When Sofia Raffaeli steps onto the mat, silence falls. Then the music begins, and the world watches a performance that blends precision, power, and artistry. At just 21, the Italian gymnast from Chiaravalle, a small town in the Marche region, has already redrawn the map of rhythmic gymnastics, becoming both a global star and a national icon at home.
Her path into the sport started almost by chance. As a child she practiced artistic gymnastics, but she was instantly drawn to the elegance of the ribbon and the ball, and switched to rhythmic gymnastics – the discipline adored by little girls everywhere. From there came years of grueling training, up to eight hours a day, five days a week, shaping her into an unstoppable athlete.
Her international debut came at the 2019 Junior World Championships in Moscow, where she won three silver medals. Two years later, at her first senior Worlds in Kitakyushu, Japan, she climbed the podium again, taking bronze with the hoop and silver in the team event. The turning point arrived in 2022. In Tel Aviv, Sofia became the first Italian gymnast ever to win a European gold medal in rhythmic gymnastics. Weeks later, at the World Championships in Bulgaria, she stunned the entire sport by collecting a record five gold medals – in the all-around, hoop, ball, ribbon, and team competition. For Italy, a nation that had never produced a champion at the top of this discipline, it was a historic breakthrough.
Sofia kept winning at every international stage, quickly establishing herself as a leading contender for Olympic glory. At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games she did not disappoint, capturing the bronze in the individual all-around. It was an unprecedented milestone for Italy – the country had never before celebrated an individual rhythmic gymnastics medal at the Olympics. Beyond medals, Raffaeli has also left her mark on the rulebook itself. She introduced such an original move during her routine that it was officially added to the code of points. Known simply as the “Raffaeli,” it ensures her name will live on in gymnastics history alongside the great innovators of the sport.
Her achievements did not stop with the Olympics. Earlier this year in Milan, performing in front of her home crowd, she dazzled fans by winning two golds and a silver at the World Cup. Then in August, at the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, she added yet another gold with the hoop and a bronze with the ball to her already impressive collection.
Nicknamed the “Atomic Ant” for her petite frame and explosive energy, Sofia combines athleticism and artistry like few others. Each of her routines tells a story – from Hitchcock-inspired suspense to timeless Sinatra melodies, to choreographies exploring powerful social themes. She is more than a champion: she is a pioneer. Sofia has proven that Italian rhythmic gymnastics can not only stand beside the traditional giants, Russia and Bulgaria, but even surpass them. With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on the horizon, the world may have only seen the beginning of her legend. From a small Adriatic town to the greatest stages of world sport, Raffaeli’s journey is a testament to talent, discipline, and imagination. And in every soaring ribbon and every daring leap, she carries the spirit of a sport she is helping transform with her extraordinary brilliance.
