Ottawa, ON (August 26, 2025) – Canadian rhythmic gymnast Carmel Kallemaa has been awarded the prestigious Legend Award from the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) at the 2025 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships.
Kallemaa, at 27 years old, was recognized as the oldest competitor at this year’s World Championships, a remarkable distinction in a discipline traditionally dominated by younger athletes. She is also one of only two athletes born in the 20th century to compete at this year’s event, highlighting her longevity, resilience, and dedication to the sport.
“I feel so honoured to receive The Rhythmic Gymnastics Legend award”, said Carmel Kallemaa. “My biggest wish is to encourage gymnasts to stay in the sport longer, because if you truly love what you do, you should hold on to it for as long as you can. A big thank you goes to my coach and mom, Janika Mölder, who has guided me in the right way and kept me healthy throughout my journey. There is such a difference between when I competed at 17 years old and now at 27, back then I was only focused on results, but now I truly understand the enjoyment of every performance and I know how to take it all in. I hope my journey shows that with passion, love and the right support, it’s possible to continue growing, competing and finding joy in every moment on the carpet.”
Kallemaa has represented Canada with distinction at multiple World Championships, World Cups and international competitions, continually pushing boundaries and raising the profile of Canadian rhythmic gymnastics on the global stage.
© Ph by Simone Ferraro – Filippo Tomasi
© Ph by Simone Ferraro – Filippo Tomasi