GWR about taking on a gymnastics record,
the rising circus star from Ukraine was invited to appear on the
Italian TV talent show Lo Show dei Record in 2022. Her skills
proved to be as mind-boggling as they were bone-defying!
The then 11-year-old pushed her acrobatic abilities to the
limits by rolling 20 m (65 ft) in 10.49 sec. This wasn’t just any
old tumble, though, but a contortion roll – a back-bending
manoeuvre that requires the participant to start with their
feet over their head (as demonstrated below), with soles
flat on the ground, before arching back and propelling into
a forward roll, then repeating.
Two weeks after claiming her first
world record, events in Sofia’s home
country took a dark turn. But she’s
staying positive, and has vowed
to continue honing her skills in
anticipation of the day when
she can once again represent
Ukraine on a global stage.
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1: Sofia with some of the
300 members of the Gratsia
dance and circus school, set up
by her mother in 2014.
2: The Ukrainian contortionist
was “head over heels” to receive
her GWR certificate for the
fastest 20-m contortion roll.
3
Who inspired you to try contortionism?
When I was three, I used to watch TV talent
shows and I liked to repeat some of the tricks.
I would then put on concerts for my family. My
parents decided to enrol me in a gymnastics/
acrobatics class, but as we live in a small town,
we didn’t have a circus school nearby so my
mum decided to start one!
3: A young Sofia pictured with
her parents Maryna and Dmitry,
and little brother Alexander.
4: Gymnastic skills clearly run in
the family: Alexander also has
an aptitude for acrobatics. The
siblings often pair up to train and
perform routines together.
Have you always been so bendy?
My body isn’t naturally flexible. It’s actually
years of training – as well as good warm-ups.
I have a lot of strength, but I developed
flexibility gradually over a long time.
How proud were you to represent your
country on a TV talent contest?
I’m happy I was the only one from Ukraine –
it was an honour! But it was also bittersweet.
I set this record in February, then as soon as
I got home, the war started. There were many
plans related to my achievement, but the
focus quickly became just about surviving.
It was very scary at first. On my first day
back, a rocket flew into our town and people
were killed. My family decided to stay at
home, all together in Ukraine, even though
it was difficult and dangerous. There are no
hostilities in our area, but sometimes rockets
fly in. I still train and want to be able to
perform; in the future, I would love to
show my skills to the whole world.
Any advice to other young people
thinking of applying for a record?
You have to believe in yourself. And don’t stop
when things don’t work out. Nothing in the
world is impossible.
Any more records on the horizon?
4
Yes! That’s my goal. There’s a lot I can do, and
I have some ideas. I’m good at doing push-ups
in the contortion-roll pose*. I could also break
the record for lifting flowers with my mouth
while in a backward bend.
What else do you like to do for fun?
Find out more about under-16s that
made it into the record books at
kids.guinnessworldrecords.com
I like to make jewellery with beads, play board
games with my family in the evenings and also
to make pancakes.
*On 11 Mar
2023, Sofia
successfully set the
most contortionroll push-ups in
30 seconds – 21!
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