American gymnast Donnell Whittenburg has made historical past after a mesmerizing efficiency on the World Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia. Forbes reported that Whittenburg defeated Adam Asil of Turkey to develop into the primary American man to seize gold on the rings.
At 31 years previous, Whittenburg can also be the oldest U.S. man to win a gymnastics title on the World Championships. His breakthrough second comes after he earned a workforce bronze in 2014 and a vault bronze in 2015.
Donnell Whittenburg made historical past on the World Championships
Whittenburg seemed to be in shock after he captured gold on the World Championships: “It doesn’t really feel actual,” Whittenburg stated in an interview with Olympics.com. “It undoubtedly wasn’t on my radar, however when you get alternatives like this, you simply have to understand it for what it’s, and I couldn’t be extra comfortable.”
Regardless of being 31, Whittenburg stated he remained assured in what his physique can do, nevertheless it was the psychological side that was particularly key for his efficiency.
“I knew that my physique was nonetheless good to do gymnastics, however it began up right here,” Whittenburg stated in reference to sustaining a powerful mindset, in line with GymCastic. “How unhealthy do I nonetheless need to go for that dream? I knew that if my physique’s nonetheless good, why not preserve pushing for it?”
In September 2024, Whittenburg tore his Achilles tendon and even thought of retiring.
“I’m simply comfortable that I caught with it and didn’t quit on myself,” he stated, per GymCastic. “Most significantly, my pals, household, coaches and my complete assist system, I’m glad didn’t quit on me as properly. I’m simply comfortable that we’re all nonetheless collectively and we’re nonetheless pushing for it as a result of we nonetheless received some work to do.”
Whittenburg, who has by no means made it to the Olympics as a competing athlete, was solely named as an alternate in 2016 and 2024. If he competes on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Whittenburg could be the oldest American gymnast on the video games since 1952, in line with NBC Sports activities.
Donnell Whittenburg captured gold on the World Championships
Whittenburg sealed the gold medal with a rating of 14.700 factors on the rings. His routine included the triple somersault often known as the “Whittenburg” dismount, named after himself grew to become he was the primary gymnast to land the transfer on a global stage in 2017.
Whittenburg defeated Asil, the 2022 world champion, to win the gold. The sector additionally included China’s 2021 World champion Lan Xingyu, in addition to three-time world champion Eleftherios Petrounias from Greece.
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