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 that 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 the key factors that contribute to the success of the Future Cup in nurturing young gymnastics talent?
**Interview with Helmut Kranzlmüller, President of the Upper Austria Gymnastics Association**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us, Helmut. The Future Cup has a remarkable history in the world of gymnastics. Can you share what inspired you to create this competition back in 2004?
**Helmut Kranzlmüller**: Thank you for having me! The idea behind the Future Cup was to provide a platform for young gymnastics talent to showcase their skills on an international stage. We always envisioned it as a stepping stone for future Olympic champions. Over the years, it has truly become a small World Cup, attracting athletes from 21 nations this November.
**Interviewer**: That’s impressive. With the participation of champions like Shinnosuke Oka and Max Whitlock, how does that influence the young athletes competing at the event?
**Helmut Kranzlmüller**: Having Olympic champions attend significantly raises the stakes and excitement at the Future Cup. Young gymnasts get to compete against some of the best, which not only motivates them but also provides a unique learning experience. It inspires our local talents, like Vincent Lindpointner, who has been training rigorously and has set his sights on the 2028 Olympics.
**Interviewer**: Speaking of local talent, how does the Future Cup help nurture athletes like Vincent Lindpointner and Felix Neumüller?
**Helmut Kranzlmüller**: The Future Cup serves as an excellent platform for our young athletes. For many, it’s their chance to gain international competition experience, which is crucial for their development. Vincent has shown immense potential, winning a bronze medal at the Junior European Championships this year. Our goal is to support all our athletes in realizing their dreams, whether it’s on the Olympic stage or in international competitions.
**Interviewer**: With this being the 19th edition, what are you most looking forward to this year?
**Helmut Kranzlmüller**: I’m excited to see how our young athletes perform against such strong international competition. The atmosphere in TipsArena will be electric, and I’m particularly looking forward to witnessing the growth of our local talents. They have trained so hard and I believe they can deliver impressive performances.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Helmut, for sharing your insights. The Future Cup sounds like an incredible event for both young athletes and gymnastics fans alike!
**Helmut Kranzlmüller**: Thank you! We’re excited and hope everyone will come to support the future stars of gymnastics.
