© BELGA
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Between all her appointments for the TV program ‘Dancing with the stars’, Nina Derwael (21) already received the trophy of Sportswoman of the Year for the third time. Number four may not be for next year, because Derwael’s next main goal is only in 2023. “I don’t know yet whether I will go to the World Cup in 2022.”
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Marc Cornelissen, Laurens Van HeuverswijnSource: BELGIAN
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ALSO READ. Nina Derwael is Sportswoman of the Year after an exciting battle with Nafi Thiam
The head of Nina Derwael (21) has recently been more interested in dancing than gymnastics. “I’ve been more involved with that than with gymnastics in recent weeks. When I look back at those images from Tokyo, it seems so long ago. So much has happened since then. The past few weeks have flown by and suddenly the Sports Gala was already there. On Thursday I discovered that I didn’t have a prom dress yet. Luckily I have a good styling team.”
It was in that brand new dress that she picked up her third Sportswoman of the Year trophy yesterday.
“And yet you never get used to it,” said Tokyo’s gold medal on the uneven bars. “Certainly not because I didn’t expect it at all this time. It was tense between Nafi and myself, and I had come without expectations. But maybe that’s why this trophy is the most beautiful. I have a lot of respect for Nafi. Two Olympic titles in a row: I’m not just going to imitate her. It’s a shame that only one can win. What did I say to her? I congratulated her on her fantastic year and we complimented each other on our dresses.”
transition year
With three trophies, Derwael is now on the same level as Thiam. Kim Clijsters and Ingrid Berghmans (eight times!) are still a long way off, but next year she can match Justine Henin. But that is not very likely, because Derwael’s next goal is only in 2023: the World Cup in Antwerp. 2022 could well be a transition year.
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“For now, my goals are the World Cup in 2023 in Antwerp and then the Games in 2024 in Paris. I don’t look beyond that. So I can’t say yet whether I’ll be here again next year. Given the level in Belgium, you may need a world title to be among the nominees in a non-Olympic year. But for now I’m going to focus on dancing and enjoying some more. Then I’ll see which race I’m ready for. Do I get the EC or not (in augustus in München, red.)? Will it make it to the World Cup (in november in Liverpool, red.) or not?”
“I’m not going to push myself for something I don’t feel ready for at the time. I’m not someone who goes to a World Cup just to compete. I have a certain standard that I impose on myself. If it’s not within my potential, it’s better not to go. But I want to be at my best again by the 2023 World Cup in Antwerp.”
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