Flamengo's young gymnasts, Maria Julia Marques and Beatriz Simão, travel this Thursday (22) to compete in the Gymnasiade National Selection. The tournament, organized by the Brazilian School Sports Confederation (CBDE), will be held in São Bernardo do Campo, in São Paulo, between March 22 and 25. 

The Gymnasiade is the equivalent of the Olympics in the school setting. The event takes place every two years and brings together the best student athletes in the world. In 2018, the tournament will be held in Marrakesh, Morocco, from May 2nd to 9th.  

Maria Julia and Beatriz compete in the National Selection on Saturday (24), seeking two of the five spots on the Brazilian artistic gymnastics team. They are part of the Rio de Janeiro school team, and represent the state in the competition that brings together more than 2 young people from all over Brazil. Renata Valente, coach of the red-blacks at Flamengo, accompanies the duo in the tournament.

"They are well trained and at a good level for the competition. We are all very excited because they have a chance of qualifying. We are very hopeful, we are working to secure this spot and we hope everything goes well," said the coach. 

In order for the red-blacks to be called up to the national team, training has been intensified in recent weeks. 

"Preparing for this qualifier was very tiring. I did sets on all the equipment every day, trying my best not to make any mistakes. I hope this championship goes well and that I can qualify," commented Beatriz.

Brazil is the current Gymnasiade champion and the unprecedented title was won in 2016, in Türkiye.