RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Ana Paula Scheffer, ex-athlete of the Brazilian rhythmic gymnastics team, was found dead at home on Friday, October 16th, in Toledo, western Paraná. The ex-gymnast was 31 years old and worked as a technician in Cascavel, Paraná. According to her family, it is suspected that she suffered a heart attack.
According to the family, Ana Paula Scheffer was lying on her bed when she was found, at about 12 noon, by her mother Sonia Scheffer.
“She was a very cheerful, very sweet girl. She never gave me any trouble, she was very sweet. She was our pride, my two children are my pride. It will be harder, because it seems like a dream what I’m going through. The moment it sinks in, it will be hard,” said the mother.
The cause of death is still to be determined, but it is suspected that she suffered a heart attack, according to the family. “We have no idea, they say it was a heart attack, but we must wait for the result. It was probably a heart attack, there’s no explanation. It didn’t sink in yet,” said the mother. According to Sonia, her daughter was not sick or complaining of pain.
The wake should be held in Toledo this Saturday, October 17th, but the location had not yet been set. The family was waiting for the arrival of Ana Paula’s brother, who lives in Canada. The funeral should be held on Sunday, October 18th.
The ex-athlete’s body was taken to Toledo’s Forensic Medicine Institute and had not been yet released to the family until this report was published.
2007 Pan-American Medal
Ana Paula won a bronze medal in the Hoop routine at the Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2007.
According to the Brazilian Gymnastics Confederation, Ana Paula also worked as a coach in the Individual and Set Rhythmic Gymnastics transitional teams.
Trajectory
Ana Paula Scheffer began training as a child in the Toledo rhythmic gymnastics team. She represented the city in several national and international competitions, with emphasis on the individual category.
As a young girl, she won medals in Paraná and Brazilian championships and was part of the Brazilian team of rhythmic gymnastics between 2005 and 2015. At the time, she competed in four world championships, as well as the Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro.
According to the Toledo rhythmic gymnastics team, Ana Paula was demanding and dedicated. She was currently reaping her first achievements with students on the podium, in Brazilian and South American competitions.
In 2011, the athlete was honored by the Toledo City Hall with the Willy Barth Medal, for her dedication and achievements in Brazilian and world sports as a representative of the city.
Repercussion
“She is among the athletes who built our rhythmic gymnastics, which made her a source of great pride for Brazilians. In addition to inspiring, she had an important role in training new athletes in Paraná. She left too early, but she won’t be forgotten. My condolences to her family and friends,” said Maria Resende, the CBG president.
The City Hall of Cascavel, where Ana worked, said that the ex-athlete made history in rhythmic gymnastics, inspiring children and adults and popularizing the sport in Brazil.
The ex-gymnast worked at the Alice Martelli Sports Initiation Center, where she taught over 200 children. Recently, she was at the head of the institution’s performance team.
The Toledo City Hall also lamented the death of the ex-gymnast, who became an inspiration in the sport. According to the city’s Secretary of Sports and Leisure, Ana Paula was special, a joyful, friendly, talented young woman who loved everything she did.
Source: G1