Flamengo gymnast Maria Julia Marques earned a spot on the Brazilian school team this Saturday (24), after winning the Brazilian Student Championship, a tournament that serves as the National Selection for the Gymnasiade. In São Paulo, Maria Julia won the gold medal in the individual all-around and in the balance beam and parallel bars events. With this result, the gymnast qualified in first place for the international tournament. 

"The championship was great, I felt super confident, I think the parallel bar was my best apparatus. I felt happy, I didn't expect to come first," commented Maria Julia. 

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

Now back in Rio de Janeiro, Maria Julia is intensifying her training at the club with a view to participating in the world championship. Thanks to her performance, her coach at Mais Querido, Renata Valente, who accompanied her at the qualifiers, will also be her coach at the international competition.