When you think of the name Michael Jackson, it is unlikely that the next thing to pop into your head is rhythmic gymnastics. This may well change, however, after you watch this performance by German rhythmic gymnast Darja Varfolomeev at the Paris Olympics. Performing to a remixed version of Jackson’s ‘In the Closet,’ Varfolomeev has the crowd mesmerized by her ball routine right from the start, jumping, gliding, and spinning her way to the gold medal that year.
Dressed in a stunning gold leotard that foreshadowed her gold medal win that year, Varfolomeev looked the picture of elegance, strength, grace, and beauty as she danced. The moments when she tossed the ball high into the air and then caught it again after performing several complex floor movements were particularly mesmerising, and sent those lucky enough to be in the crowd that day absolutely wild.
With over a hundred thousand views on YouTube alone, many fans of the performance have flocked to the comments section to show their love for the unusual pairing of Michael Jackson and rhythmic gymnastics. “This woman combines absolute precision and intellect with great musicality and dance talent” reads one of the most popular comments, summing up why Darja was able to do Jackson’s song justice with her routine.
If you’re anything like me, Music Man readers, you will have found yourself absolutely mesmerized by Darja and her talents. If that is indeed the case, then you will definitely want to check out the video below too, which shows the young gymnast performing a slightly different routine to the same Michael Jackson song, but this time at the Rio World Championships earlier this year.
Darja Varfolomeev is clearly an incredibly talented young woman, as many of her rhythmic gymnastic routines to date reveal. Our favorite so far, however, has to be the routine she performed at the Paris Olympics, her movements and mastery of the ball matching perfectly with Michael Jackson’s ‘In The Closet’. We can’t wait to see more of this young lady and her gymnastics talents in the future!
Darja Varfolomeev’s breathtaking routine has redefined expectations by blending the brilliance of rhythmic gymnastics with Michael Jackson’s timeless music. Her gold medal performance captivated audiences worldwide and continues to gain admiration online. Discover more about this extraordinary display and explore the synergy of music and movement that left such an indelible mark by checking out the useful links below.