Zachari Hrimeche (FRA)

2014 was a great year for Zachari: tree time’s medalist at the European Junior Championships he was also selected to the gymnast representing France at the Youth Olympic Games. He has become a senior this season and already made the French team for European Championships.

What made you start gymnastics?

I started doing gymnastics when I was 5-6 years old. I was super active, I moved and climbed everywhere, I was doing somersaults on my bed trying to reproduce the figures of my favorite movies’ heroes. My sister practiced Women’s Artistic Gymnastics in a small club in Laval and when I went there with my mother to pick her up, it was as if I was in the perfect place to try my new movements. So I naturally ended up being part of the club.

What is a typical day like?

I get up at 7 am, I take my breakfast before going to class from 7:45 am to 10 am. Then I go to training from 10:15 to 13 pm. After a lunch break, I go back to class from 2:15 pm to 3:10 pm. The afternoon training runs from 3:30 pm to 6:45 pm and is followed by spa session and moments with the physio. I end my day having dinner, a little bit of homework and relaxing with friends.

What is your gymnastics’ best memory?

My all last season was amazing! Traveling the world and get good results was really pleasant. I ‘m not sure which of these moments to choose… The Youth Olympic Games have been really great. The European Championships also, thanks to the great medal won with my teammates, but also my individual performance.

Medalist in Sofia, selected for Nanjing, selected for the European Championships from your first year of Senior… It looks like that everything sounds perfect for you?

I think this is the result of hard work. I always try to aim higher and learn faster; always find new challenges in order to compete the best as possible. For the moment we can say that everything went perfect to me, but I never stop aiming for more.

Do you feel more pressure with a European Championships organized in France, with the French audience?

This will be my first European Championship in France but I participated 3 times to the Paris World Cup. The French audience was great and pushed us as he knows very well our discipline.

What are your goals for this competition?

My goal is first to qualify for the vault final. Obviously I would like to get a medal on that event, because anything is possible when you are in the final. Why not gold? My starting values could perhaps allow me to consider this type of result …

Thomas Bouhail about Zachari: “ Next French star on vault ! He is so talented on this event!”