The SmartScoring Shooting Star Award goes to … Nicol Ruprecht (AUT)

At the conclusion of 35^th Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships, Kamran Ramazanov of our global partner SmartScoring presented the SmartScoring Shooting star award to Austrian national champion Nicol Ruprecht.  

This award came into life last year and 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.

Ruprecht started rhythmic gymnastics in 2001 with her first major international event being the 2010 World Championships. Since then, she has competed in many European and World Championships and achieved her Olympic dream by participating in Rio 2016. That year she was named Female Athlete of the Year in Austria. A foot injury hindered her performance at last year’s Europeans but she soldiered through, finishing 15^th in the all-around, her best ever ranking.

Since 2013 she is the undisputed Champion in Austria, having won the national all-around title for 7 consecutive years. This year she even improved her personal best. Nici, as she is affectionately known, is an inspiration and role model for many young gymnasts.

With tears in her eyes, Nici told us: