Karnejenko's Return to Competition
After initially retiring in 2023, gymnast Pavel Karnejenko has reversed his decision and will represent Scotland at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Sixteen years after relocating from Estonia to Scotland, Karnejenko describes this opportunity as a "full circle moment."
Born in Tallinn, Estonia, Karnejenko, 26, moved to Glasgow in 2010 with his parents, who sought better opportunities for him and his two sisters. He qualifies to compete for Scotland under residency regulations.
He expressed a deep sense of pride and emotion about competing for his adopted country in the city he now calls home.
"I learned the language here, I learned gymnastics here, I made loads of friends and just feel really connected to Glasgow – it is my home now, I have been here more than Estonia," Karnejenko said ahead of his second Commonwealth Games, having previously represented Scotland at Birmingham 2022.
"It has just been a crazy journey and it is a full circle moment and now we are here.
"I have still got some of my family in Estonia so I still feel connected to Estonia. But I grew up in Glasgow."
Early Gymnastics Experience and Development
Karnejenko's initial exposure to gymnastics was informal, practicing backflips on pillows stacked on his living room sofa. His passion for the sport developed significantly after moving to Glasgow.
"I was already doing crazy things around the house and my mum just wanted to take me somewhere that I could do it safely and I just had a massive passion for it, fell in love, it was just my life ever since," he explained.
He noted that gymnastics opportunities were limited in Estonia during his childhood, prompting his family to seek clubs in the UK.
"We knew in the UK there were a lot more gymnastics clubs because in Estonia, especially when I was there when I was a kid, there weren't any.
"We found the City of Glasgow Gymnastics Club. I remember coming through the door meeting Marius."
Marius Gherman became Karnejenko's coach, and the gymnast eventually joined the Great Britain squad.
"I couldn't speak English so the boys had to show me the skills because I couldn't actually understand what the coach was saying," he recalled.
"I was terrible when I started because usually gymnasts start when they are around five, six years old. Ten was really late so I had a lot of catching up to do.
"It wasn't easy, there were a lot of setbacks. My first competitions, I was coming last. It was really hard, I was upset.
"But I just remember I had a clear goal in mind that I wanted to be the best in the club and try and get my way up the ranks."
Retirement and Comeback
Karnejenko's career was interrupted by injury, including four ankle surgeries, leading to his retirement three years ago. However, the announcement that the Commonwealth Games would be held in Glasgow motivated his return.
"I can't even put it into words, it is so special to me because I did retire three years ago due to a fourth ankle surgery.
"I didn't think I would ever come back, it was around that time when it was getting confirmed that it was going to be in Glasgow and once it was confirmed the Commonwealth Games was happening and gymnastics was going to be one of the sports. That is when I thought, 'it is time to make a comeback'.
"It feels so special, starting my gymnastics journey here, moving away to train with Team GB down south and then coming back to Glasgow and finishing off this journey with my coach that I originally started, Marius Gherman. It means the world to me.
"And representing Scotland at a home Games, there is not going to be anything that comes close to it – I never wanted to have 'what ifs?'.
"At the end of the day these are the most important parts in your life, memories and highlights."
Karnejenko described the comeback as one of the most challenging experiences of his life, both physically and mentally.
"Not just physically but mentally, especially going into this year with the qualification competitions," he added.
"You still have doubts in your head, like, 'can I still do this because you have not done it for three years?'
"I remember my first competition when I went on the podium and put my hand up to do this routine, it all felt like I never left again. All the nerves and doubts, they almost disappeared.
"That is the thing I miss most about this sport - the nerves, the sick feeling before the competition and when it is paying off there is just not a feeling like it.
"I remember getting that call to say, 'you are in the team'. I was speechless."
