On December 21st, the German gymnast Emelie Petz posted a carousel of photos on her Instagram in which she wore her leotard and talked about her mental health issues and made a saddening confession. In her pictures, on-screen text, Emelie described that as much as gymnastics is a beautiful sport, it has left her emotionally injured. She candidly shared her battles with an eating disorder and the constant feeling of never being good enough. Alongside this, she revealed a harsh truth about the sport, saying, “My injury has shown me that some people are only interested in me when I am successful.” This insight brought a new layer to the messages she wants to convey to her audience regarding the life athletes lead aside from competition.

In the caption, Emelie Petz decided to share more about her mental health issues. She said, “These are things I struggle with, and I have realized the last few years. Every person has things that he struggles with, and most of the time he fights with himself. I know from personal experience that most of the time is not the best solution…I am very grateful for everyone who has always supported me & are always there for me!” It was clear that Emelie was seeking to heal and find her balance in life after gymnastics, showing her vulnerability in hopes of fostering understanding and connection. And now that this 21-year-old is retiring from the sport, here is all you need to know about her.

Who is Emelie Petz ?

Swabia-born Emelie Petz had big ambitions from a tender age in her life. Ever since her first day at the TSG Backnang gym as a preschooler performing cartwheels and somersaults in her parents’ living room, she had a dream to become a world champion. “They could make me a world champion here,” she once famously declared for that living room. Since then, that ambition and determination did not waver until her retirement. While primary school had a brief period when she thought of leaving the hard way and go back to a normal life, Petz knew it was the right thing to do.

Petz has been a five time German youth champion and was part of the national team hence supporting her belief in her abilities. In junior years, she was reigning German championships for several years in a row and winning championships across all apparatus. Despite her early promise, it was unexpected when she made her breakthrough onto the women’s national team in her very first year, representing Germany at the European Championships in 2019 in Szczecin. This came after a tough period of recovery from her first operation and subsequent foot problems that saw her spend many months in training. However, she strove and performed at international competitions such as the European Youth Festival in Györ, where she won a silver medal and this was after being involved in one or two accidents.

Working with such experienced partners as Kim Bui and Elisabeth Seitz, Petz has learned a lot and received a lot of advice. “They give me tips on how to best deliver my stuff and give me support,” she says. Her experience has been a combination of class and determination and she has always moved on regardless of the fact that she is next to very experienced players in her group. It is not the first time for Petz to be the ‘chick’, but she has grown to be a mature and determined athlete. Though her dreams were lofty, Emelie Petz’s journey ended sooner than expected with her early retirement. However, even in her young age, she left a lasting impact and there is one thing that stands out about her brief career.

Petz’s legendary career move!

Imagine having your own move forever etched into the sport’s rulebooks. For gymnasts, it is a significant accomplishment to have a skill named after him or her in the FIG Code of Points, and to have that skill performed successfully at an Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games or a World Championship event. And the move has to be done at least C level of difficulty, with A being the lowest.

Emelie Petz, at just 16 years old, achieved this remarkable honor at the 2019 World Gymnastics Championships. While her team narrowly missed out on the team final, they secured their spot for the Tokyo 2020 Games, making history as one of the top nine teams to qualify. But what truly sets her apart is the D-value bar dismount named after her—something unique and lasting.

“It’s such a nice feeling,” Emelie told GymCastic after she completed her element at the 2019 Worlds. “I’m 16 years old and I have my own element on bars. It’s named after me, so it’s a Petz.” Such a routine as her clear straddle circle, leading into a front flip with a full twist in a tucked position will remain in the history of gymnastics even now after she has left the sport.