Shinnosuke Oka, this year’s Olympic champion with Japan’s team and on the parallel bars, has already been here in the past, as has the Briton Max Whitlock, who also has two gold medals at home. For 20 years now, many of the world’s best young gymnasts have come together to compete at the Future Cup in the TipsArena in Linz. “It’s like a small World Cup,” says Upper Austria’s association boss Helmut Kranzlmüller, not without pride. It was he who came up with the idea for it in 2004, on the 22nd/23rd. The competition, which has grown over the years, will enter its 19th edition in November, with talent from 21 nations expected this time. But the local hopefuls don’t need to hide either.
A few kilometers further down at the winter harbor near the Danube, the gymnasts have had their base camp for several years. And when Vincent Lindpointner doesn’t have something to learn during his high school year, he spends his time here in the performance center under the supervision of national coach Michal Zoha. Much time. Nine times a week, up to 28 hours, to be exact, as the 18-year-old from Leonding explains. And he approaches it every day with great ambition. “My big goal is the Olympics in 2028 or 2032 at the latest,” he says. A thoroughly ambitious and difficult undertaking in an absolutely world sport in which there are many contenders for only a few qualifying places. But the determined Lindpointner has enormous potential, as the Junior European Championships bronze medal on the rings he won this year underlines. Only one Austrian in history had achieved this before him. And at the Future Cup – this year is his last as a junior – Lindpointner has often had a big appearance in the past, won gold with the team in 2022 and is expecting a lot again this year in the supreme discipline of the all-around.
Felix Neumüller is four years younger than him and the Mühlviertler also wants to go far in gymnastics. The anticipation for his first Future Cup is great. “It’s just a cool competition because so many top people come here,” says the young talent.
What preparations has Vincent Lindpointner undertaken to excel in his final junior Future Cup competition?
**Interview with Vincent Lindpointner, Aspiring Gymnast and Future Cup Competitor**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Vincent! You’ve been training hard and are gearing up for your last junior Future Cup. What does this competition mean to you?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** Thanks for having me! The Future Cup is really special for me; it’s a chance to compete with some of the best young gymnasts in the world. It feels like a mini World Cup, and being a part of it is exhilarating. I’ve had great experiences here in the past, and I’m looking forward to showing what I can do this time around.
**Interviewer:** You’ve already accomplished a lot, including winning a bronze medal at the Junior European Championships this year. How do you maintain your motivation and ambition in such a competitive sport?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** It can be tough, but I love gymnastics, so it drives me. My coaches, especially Michal Zoha, have been incredibly supportive. I train nine times a week, up to 28 hours, so I really dedicate myself to improving every day. My ultimate goal is to compete in the Olympics, whether in 2028 or 2032. I believe that hard work will pay off if I keep pushing myself.
**Interviewer:** That’s an ambitious goal! How do you feel about competing alongside established athletes like Shinnosuke Oka and Max Whitlock at the Future Cup?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** It’s inspiring! These champions have set incredible benchmarks for us younger athletes. Competing alongside them, even at a junior level, motivates me even more. I want to learn from them and ultimately reach their level.
**Interviewer:** You’ve had a lot of success in the past, including winning gold with your team in 2022. What are your expectations this year in the all-around?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** I’m definitely aiming to compete at my best. I want to bring home another medal for Austria and make my last junior Future Cup memorable. I know I’m up against tough competition, but I’ve trained hard, and I believe I can achieve great things.
**Interviewer:** Best of luck, Vincent! We’re all excited to see you perform at the Future Cup and beyond.
**Vincent Lindpointner:** Thank you so much! I appreciate the support!
