The finals of the 17th Artistic Gymnastics World Cup (Taishan) are taking place today at Aspire Academy in Doha, as the competition enters its decisive phase. The event, which began on April 16 and continues until tomorrow, has brought together some of the world’s best gymnasts for four days of elite-level action.
The preliminary rounds concluded last night after two intense days of qualifying across various apparatus, as athletes battled for a spot in the finals. With the tournament now at a critical stage, anticipation is building for high-level performances and dramatic finishes that will determine the champions of this year’s edition.
The championship has already delivered top-class performances and featured the rise of global talents.
On the men’s floor exercise, Kazakhstan’s Karim Miladi and Tamberk qualified alongside Britain’s Sam Mostafavi. In the pommel horse event, Jordan’s Ahmad Abu al-Soud secured his place in the finals, joined by Kazakhstan’s Karbanov and China’s Hong Yang Ming. On the still rings, Armenians Davtyan and Artur Avetisyan advanced alongside China’s Yu Hao.
In the women’s competition, legendary Uzbek gymnast Oksana Chusovitina reached the finals in the vault, alongside Hungary’s Greta Mayer, Slovenia’s Tjasa Kysselef, and fellow Hungarian Sára Péter. On the uneven bars, Australia’s Keira McDonald, Canada’s Audrey Rousseau, and Ukraine’s Denali Bork advanced to the final round.
There was also a notable Arab presence. Qatar’s Rakan al-Hareth impressed throughout, while Jordan’s Ahmad Abu al-Soud earned widespread praise after booking his spot in the pommel horse final.
Qatar’s Salma Nasser continued her steady rise with another solid performance in her second consecutive World Cup appearance, reflecting her growing confidence and the trust placed in her by the technical staff—a promising sign for the future of Qatari gymnastics.
Salma, speaking to media after her event, expressed her joy at participating in such a prestigious tournament and competing alongside the world’s best.
She described the event as a valuable learning opportunity, allowing her to gain experience and grow her skills. Salma emphasised her determination to improve and continue striving for excellence, adding that while the competition is tough, the knowledge and exposure it provides are equally rewarding.
Morinari Watanabe, President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), commended the event’s organisation, saying he was always happy to be in Qatar.
He noted that every edition of the World Cup in Doha brings something new and exciting, praising the Qatari Federation’s commitment to excellence.
Watanabe added that Qatar has firmly established itself as a key destination on the global gymnastics calendar, thanks to its exceptional infrastructure, experience, and talented organising teams.
He said the qualifying rounds had already featured high-level competition, setting the stage for even more thrilling action in the finals.
Qatar’s Salma Nasser in action during the second day of the 17th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Doha on Thursday.
An athlete in action during the second day of the 17th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Doha on Thursday.
