"VAN" (Sprots Desk 18.06.2025) :: Potential LA 2028 Olympians will challenge for eight titles at the 3rd FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior World Championships in Sofia (BUL) 18-22 June.
In the third incarnation of this junior event, first held in 2019, more than 350 of the world’s best up-and-coming Rhythmic gymnasts will be eager to display their skills. The results, based on gymnasts aged 14 to 15 in 2025, will provide insight into the sport’s development over the next few years.
For example, 2019 was notable for the emergence of future Italian star Sofia Raffaeli, who went on to become All-Around world champion in 2022 and bronze medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The junior world championships of 2023 introduced us to the rising star and 2024 Olympian, Taissia Onofriichuk (UKR) who has won several World Cup and European titles throughout this year.
"The FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior World Championships represent a golden opportunity for the next generation of gymnasts to showcase their talent on the international stage,” remarks FIG President Morinari Watanabe. “With over 350 participants from 71 national federations, Sofia is set to host a truly remarkable and inspiring competition.”
The competition consists of individual gymnasts and groups of five gymnasts. Qualifications for the individuals take place on the first two days, as they compete with four apparatus - Hoop, Ball, Clubs and Ribbon - in their quest to reach the top eight places in each event and thereby secure themselves a spot in the finals.
On 21 June, the group competition will begin, with 36 nations registered to compete. Each group will perform two routines, one with 5 Ribbons, the other with 5 pairs of Clubs. The combined total counts towards the Group All-Around title and the top eight in each apparatus will qualify to those respective finals. This day also reveals the winners of the Team title, awarded to the nation with the highest combined scores across all four individual and two group routines.
The championships conclude Sunday 22 June, where the four individual and two group apparatus titles will be contested.
"The Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation is extremely proud to be hosting the future of our beautiful sport," LOC President Iliana Raeva said. "Junior athletes from all over the world will for sure demonstrate class, skills, determination and will. I am certain that in the upcoming days Arena Sofia will turn into a celebration of beauty and I wish the best of luck to all gymnasts."
For a glimpse of the future, these championships represent a unique opportunity to discover who could be lighting up the Rhythmic carpet in years to come - a must-not-miss experience.
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