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 inspired Vincent Lindpointner to pursue gymnastics, and how has his journey influenced his approach to competitions like the Austrian Future Cup?
**Interview with Vincent Lindpointner: A Rising Star at the Austrian Future Cup**
*Interviewer*: Good afternoon, Vincent! As you prepare for the 19th Austrian Future Cup, how excited are you to compete with so many talented gymnasts from around the world?
*Vincent Lindpointner*: Good afternoon! I’m really excited. This will be my last Future Cup as a junior, and I have so many fond memories from previous competitions. It feels like an honor to compete at an event that has hosted incredible athletes like Shinnosuke Oka and Max Whitlock.
*Interviewer*: You’ve had a remarkable year, notably winning a bronze medal at the Junior European Championships on the rings. How has that experience shaped your preparation for the Future Cup?
*Vincent Lindpointner*: Winning that medal was a huge boost for my confidence. It showed me that I can compete at a high level and that my hard work is paying off. It has motivated me to train even harder and set my sights on doing well at the Future Cup this year.
*Interviewer*: You train extensively, up to 28 hours a week with national coach Michal Zoha. How do you manage your time between school and gymnastics?
*Vincent Lindpointner*: It’s definitely a challenge, but balancing school and gymnastics has taught me a lot about discipline and time management. I try to make the most of my schedule. When I’m not in class, I’m usually training. It’s all part of working towards my big goal of participating in the Olympics, either in 2028 or 2032.
*Interviewer*: Speaking of the Olympics, what are you focusing on to reach that goal?
*Vincent Lindpointner*: Right now, I’m focused on mastering my routines and perfecting my techniques, particularly in the all-around, which I will be competing in at the Future Cup. The competition will be tough, but I believe that my training and experience will help me perform well.
*Interviewer*: what does participating in this event mean to you, especially with so many international competitors?
*Vincent Lindpointner*: It means everything to me. Competing against elite gymnasts is both inspiring and challenging. I love the atmosphere at the Future Cup; it’s electric and full of energy. It pushes me to perform at my best, and I’m really looking forward to it.
*Interviewer*: Thank you, Vincent! Best of luck at the Future Cup, and we’ll be watching your journey closely.
*Vincent Lindpointner*: Thank you! I appreciate it!
