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.
How do your experiences in national competitions influence your performance on the international stage?
**Interview with Vincent Lindpointner, Austrian Gymnast**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Vincent. You’re gearing up for your final year as a junior at the Future Cup. How are you feeling about the upcoming competition?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** Thank you for having me! I’m really excited about it. The Future Cup has always been a significant event for me, and I feel prepared. Competing among the best young gymnasts from around the world is both inspiring and challenging.
**Editor:** You’ve had quite a journey so far, including winning gold with your team last year and a bronze medal at the Junior European Championships. How do those experiences shape your approach to the Future Cup?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** Each competition teaches me something new. Winning the team gold last year gave me confidence, while the bronze at the Europeans highlighted that I can compete with the best. I aim to leverage those experiences to perform even better this year, especially in the all-around event.
**Editor:** You train extensively—up to 28 hours a week. What drives your dedication to the sport, especially with an ambitious goal like competing in the Olympics?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** Gymnastics demands a lot, but I love what I do. The thrill of competition and the dream of representing Austria at the Olympics in 2028 or 2032 keeps me focused. It’s definitely a tough journey, but I believe it’s worth the effort.
**Editor:** Speaking of representing Austria, how does it feel to be part of a traditional and prestigious competition like the Future Cup, especially with so many talented athletes from various countries?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** Being part of the Future Cup is incredible. It’s a unique opportunity to see different styles and meet athletes from other nations. It feels like a mini World Cup, as the association boss Helmut Kranzlmüller mentioned. It’s a great platform to showcase our skills and learn from each other.
**Editor:** As you transition from junior to senior competitions in gymnastics, what are some key lessons you’ve learned that you think will help you moving forward?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** One important lesson is resilience—dealing with setbacks and keeping a positive mindset. Another is the value of teamwork. Even in individual sports like gymnastics, having the support of my teammates and coaches is crucial to my success.
**Editor:** Thank you, Vincent, for sharing your insights and experiences. We wish you the best of luck at the Future Cup and your future endeavors in gymnastics!
**Vincent Lindpointner:** Thank you very much! I appreciate the support.