Darián Cobas, the Cuban gymnast thriving in Cirque du Soleil: 'It's the Real Madrid of circuses'

The former elite gymnast Darián Cobas, a confessed Real Madrid fan, shines on the aerial straps of Cirque du Soleil. The show 'Kurios' is being performed in Alicante.

Darián Cobas, 28, went from dreaming of the Paris 2024 Olympics to hanging from the aerial straps of Cirque du Soleil. The Cuban gymnast, who was a national champion in junior and senior categories, found a new way to fly in the circus. Now, his act is one of the highlights of 'Kurios', the show that the Canadian company presents in Alicante.

From elite gymnastics to the circus: a risky leap

Cobas started artistic gymnastics at the age of six in Cuba, where he became a champion in both junior and senior levels. However, at 20, at the peak of his career, he decided to change direction.

“I lived in Cuba and the conditions are not optimal for sports. I wanted to see the world and the circus gave me that opportunity,” he explains.

His training was aimed at the Paris 2024 Games, where Cuba aspired to send a full team for the first time in two decades. But Cobas preferred to explore other horizons.

The harshness of the circus compared to sports

For the artist, the physical demands of the circus are no less than those of elite sports, although the wear and tear is different.

“In sports, you prepared for five competitions a year. Here you compete every day, one, two, and even three times. Mentally, it is very tough,” he states.

Injuries are also present, although rarely serious. Cobas highlights that the circus requires a constant discipline and an adaptability that few sports demand.

Cirque du Soleil, the Real Madrid of circuses

A confessed Real Madrid fan since the days of Zinedine Zidane, Cobas does not hesitate to compare the company to his football team.

“I have worked in other circuses and musicals, but Cirque du Soleil is the Real Madrid of the circus,” he asserts.

His passion for the white club leads him to watch Madrid matches before going on stage.

“Some people listen to music to concentrate; I watch Madrid matches. It’s my way of motivating myself,” he confesses.

An uncertain but promising future

For now, Cobas continues to fly in Alicante, where 'Kurios' will remain on stage until further notice. The show, an ode to imagination and science fiction, has received excellent reviews. For the audience from the Community of Madrid, who can travel to the Alicante city, it is a unique opportunity to see an artist who swapped the parallel bars for aerial straps and who, despite everything, remains an elite athlete at heart. As he himself says:

“The circus is my new competition, and each performance is a final.”