The Ever So Elegant Evita Griskenas Wins the Pan American Games

A very promising gymnast with unique style has won the all around this year's Pan American Games in rhythmic gymnastics. She also grabbed the gold with ball and hoop and is competing with ribbon and clubs tomorrow. Her main competitors included the new Canadian star, Katherine Uchida, the Brazilians Barbara Domingos Natalia Gaudio, her teammate Camilla Feeley and a young gymnast from Argentina who has shown great potential, Sol Feinberg.

"Elegance" would be the first word that comes to mind when you see Evita. But also: a gymnast with polished classical lines, musicality, apparatus technique and charisma.

Born to Lithuanian parents, who were both athletes, Evita Griskenas comes to the US national team from Chicago-based North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center. In 2015, she became the US Junior National Champion and placed 3rd at the  Moscow Grand Prix Junior International Tournament.

As a senior, Evita placed 7th in the team competition at the World Championships in Sofia and advanced to the all-around finals where she dazzled with beautiful performances and a great personal presence on the carpet.

Evita is coached by Natalia Klimouk and Angelina Yovcheva.

She has received ballet training from a very young age with Russian, Bulgarian and Cuban professionals.


I have no doubt that Evita will continue to place among the top 10 in the world if she will continue to show more original and memorable routines.

She fully deserves to be among the world's elite and in contest for the medals at large international tournaments.

Although Evita is less experienced than her powerful teammate on the national team, Laura Zeng, Evita, who is only 18, is already standing out among the world elite with her personal style.

I think her continuous participation will bring competition and improvement in the American team as a whole, and I really hope that her performances and achievements will inspire many girls in the Americas to try to follow in her footsteps.

Congratulations to everyone on the US team on their great work and fantastic potential!