Coaches Lourenço França and Carolina Dias joined Portugal’s junior mixed pair, men’s pair and women’s trio to discuss preparation, trust and the ambition of representing their country at AcroPesaro 2026.

Portugal is preparing a new generation of junior gymnasts for AcroPesaro 2026, continuing a sporting journey built through education, shared knowledge and long-term athlete development.

During a special AcroPesaro 2026 live interview, coaches Lourenço França and Carolina Dias were joined by mixed pair Jorge Silva and Mariana Pinheiro, men’s pair Gabriel Vilela and João Samico, and women’s trio Olga Oliveira, Beatriz Fidalgo and Leonor Ferreira.

Different partnerships and personalities form one united team, connected by trust, friendship and the desire to represent Portugal at their best.

Education and a new Portuguese generation

For Lourenço França, Portugal’s progress in Acrobatic Gymnastics has been achieved through education and the exchange of knowledge between coaches.

“We have a very strong education programme, and we always try to learn more from each other,” he explained. “Everything we have achieved has come through hard work, our own process and the sharing of knowledge.”

Carolina Dias brings her own experience as a former international gymnast into her coaching work. After competing until 2021 and achieving important World Cup results in mixed pairs, she moved into coaching with Lourenço’s support.

“Everything I experienced as an athlete helps me develop my gymnasts,” she said. “It helps me understand their objectives and support them in achieving their dreams.”

The Portuguese junior partnerships were formed during the current season. According to Carolina, the similar ages and shared motivation of the athletes have helped them develop together and create a strong team identity.

“This entire team is new,” she explained. “They motivate one another, build confidence together and follow the same rhythm.”

In the final phase of preparation, the main technical focus will be execution and artistry, two areas that may make the difference in the junior categories.

Jorge Silva and Mariana Pinheiro: growing together

The partnership between Gabriel Vilela and João Samico is strengthened by a friendship that extends beyond training and competition.

Before forming their current men’s pair, they competed together as part of Portugal’s junior men’s group.

At the 2025 European Championships in Luxembourg, the group won gold in the dynamic exercise and all-around competition, as well as silver in balance.

“One of our strengths is our friendship,” João explained. “When training becomes difficult, sometimes we joke a little and release the pressure. That helps us a lot.”

Gabriel believes that their connection was present from the beginning.

“We immediately had a good relationship,” he said. “That complicity helps us develop both individually and as a pair.”

During competition, they remain focused on their routine, but the voices and applause coming from the stands still provide additional motivation.

“We know our parents and teammates are there supporting us,” Gabriel said. “It gives us extra strength.”

Alongside the competition, the pair is looking forward to discovering Pesaro, visiting the beach and experiencing Italian culture and food.

Olga Oliveira, Beatriz Fidalgo and Leonor Ferreira: trust within the trio

Women’s trio Olga Oliveira, Beatriz Fidalgo and Leonor Ferreira discovered Acrobatic Gymnastics through different experiences, but they now share the same commitment to the sport.

Their preparation involves many hours of repetition, allowing them to understand one another’s movements and reactions.

“We know each other’s possible mistakes and understand how to compensate so that everything goes well,” Beatriz explained.

Trust between the bases and the top is essential

“The top needs to know that the bases will do everything possible to keep her safe,” Beatriz added.

The top’s answer reflected the strength of their relationship:

“I trust them completely. We train for many hours, and I know they are there for me.”

Winning the Portuguese national title was one of the trio’s most important achievements this season.

In Pesaro, they hope to enjoy the experience, meet gymnasts from different countries and feel the pride of representing Portugal on the world stage.

They also highlighted the importance of seeing familiar faces in the audience after completing a routine.

“That support gives us comfort and helps us give our best,” they explained.

Trust, support and the final performance

Throughout the interview, one word connected every partnership: trust.

For Lourenço, mental preparation is inseparable from physical and technical training.

“The mind commands everything else,” he said. “An athlete can be physically prepared, but if the mind is not ready, it becomes impossible to achieve the desired performance.”

In Acrobatic Gymnastics, athletes must trust their partners and coaches, while also feeling that their coaches trust them.

“Trust takes time to build,” Lourenço explained. “But good things take time. Once that trust is achieved, everything becomes easier.”

Both coaches and athletes also emphasised the importance of competing in front of an engaged audience.
“You want to feel a crowd,” Lourenço said. “Everyone is cheering for everyone, and that is very important for the athletes.”

When asked what would make him feel truly proud of the Portuguese team, regardless of the final scores, his answer focused on the gymnasts’ own satisfaction.

“If they sit in the Kiss and Cry area happy and proud of what they achieved, our job is done,” he said. “The score that comes afterwards no longer depends entirely on them.”

For Jorge Silva and Mariana Pinheiro, Gabriel Vilela and João Samico, and Olga Oliveira, Beatriz Fidalgo and Leonor Ferreira, the Portuguese AcroDream is being built through discipline, friendship and the courage to continue learning.

When they enter the competition floor in Pesaro, they will carry their ambitions, the work of their coaches and the support of everyone who has accompanied their journey.

AcroPesaro 2026

The 2nd Acrobatic Gymnastics Junior World Championships and 14th World Youth Competition will take place from 17 to 20 September 2026, followed by the 30th Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships, scheduled from 24 to 27 September 2026, at the Vitrifrigo Arena in Pesaro, Italy.

Follow AcroPesaro 2026:

Website: acropesaro2026.com
Social media: @acropesaro

Tickets are available online only through Vivaticket, with no ticket sales at the venue. Supporters are encouraged to secure their seats in advance and become part of the atmosphere that makes every performance even more special for the athletes.

Text: Silvana Conte
Photos: World Gymnastics