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Oct 19, 2025 we had SIX subdivisions of the best male gymnasts in the world. Two more subdivisions go Oct 20 — with a much better idea what they need to do to make the apparatus final? Triple back? Or go safe?

Leaders so far.

Since there is no team competition this time, gymnasts are looking to qualify to Apparatus and/or AA Finals. Some have a goal to improve their previous best ranking at Worlds.

Read the FIG summing-up of Day 1 Men’s competition:

Difficulty — and difficulties — take centre stage as curtain rises on World Championships in Jakarta

TheGymternet is trying a LIVE blog from the international video feed. 

Kensley Behel is posting to Twitter.  You MIGHT have to log in to X.com in order to see those public tweets.

A few notes I took over 12 hours of competition:

Worst news of the day was hearing Asher Hong injured in training on Floor. He had to withdraw.

There were more falls and mistakes than I expected. And it wasn’t always gambling on Triple Back. In fact, most of the Triples were quite safe. Some will keep that dismount even after FIG devalues Jan. 2026.

• JAPAN in the 1st subdivision.
• One audience concern with this Individual format for Worlds is that some apparatus are empty when none of the gymnasts in the group have decided to compete that event.
• Judging was VERY SLOOOWWW to start.
• Daiki Hashimoto looks good to win the AA at Worlds 2025. He’s easily leading the all-around qualification scores, despite errors.
• I predicted the other Olympic champion, OKA Shinnosuke, to be top 2 AA — but he had many problems in the qualification round. Hopefully he can get it together in the Final.
• Tarrab from Syria stuck Handspring Double Front on Vault.  Excellent gymnasts here from all over the world. 
• All 3 Japanese gymnasts are using Liukin on H Bar. It’s the cool new skill to add for the top gymnasts.
• Minami on Floor has awesome difficulty.  He could win the Floor final with better control.

Good news story for those following Donnell Whittenburg‘s long, long career is that he’s having his best Worlds ever. Many questioned whether he’s still got it at age-31. The answer is … YES.

LEGEND. And lesson in persistence.

• Kameron Nelson competed his best Floor ever since he started including 2 Triples. Respect. His mom, coach and judge, is here cheering with us.

• Caio Souza from Brazil is looking better than ever.
• Fan favourite Milad Karimi looks great, as well.
• Two teams I love to watch: Swiss men and Swedish women. Over the years those programs emphasize form, line, rhythm, artistry.
• We already know Angel Barajas is a superstar at age-19. 4th AA with 80.664 after day 1.
• Talking to some of the male gymnasts … They like the Floor in the competition arena and warm-up Gym. On podium. Dislike the same Floor in the training Gym, on concrete. It’s too hard.
• I’m thrilled there are very few Rybalko skills on H Bar at Worlds. It’s nearly impossible to do those skills well.
• Pommels Final is the most competitive with all the specialists here. Surprisingly, I’d say H Bar is the 2nd most competitive. Vault has been weak compared with previous Worlds.