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 global 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 are Vincent Lindpointner’s main strategies for balancing training and education as he prepares for the Future Cup?
**Interview with Vincent Lindpointner, Aspiring Olympic Gymnast**
**Editor:** Welcome, Vincent! It’s great to have you here. You’ve been training intensively in preparation for the Future Cup, which is just around the corner. Can you share what this competition means to you?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** Thank you for having me! The Future Cup is really special for me. It’s my last year as a junior, and there’s a lot of excitement. Competing alongside young talents from 21 nations feels like a mini World Cup. It’s a chance to showcase my skills and measure myself against the best.
**Editor:** You mentioned your training regime—28 hours a week, nine times. How do you manage such a demanding schedule alongside your education?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** It’s definitely a balancing act! My studies come first, but I make it work by staying disciplined. I study during breaks at the training center and prioritize my time efficiently. The support from my coaches and family really helps, too.
**Editor:** You have expressed ambitions of competing in the Olympics by 2028 or 2032. What steps do you think you need to take in order to reach that goal?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** It’s all about consistent progress, improving my technique, and gaining more competition experience. I also need to stay mentally strong and focused—gymnastics is as much a mental sport as it is physical. Competing in events like the Future Cup is crucial for my development.
**Editor:** You’ve had some impressive accomplishments already, including a bronze medal at the Junior European Championships. How do those experiences shape your expectations for the Future Cup?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** Winning that bronze was a huge motivator for me, proving that my hard work is paying off. It sets a benchmark for me. For the Future Cup, I’m aiming high, especially in the all-around. Reflecting on my past performances gives me confidence, but I also know that every competition presents new challenges.
**Editor:** What do you make of this year’s Future Cup and the other gymnasts you’ll be competing against?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** I’m really looking forward to it! It’s great to see peers like Felix Neumüller making their debut, and I admire the talents of returning athletes like Shinnosuke Oka and Max Whitlock. It’s a top-tier competition, and every gymnast here has something to teach me.
**Editor:** As you aim for Olympic dreams, do you have any advice for young gymnasts who look up to you?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** Always believe in yourself and your goals. Stay committed, work hard, and don’t be afraid to learn from every experience—good or bad. The journey is long, and the important thing is to enjoy the process.
**Editor:** Wise words, Vincent! We wish you the best of luck at the Future Cup and in your future competitions. Thank you for your time!
**Vincent Lindpointner:** Thank you! I appreciate it!
