Through strength and grace combined with a hoop, ball, some clubs and a ribbon, freshman Amy Zhang has competed in rhythmic gymnastics at international tournaments alongside her team. 

Zhang, who recently earned a bronze medal for her ribbon routine at an international competition in Canada, was playful as a child and liked to stay active which initially led her to ballet and artistic gymnastics. However, she soon found that the two weren’t what she was looking for and decided to switch to rhythmic gymnastics. In 2016, when Zhang was six, she walked into her gym for the first time, excited to see what the new sport would be like. 

“I remember my first practice, I thought the apparatus was so cool and everyone was so flexible like, ‘Oh my god, how do they do that?’” Zhang said. “And I remember seeing older girls who were tossing hoops and clubs in the air and I was like, ‘I wish one day I can be like them, I can do that.’” 

Zhang worked hard, flourishing in the sport and learning how to use the various apparatuses she dreamed of since that first day. She found that rhythmic gymnastics was a perfect combination of art and sport. For Zhang, a typical week consists of 25 hours of practice, four to five hours a day. Practice before a competition can be even longer because the gymnasts need to hone many abilities to be successful. Zhang said the sport is especially challenging because it requires precision and control.

“You’re not only working on your body’s flexibility, strength and coordination, but you’re also handling and dancing with an apparatus at the same time and everything has to flow perfectly with the music,” Zhang said. “Even the smallest mistake, like a drop or a misstep, can throw off an entire routine.”

The pressure and mental stress can also be a challenge; Zhang has to focus on presenting herself in the best way she can. 

“It takes a lot of mental strength; I’d say probably more mental strength than physical strength because you’re constantly striving for perfection while staying calm under pressure, but overcoming those challenges is what makes the progress so rewarding,” Zhang said. 

Rhythmic gymnastics has helped her open up and express herself like never before. Zhang was shy and anxious as a child, having a hard time being around people, but the experience of rhythmic gymnastics let her confidence grow. 

“I think the sport really pushed me to be more open and make new connections and be more extroverted,” Zhang said. 

Rhythmic gymnasts use various apparatuses in their routines. The younger kids use rope and do floor routines, while the older gymnasts train with clubs, hoops, balls and Zhang’s personal favorite, ribbon. 

“I just love how it moves in the air with your body and how it’s like an extension to your body as well,” Zhang said. “It’s like painting in the air. It’s very graceful and smooth and it perfectly matches a lot of music styles.” 

Towards the end of August of 2019, Zhang switched teams to Rhythmic Stars Gymnastics Academy where she met her teammate and friend Brookline senior Leah Gressel. 

“When I first met [Amy] she was definitely a little shy,” Gressel said. “But as time has passed I have seen her gain a lot of confidence. She has improved on showing her expression in her routines so much over the years and I always enjoy watching her perform her routines.” 

However, the COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges for Zhang. Practice took place over Zoom which limited them to basic stretches, conditioning, and rarely working with their apparatuses. The transition back to the gym was just as tough. Zhang had just moved up to level seven, an intermediate level that allows gymnasts to compete at national competitions, and was only able to practice for two months before the 2021 Regional competition in Lake Placid, New York. 

“This regionals was really special because the first day really didn’t go well,” Zhang said. “I remember it really clearly, I dropped my ball like two times, I tossed my club out of the carpet and it was just a really terrible experience but I didn’t give up. I was like ‘I’m gonna compete, I’m determined for the second day.’” 

The second day was better for Zhang; she won a silver medal for her hoop routine and placed ninth overall in the Northeast Region, which qualified her for Nationals. Zhang said the Nationals that year weren’t the best for her, but she learned valuable lessons. 

“It was definitely a learning experience for me because that year was challenging, but I learned a lot and I’m happy I was a part of that wonderful experience,” Zhang said. 

The following year she attended Regionals in Lake Placid again where she placed fifth overall. Then Nationals took place in the Wisconsin Dells where she represented the Northeast Region, Zhang got 38th overall, her team placing first. 

After that Nationals competition, she moved on to the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) as a junior athlete, allowing her to compete in Canada in February of 2025. The internationals were a dream come true for Zhang who placed seventh overall and earned a bronze medal for her ribbon routine. 

“It’s a really nice experience to see people from other countries compete,” Zhang said. “It was a very rewarding experience, it was nice to step on the podium alongside other gymnasts.”