tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
Elena Colas is the best gymnast. BUT MINAMINO Yume was the best gymnast today at the AA Final. She really put together a terrific 4 routines. Congratulations.
In Győr, Hungary 2019 the Jr. winner was Viktoria Listunova, the best Junior of all-time, I’d argue.
In Antalya, Turkey 2023 the Jr. winner was Nakamura Haruka, an Olympian a year later.
Congratulations to Danila LEYKIN (USA) who finished 4th.
And to home town hero Karl Eldrew Yulo who finished 8th.
Amazingly, Arseny Dukhno still won the title despite falling on H Bar, his last apparatus. He had been near perfect over the previous 11 routines.
Arseny has no B-strength on Rings — but still scores well with swing skills and a Triple Tuck dismount.
In Győr, Hungary 2019 the Jr. winner was Shinnosuke Oka who went on to be the Olympic champion.
In Antalya, Turkey 2023 the Jr. winner was Qin Guohuan. Ángel Barajas was second.
I’m sure Arseny was wondering if he’d ever get a chance to compete in an FIG Worlds. He comes from the banned Putin dictatorship.
I led a week long Olympic Solidarity coaching course in Manila in 2011.
MAG and WAG.
Gymnastics was not well developed at that time. Good facilities just being built.
BUT it was obvious that the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines was passionate and determined to build.
Not too many years later they had a World and Olympic champion in Carlos Yulo.
This is only the 36th largest economy of the world.
Both MAG and WAG Artistic programs have grown quickly. What other nation has done so much in so few years?
They are still improving.
I share my excitement and profound optimism for the Philippines’ turn on the world stage. Long dominated by gymnastics powerhouses, the hosting of a global event by this beautiful island country is a tribute to FIG’s inclusivity and to humanity’s aspirations for independence and global solidarity.
FIG President Watanabe
Read the FIG summing-up:
Some are wondering if USA is just another top team in 2025. I wouldn’t go that far. BUT the USA is beatable right now without Simone. Similarly, Brazil is beatable without Rebeca.
In a 3-up, 3-count team final, one consistent superstar makes a big difference.
I feel Elena’s scores are legit in comparison to the Senior scoring in Jakarta. Bars might be a tenth or two high, but I’m OK with 14.5. That performance would have won the Sr. Worlds AA title. Without question, Elena is a podium contender already in Senior.
Who’s the best Junior we’ve ever seen? I’d say Victoria Komova. But Elena is not far behind.
Read the International Gymnast magazine summing-up:
Elena Colas steers France to women’s team gold at Junior World Championships
Click PLAY or watch HIGHLIGHTS on YouTube.
From the Qualification Day – November 21st in Manila, Philippines.
I heard today from FIG that between 1/3 and 1/2 of these Juniors will one day compete a Senior World Championships. It really is a stepping stone.
🥇 France 🇫🇷 108.432
🥈 Japan 🇯🇵 107.930
🥉 USA 🇺🇸 106.230
The BIG story of the day is Elena Colas from France having a near perfect day, hitting and sticking almost everything. This performance would have won the 2025 World Senior Championships, in my opinion.
I was happy to see so many gymnasts compete two Vaults, even if they did not aspire to qualify for the Final. Good experience for the future.
Relatively few have Maloney and Van Leeuwen.
Perhaps the weakest apparatus, overall. But the finalists are excellent. Some of these qualifying routines were hit with no visible deductions. Judges have to invent -1.8 out of elbows bent, or something. 😀
There were many high difficulty mounts. It makes the apparatus more exciting. On the other hand, I was surprised how many Juniors opted to do safer dismounts ➙ Forward Layouts and with twist. Smart.
Reserve Chou Mei (Taiwan) is excellent.
Everyone agrees that artistry (whatever that is) has much improved. Gymnasts are spending more time and effort preparing choreography. Trying to tell a story with their routine.
Read the FIG summing-up:
Chinese men strike gold as Junior World Championships get underway in Manila
Watching Podium training, I expected a lot of falls. BUT performances in competition were good, overall.
Falls mostly on:
Many fell on Vault landings, but not many felt unsafe. Most of the nations made good decisions on difficulty.
Looks to me like we will have more 1/1 twisting Double Tuck dismounts off P Bars in the future. Evan McPhillips (GBR) and Dukhno, for example. All 3 Colombia gymnasts used Flyaway 1/1 twisting Double Tuck dismounts off the end.
Hey. Could Colombia qualify a full team to the L.A. Olympics? They have 2 very strong all-around gymnasts in Ángel Barajas and Camilo Vera.
I recall well when Taiwan qualified a full men’s team unexpectedly. It could happen again.
Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch an INTRO on YouTube.
From the Qualification Day – November 20
China, Japan, USA
Without watching scores, I’d ASSuMEd Japan had beaten China due to higher difficulty. I was way wrong.
Arsenii Dukhno from that Putin nation was easily the top AA gymnast. And he did not have a perfect competition. He’ll definitely contend in the AA at the Los Angeles Olympics. Amazing Vault and Tumbling for a gymnast with a build more suited to swinging.
An excellent podcast.
Patrick Kiens and Daymon Jones, now at WCC Texas, previously coach the Romanian team.
A few notes from the 2025 Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships MAG podium training.
Competition goes 20 to 24 November at the Marriott Grand Ballroom at the Newport World Resorts in the Metro Manila city of Pasay.
Manila Junior Worlds: Women’s podium training showcases depths of global talent
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
FIG posted a preview article:
Gymnastics Coaching.com 