Olympic champ Nina Derwael retires

On July 12, 2025 Nina Derwael married Thibau Dierickx.

Congratulations.

Three days later, on July 15th 2025, Nina announced her retirement from the sport.

Nina Derwael, the Tokyo Olympic uneven bars gold medalist from Belgium, has retired from gymnastics, according to her national federation.

“I achieved what I wanted and was able to achieve,” Derwael, 25, said in a press release, according to a translation. “I was able to prove what I was capable of.”

This past May, Derwael won her third European title on bars and her first on the balance beam, her first major championship medals since undergoing major surgery for a shoulder dislocation in September 2023. …

Yahoo Sports

Qiu Qiyuan – 24 Olympic Bars Final

Qiu Qiyuan was the silver medalist behind Kaylia Nemour of Algeria.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

stretching the front of the ankle

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Of course there are some risks overdoing these kinds of drills.

Ortho resident physician here:

Although I love a gorgeous toe-extension line in artistic activities, this sort of technique, commonly used with gymnastis coaches can be quite destructive to the extensor tendons and stabilizing ligaments of the foot and ankle.

Often, relying on this method can easily lead to ankle and foot instability, premature osteoarthritis, and what is known colloquially as “turf toe” in athletes.

This method discussed by Ms. Mary-Lee Tracy relies on brute force, ergo passive plantar flexion as opposed to active plantar flexion (which athletes are using mid-maneuver).

I encourage techniques that involve active extension and strengthening, rather than brute force, to avoid unnecessary damage to athletes’ feet and ankles.

Kaylia Nemour training at Simone’s Gym

Dang Ngoc Xuan Thien – Pommels

Super clean.