Her Moves: Milana Burka's Story

"Sport and physical activity have had such a positive impact on my life. Through sports, I've made so many fantastic friends, experienced a ton of amazing things with amazing people, and gained valuable life lessons." - Milana Burka

Milana Burka is a 15 year old girl from Ireland with a huge passion for Rhythmic Gymnastics! Milana has the goal of contributing to the development of rhythmic gymnastics in Ireland and to inspire younger athletes! Outside of gymnastics, Milana enjoys reading books, art, and learning about history. We sat down with Milana to ask a few questions about her story!

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How did you first get involved in Rhythmic Gymnastics?

I started rhythmic gymnastics when I was 4 years old. My parents encouraged me to participate in sports, so they chose gymnastics. My dad brought me to a local rhythmic gymnastics club to try it out, and I haven't stopped or looked back since!

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Are there any other sports or activities that you did before Gymnastics?

The first sport that I ever did was rhythmic gymnastics, however I have participated in other sports such as basketball and GAA in school while still doing rhythmic gymnastics.

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How has sport and physical activity impacted your life?

Sport and physical activity have had such a positive impact on my life. Through sports, I've made so many fantastic friends, experienced a ton of amazing things with amazing people, and gained valuable life lessons. Physical exercise keeps me grounded and disciplined because it benefits both my physical and mental health, which I believe to be equally important. Because I am so passionate about it, I believe that sports help me define my identity.

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What is your favourite pre/post exercise snack?

I like eating plenty of fruits. A pre/post exercise snack I like is fruits with yoghurt and a bit of chocolate as a treat.

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Who inspires you to be active?

I'm motivated to be active by my coach, Angelica Kvieczynski. She always encourages us to be our best selves, not just in sports but in life in general, and her approach to sports is really motivating. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle for a clear mind. My family motivates me to remain active as well. My family strives to lead an active, healthy lifestyle, and by doing so, they serve as role models for me.

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What does your school do to encourage an active environment?

I attend Old Bawn Community school and there they let us participate in a variety of different sports during PE as a class group. They are now raising money and will be building an Astro pitch outside of the school to encourage more students to play sports outside or go on walks during lunchtimes.

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Have you noticed other girls your age stepping away from sport? If so, how does that make you feel?

I have definitely noticed other girls my age stepping away from sport. Many of my friends since childhood that I met through sports have now stopped the sport. I find this upsetting since they might not have accomplished the goals and dreams they once held when they were younger. I believe it is important and beneficial for individuals to continue participating in sports, and it is important to inspire and motivate them to do so.

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What’s your advice to someone thinking about dropping out of sport?

I would advise someone thinking about dropping out of sports to think about it carefully before taking action. They should make this choice based solely on their feelings, not anyone else's. They should keep their goals in mind when making this choice since sometimes all it takes is inspiration to keep going and not give up. I'd suggest continuing to maintain an active and healthy routine if someone decides to leave a sport.

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 Is there any advice you have for parents trying to support their daughter participating in sport?

Parents should encourage their daughters to participate in the sport psychologically. Sports may be both mentally and physically demanding. Even if it's just a little amount, parents talking to their daughters and showing them that they support them makes sports simpler, but when their daughters know this, it inspires them to keep going with their sport.

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Have you any advice for someone thinking of getting involved in Gymnastics and how can they get involved?

If anyone wants to get involved in gymnastics, they should feel free to do so. They can call or visit a local gymnastics club and participate in a couple of lessons to see if they enjoy it!

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Who is your female sporting role model?

My female sporting role model is Alexandra Soldatova. She is a rhythmic gymnast who ended her career in 2020. She was among the top rhythmic gymnasts in Russia. She is a gymnast who inspires me because she was so passionate and dedicated to the sport and because she is so graceful and elegant. She has experienced a number of setbacks over her career, about which she raises awareness, which I find to be quite encouraging.

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