The Shooting star award goes to… Anna Pekarcikova (CZE) and Connor Wharram (GBR)

After the Senior Finals of the 2026 Euopean Championship in TeamGym in Espoo (FIN),  Ahdim Mammadzada, SmartScoring Manager, presented the SmartScoring Shooting stars awards to Anna Pekarcikova (CZE) and Connor Wharram (GBR).

Started in 2018, this award aims to put a gymnast with an exceptional story in the spotlight, someone who is an inspiration for the future generation of gymnasts and the general public alike.

Anna Pekarcikova’s TeamGym journey is a story of dedication, resilience and an unwavering love for her sport. Starting in artistic gymnastics before moving to TeamGym, she went on to win 10 national championship titles with her home club, Bohemians Praha, the latest in 2025. She also represented her country at the European Championships in 2016 as a junior and in 2018 as a senior, finishing in an impressive sixth place.

After stepping away from the national team to focus on her medical studies, graduating in 2025, Anna made a remarkable comeback to the sport she loves. However, her return was challenged by serious health issues. Yet nothing could stop her determination to fight for a place in the national team for the 2026 European Championships. Whether or not she makes the final team, Anna has already become a true inspiration and a hero to her teammates and coaches, showing that resilience, courage and passion can overcome even the toughest challenges.

Connor Wharram’s TeamGym journey is a remarkable story of longevity, resilience and commitment to British TeamGym as well. His international career began in 2010, and Espoo 2026 will mark his ninth consecutive European Championships across 16 years. During this time, he has been part of GBR’s historic rise, winning the country’s first Senior Mixed European medal in 2021, followed by its first European title in 2022 and another silver medal in 2024.

Connor has also earned two European TeamGym All Stars selections, in 2021 and 2022, and has helped push the technical boundaries of British TeamGym through innovative skills and high-difficulty performances. After recovering from a serious foot injury in 2026, he returned to competition to help Bracknell Gymnastics Club win the British Senior Mixed title and earn his place at the Europeans once again.

From junior international to European Champion and two-time All Star, Connor’s journey perfectly embodies the ambition, resilience and teamwork celebrated by the SmartScoring Shooting Star Award.