A talented student gymnast from City of Westminster College has qualified for the 2022 Rhythmic European Championships.
Marfa Ekimova, who is currently studying for an NCFE Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity, will be part of the Great Britain Team for the competition in Israel this summer.
The championships will take place in Tel Aviv between 15-19 June 2022.
Marfa is coached by Villy Antonova and Rachel Ennis and is a member of West London Gymnastics.
She has done a tremendous job of balancing both her impressive career in rhythmic gymnastics and her studies, achieving great success in both.
In her spare time, Marfa is a passionate music lover, especially playing the bassoon and piano, and studies A Level music at Trinity Laban Conservatory.
Marfa has already achieved success at other tournaments, placing 37th at the 2021 European Championships and has also taking a respectable 44th place at the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships.
City of Westminster College, and the entire United Colleges Group, is incredibly proud of Marfa for her record of achievement and considers her to be a brilliant example for others to follow.
The entire UCG community also wishes her every success at the championships.
Commenting, Marfa Ekimova, said:
“I am thrilled to have qualified for this competition and look forward to joining the rest of the Great Britain Team in Tel Aviv.
“I would also like to thank my lecturers, coaches, and everyone who has given me their support in getting to this level.
“I’ve got a great team behind me and I’m so grateful to know that they’ll be cheering my teammates and I on.”
Stephen Davis, Group Principal and CEO of the United Colleges Group, said:
“Marfa is a wonderfully talented athlete and we at City of Westminster College are incredibly proud of everything she has achieved.
“We’ll certainly all be pulling for her as she heads to Israel to compete.
“At City of Westminster College, and across the United Colleges Group, we are committed to helping our students achieve excellence and fulfil their ambitions and Marfa is a terrific example of this.”
“My experience at College of Northwest London, has been exciting, it has been thrilling and it has been full of opportunities, and we have the tutors that help us whenever we’re in need. We go on educational trips to get a feel for what university life is like. We have the careers advisors that help us on our path, our university path.”
“The facilities here are brilliant. You have range of courses you can study. My teachers in the Performing Arts department have got history in the industry, which is very useful. You get to ask them for advice and actual knowledge from the industry, and take that into your own work within the college also afterwards. ”
“At City of Westminster College, my experience has been the best of all the other colleges I’ve attended. The reason I like CWC is because the teachers make my journey easier with assessment and exams. I’m a Level Two Science student and I enjoy my lessons because most of them are practical, which are helpful for me. I love studying at CWC because you meet people from other countries – all over the world and from all different communities.”
“My favourite thing about studying here has definitely got to be the teachers. They’re really helpful, kind and in the industry, so it’s good.”
“The technical knowledge and hands-on experience gained during my apprenticeship at College of North West London have been invaluable, particularly in understanding site processes, health and safety requirements and the understanding of electrical systems.”
“My experience studying at City of Westminster College has been amazing. It’s been so welcoming; I enjoy it very much because of the staff members we have here. They’re very approachable and I could come to them with any question, and it will be answered straight away. And if I come early for a class, I can use the Learning Resources Centre, I can use the computers, the books, just to continue all my studies outside the classroom time.”
“The training process was seamless. I had good instructors who were very flexible, supporting people of all learning levels. On the last day after our exams, a security company came and did a presentation. We had the opportunity to have an interview afterwards. I told them about my experiences, and they said I would be a good fit. I formally applied for a role and started with the company soon after. Getting into security has opened doors for me. I hope I will continue to take steps up the career ladder.”
“Coming to study at the City of Westminster College was the best decision that I had ever made. The teachers are very accommodating – they help you learn things in a way that might be easier for you to learn. They are very supportive and I think that’s one of the best things about learning here.”
“I was so grateful to have won Apprentice of the Year at the West London Business Awards 2026, I could not have done it without the support my company Size Group and the College of North West London.”
