Esposito responds to physique criticism with European Championship success

Italian artistic gymnast Manila Esposito, who recently secured a gold medal on floor exercise and two silvers at the European Championships in Zagreb, has addressed online criticism regarding her physique. Rather than engaging with detractors, Esposito chose to let her performance speak for itself, asserting that she responded to negative comments with results.

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I have to say that after these achievements, I am regaining my self-confidence, and this is the most important thing.

"I have to say that after these achievements, I am regaining my self-confidence, and this is the most important thing," Esposito, 19, wrote on Instagram. Her success in Zagreb included gold on floor, silver on balance beam, and a team silver medal. These victories came after some social media users made disparaging remarks about her body and musculature.

Esposito shared her perspective on handling such negativity: "Reading those comments is not pleasant. But I didn't respond with words, I responded with results. If you don't like something, simply don't look at it. I like myself just the way I am. Haters are usually the most fragile." She highlighted that her greatest accomplishment was not just the medals, but rediscovering her self-belief and feeling comfortable with her body, which she credits for her athletic capabilities.

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Reading those comments is not pleasant. But I didn't respond with words, I responded with results. If you don't like something, simply don't look at it. I like myself just the way I am. Haters are usually the most fragile.

The president of the Italian Gymnastics Federation, Andrea Facci, condemned the attacks on Esposito, labeling them "indecent." He criticized the excessive freedom afforded to online commenters, often referred to as 'keyboard warriors,' who face no accountability for their actions. Facci called for measures to curb such behavior directed at young athletes, emphasizing the need to protect them from online harassment.

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Today there is too much freedom for the so-called 'keyboard lions,' who do not answer for their actions.