Kaylia Nemour is an Algerian gymnast. She created a sensation at the World Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium on Saturday October 7. Aged 16, she won the silver medal on the uneven bars behind the Chinese Qiyuan Qiu but ahead of the American Simon Biles, only fifth on this apparatus. She answers RFI’s questions.
Published on: 10/11/2023 – 3:03 p.m.
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Kaylia Nemour gave Algeria and Africa its first world medal in gymnastics. Until last April she wore the colors of the French team. Trained in France since a young age, she trains in Indre et Loire, in central France. In conflict for months with the French Gymnastics Federation, after injuries, its leaders did not want to give her the green light to resume competition. She then chose Algeria.
RFI: How did you feel after this fantastic move on the uneven bars which gave you the silver medal?
Kaylia Nemour : I didn’t believe it, I was very, very, very happy but there is a little side of me that is still a little disappointed because I still came up short of the gold medal. I really have to take a step back to tell myself that I was at the World Championships where there are really all the great gymnasts. To think that it was the World Championships that I watched when I was very little and I said to myself wow, these are really strong girls. There, I realize that it is truly incredible what I have done.
Did you even finish ahead of Simon Biles, the American who took 5th place?
Yes but we know that her weak point is the bars, so I still expected to be in front of her on the bars.
Are the uneven bars really your favorite apparatus, is it your strong point?
Yes, bars are my favorite apparatus. When I’m on the bars I’m flying, I know exactly where I am in space. People say, but how does she do all that?
Exceptional Kaylia #Nemour the Algerian gymnast ???????? vice-world champion on the uneven bars at #Antwerp!
Until last May she competed for France but #FFG French federation of #gym put obstacles in her way… so she chose Algeria ????! https://t.co/j4R5nH906P— Frédéric Suteau (@FredSuteau) October 9, 2023
You are 16 years old, 17 years old at the end of the year and you won this silver medal at the World Championships under the colors of Algeria.
A world medal in gymnastics is a first for Algeria and for Africa. It’s a great first, it’s true and I’m super proud to have represented my country. It is a great pride to have been able to win this medal for Algeria.
The last few years have been complicated. You first shone among the young people with the French team then you were injured and then there were misunderstandings, things left unsaid with the French Gymnastics Federation. Is this what led you to turn to Algeria?
It was a relief yes because that’s what allowed me to finally be able to compete again. During this period I had a lot of support from my family, my coaches, the people who follow me. My mother and my coaches told me to stay focused in my training, to stay in my bubble. They were great. But it’s the past, it’s behind me, I have to keep moving forward.
Did this period leave its mark, was it with reluctance that you left the French team to join the Algerian selection?
When I was little, I dreamed of wearing the colors of the French team, it’s true, but things turned out differently, Algeria opened its doors to me and welcomed me with open arms, so I’m very happy .
Have you received many congratulatory messages from Algeria?
Lots of congratulatory messages yes. I don’t know if I’ll go soon but I think it will come. In any case for now they all congratulate me and I thank Algeria for all this support.
Has the gym always been a passion?
I started gymnastics at four years old. At first it was my big sister who did gymnastics, and then my mother signed me up too and here I am today.
In Antwerp you handled the pressure on your shoulders superbly, winning a silver medal on the uneven bars for your first World Championships. Does this mean that in a year in Paris at the Olympic Games you will aim for the title?
That’s it, I’ve been preparing for all these years to go to the Games and now that I’m qualified the goal is obviously a medal at the Olympics.
