Gymnastics Takes Center Stage: A Weekend to Remember
The weekend has come to a close, but the excitement from the world of gymnastics is still resonating. In a thrilling display of skill, strength, and artistry, top athletes from around the globe descended upon various competition venues, leaving a lasting impression on fans and pundits alike. From the high-flying acrobatics of the MAG Baku World Cup in Azerbaijan to the elegant routines of the WAG International Gymnix in Canada, this weekend was a true celebration of the sport.
Meanwhile, in Belgium, the Acro Puurs World Cup/FIAC brought together some of the world’s most skilled acrobatic gymnasts, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in this captivating discipline. And in the United States, the T&T Winter Classic provided a platform for talented young gymnasts to showcase their abilities and vie for top honors.
Weekend Recap: MAG Baku World Cup, Acro Puurs World Cup/FIAC, WAG International Gymnix, T&T Winter Classic
Americans claimed 14 medals in international competition while trampoline and tumbling athletes battled it out in Michigan over the weekend.
MAG Baku World Cup
In his first year on National Team and his international debut, Brandon Dang (San Jose, Calif./University of Illinois) clinched gold at the 2025 FIG Baku World Cup in Azerbaijan. Dang scored a 14.633 to win the pommel horse title Sunday, just ahead of U.S. teammate Patrick Hoopes (Lehi, Utah/U.S. Air Force Academy), who claimed silver with a 14.533. Zeinolla Idrissov of Kazakhstan was third with a 14.400.
On Saturday, Alex Diab (Glen Ellyn, Ill./EVO Gymnastics) secured still rings bronze with a 13.766 to give the U.S. a medal of each color in Baku. Nikita Simonov of host-country Azerbaijan won gold with a 14.233, followed by Zhiwei Meng of China who got silver with a 13.800.
Acro Puurs World Cup/FIAC
The U.S. acro delegation came home with five medals from the 2025 FIG Puurs World Cup and Flanders International Acro Cup (FIAC) in Belgium.
Winning gold at the World Cup were Yaroslav and Vsevolod Ossolodkov (Beaumont, Calif./Incentive – AGT) in the men’s pair final with a combined score of 29.100. The brothers claimed the title ahead of the Spanish pair of Juan Daniel Molina and Jose Moreno in second (28.230) and the Portuguese pair of Goncalo Parreira and Miguel Lopes in third (27.950).
The U.S. women’s pair of Maya Lissenkova (Las Vegas, Nev./AGC Las Vegas) and Katie Borcherding (Eureka, Mo./Incentive – AGT) earned combined silver in their final with a score of 27.370 ahead of Ines Faria and Beatriz Carneiro of Portugal in third (27.050). Maysae Bouhouch and Silke Macharis of Belgium were first with a 28.240.
Also competing in World Cup final was the women’s group of Olivia Green (Silver Spring, Md./Xtreme Acro), Rebecca Greenberg (North Potomac, Md./Xtreme Acro) and Caylei Caldwell (Villa Ridge, Mo./Xtreme Acro). The group landed just off the combined podium with a 27.590. The Portuguese group of Ema Fernandes, Alicia Santos and Leonor Carreira won with a 28.750.
In FIAC competition, seniors Hailee Wong (Colton, Calif./Realis Gymnastics Academy) and Andrew Castro (Riverside, Calif./Realis Gymnastics Academy) won gold with the mixed pair combined final with a 27.750, ahead of Ella-Louise Sem and Ben De Veirman (26.340), and Martha Vercauteren and Floriaan Van Linden (24.870), both of Belgium.
The USA’s second gold of the competition came from Radomir Ossolodkov (Beaumont, Calif./Incentive – AGT) and Neko Sullivan (Perris, Calif./Incentive – AGT) who won the 13-19 men’s pair division with a 26.700.
Closing out the U.S. medal count was the 13-19 women’s group of Juli Williams (Columbia, Md./Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer), Carmelle Djoumgoue (Jessup, Md./Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer) and Aubrie Cunningham (Ellicott City, Md./Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer). The trio scored a 27.180 to win combined bronze in their division. The Belgian group of Maité De Ridder, Louise Janssens and Fien Voet was first (27.640) and Zoë Venema, Mare Hogenhuis and Aiden Peens of the Netherland second (27.200).
WAG International Gymnix
American Junior Team Competes in Montreal
Charleigh Bullock (Spotsylvania, Va./Capital Gymnastics National Training Center), Kylie Smith (Loveland, Oh/, and teammates represented the US at the WAG International Gymnix in Montreal, Canada.
Analysis of the team’s performance and implications for the future will be a key focus in the coming weeks.
Trampoline and Tumbling: Winter Classic
US Athletes Compete in Michigan
American trampoline and tumbling athletes battled it out at the T&T Winter Classic competition in Michigan over the weekend.
Recap of the T&T Winter Classic competition, including notable performances and results from the event, will be featured in the coming days.
Conclusion
As the dust settles on a thrilling weekend of gymnastics, we reflect on the standout performances and moments that will be etched in the memories of fans and athletes alike. The MAG Baku World Cup, Acro Puurs World Cup/FIAC, WAG International Gymnix, and T&T Winter Classic all brought their unique brand of excitement and competition to the floor, showcasing the incredible skills and dedication of gymnasts from around the world.
From the precocious talents emerging in the junior ranks to the seasoned veterans pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, this weekend served as a potent reminder of the sport’s power to inspire and captivate. As we look ahead to the seasons to come, it’s clear that the future of gymnastics is bright, with a new generation of athletes poised to take center stage and write their own chapters in the annals of this storied sport.