“A result does not define who I am.” Tara Dragas speaks

There is a photograph showing Tara Dragas, not even a year old, holding clubs. A memory she describes as “amusing”, but also emblematic: “It makes me realise why I’ve got to where I am today”. The Friulian from San Daniele candidly admits that “rhythmic gymnastics sort of just happened to me. Then the elegance and precision of the sport kept me going, and my passion has only grown stronger”. It was inevitable, with a grandmother who was a coach and international judge, and a mother, Spela Dragas, who followed the same path to become her technical coach. A mentor who is guiding her towards ever more prestigious results, as was the case in Milan, at the final round of the World Cup, where she won silver in the ball event, but above all bronze in the all-around – her first medal in the all-around competition on the circuit. “It counts for much more than the individual event medals; it demonstrates the value of my routine. If I can perform it correctly, I can climb the all-around rankings – the ones that matter at the Olympics.”

Now, however, her focus is on the World Championships in Frankfurt (12–16 August), which she is approaching “trying not to put pressure on myself: a result doesn’t define who I am. It’s all in the mind there.” When she steps onto that platform, with her mother always reminding her to remember her own worth, she shuts out the world and it’s as if everything else disappears: “It’s just me, the apparatus and the platform. There’s nothing else. In the gym, I focus only on what I can control; everything depends on my concentration – the rest is out of my hands.” Helping her in gymnastics but also in life are Spela’s Slovenian roots, her father’s Montenegrin heritage and the fact that she speaks seven languages. “Knowing so many languages helps me understand different cultures, and this is useful for being a bit more versatile in my movements too. I can interpret different styles and can move from elegant Italian music to a more Balkan-style tune, whilst always managing to remain precise.” Credit goes to her mum, who is her coach, and to the whole family: “I’m glad to have her as my coach; she wants the very best for me 100 per cent, she knows what’s best for me and she knows how to encourage me in just the right way. My grandparents have also been there for me; they’ve always been important. I’m very close to my grandmothers, whom I don’t get to see very often: my maternal grandmother lives in Slovenia, whilst my paternal grandmother is in Belgrade, but I’m always thinking of them. My mum’s mum often calls me and gives me some advice or points out a few things to improve.”

There also seems to be a good dose of determination in the family’s DNA, which she recognises as both a strength and a weakness. Often, it is the people closest to her who have to rein her in from that frantic desire to pursue perfection. “If there’s something I have to do in training, I don’t go home until I’ve managed it. It’s useful, but every now and then it would be better to let it go, not to push myself to the limit. I’ve never hurt myself, but it can be counterproductive. With my temperament, I can’t bring myself to stop; it’s my friends and family who have to rein me in every now and then (she laughs, ed.)”. It is regrettable that such a perfectionist was not awarded her school-leaving certificate (class of 2007) because of a ‘4’ in Physical Education. She does not wish to discuss the incident; she prefers to think about the future, which is yet to be coloured in – given that she likes drawing – and to enjoy it with a few tasty dishes. "I love cooking; I’m good at making tiramisu and apple strudel. I’m passionate about all sports. At training camp, sharing a room with Sofia Raffaeli – who’s always been my idol – we watched the World Cup matches and tennis. I also enjoy going to watch my brother play tennis."