PODCAST ➙ Manila Esposito interview

One of the best gymnasts in the world, Manila Esposito, has not ruled out adding Bars and going back to the all-around. Great news.

But she doesn’t yet feel ready for Bars in Rotterdam.

She is a two-time European all-around champion (2024, 2025), and has won European gold on beam (2024), floor (2024 and 2026), and with the team (2024 and 2025).

Manila is still only age-19.

Click through to listen to the interview.

‘THE EUROPEAN GYMNASTICS PODCAST EPISODE 8: HEADING TO FUNLAND’ IS OUT NOW!

In episode 8 of ‘The European Gymnastics Podcast’, Olly Hogben and Blythe Lawrence focus on the upcoming TeamGym European Championships in Espoo (FIN) and the World Championships in Artistic Gymnastics in Rotterdam (NED).  

Eddie Penev previews Worlds ’26 Vault

To start, both bemoan that Mahdi Olfati from Iran, at war with Trump, did not qualify to World Championships 2026 Rotterdam.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Eddie sees those gymnasts competing Kasamatsu vaults are getting deducted more recently due to common form deductions in the preflight.

  • Carlos Yulo (Philippines)
  • Artur Davtyan (Armenia)
  • Nazar Chepurnyi (Ukraine)

Those are the favourites. But others including Jake Jarman & Harry Hepworth (Great Britain) could potentially compete higher difficulty in the Final.

Eddie expects finalists from Russia, as well.

Click PLAY or watch the interview on YouTube.

World Gymnastics Congress Istanbul ’28

As the 2026 FIG World Gymnastics Congress in Bangkok, Thailand has just concluded, delegates can look forward to Istanbul, Türkiye in 2028.

One of my favourite tourist cities.

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.

Donnell Whittenburg previews Worlds ’26 Rings

The World Rings Champ, Donnell was as freaked out as the rest of us by the new skill debuted by Ilia Zaika at the Paris World Cup.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Artur Akopyan & Galina Marinova – SafeSport

Past coaches of McKayla Maroney and many other elites face consequences after a long, long history of SafeSport complaints.

Stephen Nedoroscik previews ’26 Worlds Pommel Horse

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Stephen talks about the era when every top Pommel guy mainly wanted to increase D-score. Ten skills were counted.

Recently, top guys are putting equal priority on EXECUTION. Highest D-score is no longer the podium secret.

Steve also talked about the current popularity of the Manukyan skill. EVERYONE is training it right now.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Kyle Shewfelt on ’26 Worlds Floor Final

VIDEO PODCAST – 2004 Olympic champ, Kyle Shewfelt, previews the 2026 World Gymnastics Floor Final.

Kyle feels Carlos Yulo is the favourite. Defending 2024 Olympic floor exercise and vault champion from Philippines.

Kensley wouldn’t be surprised if Arseniy Dukhno from Putin’s dicatorship takes the tile.