More than 400 artistic gymnasts from 84 nations will compete at the 54th World Championships in Rotterdam from October 20 to 25, with qualification places for the 2028 Olympic Games among the major prizes.
The competition carries added significance, as the top three nations in each team event will secure places at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The action will be broadcast live across the BBC.
China and Japan’s men’s teams are expected to lead the challenge, while Great Britain will look to build on their European title in August after producing a near-flawless performance.
The United States women’s team will aim to extend its dominance after winning every team final since 2011. Skye Blakely, competing at her fourth World Championships, will bring valuable experience to the squad, which also includes Olympic team gold medallist Hezly Rivera. The rest of the American team are making their senior World Championships debuts.
Russia’s gymnasts, competing under neutral status, arrive as European women’s team gold medallists. However, reigning world all-around champion Angelina Melnikova was among three Russian female gymnasts denied visas to compete in Rotterdam.
Great Britain’s women finished fourth at the most recent Olympic Games and European Championships. The team is led by multiple major medallist Alice Kinsella, who returns to the competition 13 months after becoming a mother.
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Japan’s reigning champion Daiki Hashimoto will seek a fourth consecutive men’s all-around world title, while Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour has the opportunity to become the first African winner of the women’s all-around event.
Brazilian star Rebeca Andrade will also return to a major global championship for the first time since winning four medals at the 2024 Olympic Games, including gold in the floor exercise.
With Olympic qualification places at stake and several leading gymnasts chasing individual honours, the championships promise a major test for the world’s best artistic gymnasts.
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