Quick Read
- Ten world champions crowned over two days in Jakarta across men’s and women’s events.
- Hamlet Manukyan (Armenia) impressed on pommel horse despite a late mistake.
- Angelina Melnikova (AIN) won women’s vault; Joscelyn Roberson (USA) claimed bronze after overcoming equipment struggles.
- Jake Jarman (GBR) and Luke Whitehouse (GBR) took gold and silver in men’s floor exercise, Carlos Yulo (PHI) won bronze.
- Finals streamed live worldwide, with broad coverage from Peacock, Eurovision Sport, and BBC.
Jakarta Takes Center Stage: World Gymnastics Championships Reach Their Climax
For two days in late October, Jakarta’s Indonesia Arena became the heartbeat of global gymnastics. The 2025 World Gymnastics Championships brought together the sport’s finest, each seeking not just medals, but moments of triumph amid relentless pressure and dazzling competition. Over the span of October 24 and 25, ten new world champions were crowned across men’s and women’s events, as the world watched routines unfold that were as much about grit as they were about artistry.
Finals Spotlight: Who Rose, Who Fell
The format was simple, but unforgiving: the top eight athletes on each apparatus advanced to the finals. Every slip, every flourish, every precise landing could mean the difference between gold and heartbreak.
Men’s Pommel Horse: Armenia’s Hamlet Manukyan Stuns
All eyes were on Hamlet Manukyan, the reigning European champion from Armenia. At just 18, his speed and control on the pommel horse drew murmurs of admiration from the crowd. Despite a break in form during his dismount, Manukyan’s composure saw him finish strong—scoring 14.433 and setting the tone for the day. His youthful intensity was a reminder that gymnastics is as much about resilience as technical mastery.
Women’s Vault: Melnikova Claims Gold, Fontaine and Roberson Shine
The women’s vault final was a study in nerve and improvisation. Angelina Melnikova (AIN) delivered a clean double-twisting Yurchenko and a challenging Cheng, earning an average of 14.466 after bonus points. Lia-Monica Fontaine (Canada) impressed with a double-twisting Yurchenko and a half-on, half-off vault, landing her in silver position. Joscelyn Roberson (USA), who had battled equipment issues all week, stunned the crowd by securing bronze with a Lopez and a double-twisting Yurchenko—both vaults executed with commendable adaptation under pressure.
Meanwhile, heartbreak struck for Deng Yalan (China), who balked on her first vault and was unable to continue. The crowd’s empathy was palpable, a testament to the emotional rollercoaster that high-stakes sport can be.
Men’s Floor Exercise: British Domination, Yulo’s Brilliance
Britain’s Jake Jarman and Luke Whitehouse delivered performances that set the standard, going 1-2 in the men’s floor exercise. Jarman’s routine—packed with difficulty and executed with precision—earned him 14.866, just edging out Whitehouse’s 14.666. Carlos Yulo (Philippines), known for his dynamic tumbling, claimed bronze with a score of 14.533.
Other notable performances included Milad Karimi (Kazakhstan), who stuck nearly every pass but couldn’t match the leaders’ difficulty, and Tikumporn Surintornta (Thailand), whose coldly stuck opening passes marked a breakthrough moment for Thai gymnastics. Kazuki Minami (Japan), a perennial contender, stumbled on a key pass and missed out on a medal—a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change.
Additional Finals: Uneven Bars, Rings, Parallel Bars, and More
While detailed scores and medalists were still being compiled for events like women’s uneven bars and men’s rings, early indications suggested fierce competition and a diverse spread of medals. The British team continued to impress, with Alexander Yolshin-Cash and Harry Hepworth making finals appearances. The apparatus finals were streamed live via Peacock in the U.S. and Eurovision Sport in Europe, with additional coverage on BBC iPlayer, ensuring fans worldwide could follow every leap, spin, and stick.
More Than Medals: Award Ceremonies and Global Spirit
Between vaults and pommel horse, a pause for ceremony: the Fujitsu Infinity Award honored the U.S. women’s and Japanese men’s teams for their exceptional spirit and technical precision. The event’s international flavor was underscored during the anthem for AIN athletes, which—curiously—featured music from Russian composer Tchaikovsky. These moments reminded everyone that the World Championships are not just a contest, but a celebration of the sport’s shared values.
How to Watch and What’s Next
With live scores, schedules, and results available on platforms like Gymnastics Now and BBC, fans could track every twist and turn. The finals showcased not only athletic excellence, but also resilience—whether it was an athlete sticking a challenging vault after a week of uncertainty, or a gymnast regrouping after a devastating error.
Looking Forward: The Legacy of Jakarta 2025
As the dust settles in Indonesia Arena, the 2025 World Gymnastics Championships will be remembered for its drama, its breakthroughs, and its moments of vulnerability. For the medalists, their names are now etched in the sport’s history. For those who fell short, the agony of near-misses will fuel future comebacks. And for fans, the event offered a window into the unpredictable, exhilarating world of elite gymnastics.
Jakarta 2025 was a championship where youth, experience, and the relentless pursuit of perfection collided. The medal table may capture the winners, but the true legacy lies in the courage shown by all competitors—their setbacks, their recoveries, and their unwavering commitment to the craft. As the world looks ahead to future championships, the lessons and stories from Jakarta will echo far beyond the scoresheets.
