After securing one of four spots on the Brazilian women's junior artistic gymnastics team, Maria Julia Marques is preparing for her first international challenge. The young Flamengo player, who secured her spot on the national team at a tryout held in São Paulo, along with the Brazilian adult championships earlier this month (August 03-06.08), will compete in the South American Junior Championships in Mar del Plata, Argentina.
Maria Julia, who has been training at Flamengo since 2016, explained how she is preparing for her debut with the national team.
"The training has been really intense so I'm well prepared. I'm really excited because I hope to have a good championship," said the athlete.
The young gymnast trains at Mais Querido under the supervision of coach João Carlos, and during this past week (August 14-18.08), they both participated in a camp offered by the CBG, the Brazilian Gymnastics Confederation, in Rio de Janeiro. The event was intended to prepare the youth team, already aiming for the South American Championships.
The Flamengo Regatas Club's artistic gymnastics teams receive funding from their sponsors—AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, and EY—via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR), as well as support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC) through the decentralization of resources from the Pelé Law. The Flamengo Guardian Angel Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved Club.