Karla Navas, from fun to gymnastics competition

Karla Navas, one of the wonders of Panamanian gymnasticsShe said what she then did just for fun became a passion that brought her closer to the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she could emulate her grandfather who competed in weightlifting in the Mexico ’68 medleys.

“I followed my grandfather’s sports path, William Boyd. First, I went to the Bolivarian Games and won bronze, and my mom told me that my grandfather won a bronze medal in those games, and then he went to the Central American and Caribbean Games and won three medals, and I won four in these last games.” , the 18-year-old athlete specified with a laugh.

That’s why the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games, which ended last week, were different and special for the gymnast. He knew that his grandfather won medals, even though he revealed it He “never” expected to win a gold medal.

in these games the main challenge was to beat Mexico“which is a very great power in gymnastics.”

On you he was the main figure for Panama at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games, winning a gold and three silver medals, one for each team, which is the first time a woman has won so many medals in any discipline. The feat caused gymnastics to become the protagonist of the games.

Navas emphasized that his career is taking shape, and as his mother explains, it bears a special resemblance to his grandfather’s trajectory.

“I owe everything I am to my family, especially my grandfather Guillermo Boyd, who is a very important person in my life. I could not meet him, but what I know is that he entrusted me and I say that when he entrusted me, he gave me all his positive energy from sports”, he stated.

Remember that when his mother, national champion gymnast Veronica Boydhe took her to the gym for the first time, it was all for fun, but when he saw young people riding the bar, beam or doing somersaults, he fell in love with the discipline.

“I saw Isabela Amado, I saw Valentina Brostella, who is now my teammate, in her routines, and that really caught my attention. So when I was growing up my mom little by little I entered the gym and here I am“, he reveals.

Karla Navas is preparing for the World Cup in gymnastics, which will be held from September 30 to October 8and for the Pan American Games in Santiago 2023 (from October 20 to November 5), where they will perform as a team.

in Pan American Games He has high expectations, he wants to “leave Panama high”.

For the World Championship, which will be held in Antwerp, Belgium, the goal is “do a good job, improve your grades and claim an Olympic quota”.

“I’m not thinking about a medal in the World Cupbecause of the high level of competition, but if someone falls it wouldn’t be bad,” he said.

Navas’ long-term goals are studies, so he will take a break from gymnastics after the Pan American Games. to study physiotherapy.

“I am thinking about starting my studies next yearto go more calmly and concentrate more on studying,” he explained.

In addition, she recognized that although gymnastics in Panama goes unnoticed, she hopes that with the good results she and her teammates are achieving, new generations have a better level.

“I am very happy to know that every day we are inspiring more and more girls to do gymnastics and knowing that with our efforts we are doing something good for this sport and its future generations”, he pointed out.