October 15, 2025, 6:00 PM MDT
When Antonella Belén Rocha Muñoz stepped onto the gymnastics mat, thoughts ran through her head.
She was trying to represent the Peruvian national team at the 2025 South American Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Cochabamba, Bolivia — a goal she’s been working towards since she was 6 years old.
Before the competition, she prayed to God, leaving everything in His hands. Trusting that God would protect her, Rocha decided to just enjoy the moment.
“I think it was the balance of nervousness and excitement that made me shine,” she said.
And she shined — Rocha won gold for Peru in the senior duo division, according to the church’s Spanish-language newsroom site.
Rocha said she felt a deep sense of pride and relief as she stood on the podium while singing the Peruvian national anthem. She also felt gratitude to God.
“I feel like this gold medal is not just an athletic achievement, but also a testament to how God has quietly worked to guide me every step of the way and give me the opportunity to experience great things,” she said.
Developing Christlike Attributes Through Challenges
Rocha, a member of the Olaya Ward of the Lima Peru Tahuantinsuyo Stake, has learned much about God and herself through rhythmic gymnastics, a sport that combines gymnastics and dance.
“I believe God gave me this talent and passion for gymnastics not only to compete, but also to grow as a person and learn values such as resilience, humility, perseverance and faith in the process,” she said.
Rocha said there were times during training when she felt tired, doubtful and frustrated. In addition to competing in gymnastics, she is also attending college, and said it can be taxing to split her time between gymnastics practice and studies.
Through it all, Rocha believed that every challenge had a purpose and that God would help her discover that purpose.
“Whenever things got tough, God gave me the strength to keep going, and when this victory came, I felt like it was God’s way of showing me that hard work is always worth it.”
The lessons Rocha has learned through gymnastics apply not just to the gym, but to life as well.
“I learned that working with discipline, belief and passion will get you results,” she said. “I am more motivated, more confident, and even more motivated to continue to grow and achieve my goals both athletically and academically.”
rely on family
Rocha’s gold medal is bigger than herself. She said she relied heavily on her family and team when she needed extra strength.
Rocha’s father, Augusto Rocha Alotoma, takes pride in supporting his daughter temporally, emotionally and spiritually.
During the week of the competition, Augusto encouraged Antonella through remote encouragement and prayed fervently that God would watch over her.
He said it was an “indescribable feeling” to see his daughter win the gold medal, remembering the years of hard work and sacrifices she had made.
“This further strengthened my testimony that God listens to us and gives us what we yearn for when He sees fit and believes we need it,” he said.
