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 you plan to balance your aspirations for the Olympics with your current training commitments?
**Interview with Vincent Lindpointner: Aspirations and Challenges Ahead of the Future Cup**
**Editor**: Thanks for joining us today, Vincent. You have been training rigorously as you prepare for your last Junior Future Cup. Can you share what this competition means to you?
**Vincent Lindpointner**: Thank you for having me! The Future Cup is really special to me. It’s where I’ve had some of my biggest successes, like winning gold with my team last year. Competing against gymnasts from 21 nations is both exciting and inspiring. It’s like a mini World Cup, as they say, and it pushes me to perform at my best.
**Editor**: You mentioned the inspiration you draw from competing with top athletes. Can you tell us what your training regimen looks like leading up to this event?
**Vincent Lindpointner**: I’m training nine times a week, totaling around 28 hours. It’s quite demanding, but I love it. My national coach, Michal Zoha, really helps me focus on improving my skills and preparing mentally for the competition. The dedication is intense, but I believe it’s worth it.
**Editor**: You’ve shown incredible promise, especially with your bronze medal performance at the Junior European Championships. What is your ultimate goal in gymnastics?
**Vincent Lindpointner**: My ultimate goal is the Olympics, ideally in 2028 or at the latest 2032. It’s a tough journey, and the competition is fierce, but I’m determined. I want to follow in the footsteps of great athletes like Shinnosuke Oka and Max Whitlock, who’ve paved the way for gymnasts like me.
**Editor**: What motivates you to keep pushing forward in such a competitive field?
**Vincent Lindpointner**: My passion for gymnastics drives me. The thrill of competing, the joy of perfecting my routines, and the camaraderie with other athletes keep me going. I also want to inspire younger gymnasts in Austria, showing them that with hard work, they can achieve their dreams.
**Editor**: That’s a great message, Vincent! what are your expectations for this year’s Future Cup?
**Vincent Lindpointner**: I’m aiming for a strong performance in the all-around event. Given this is my last year as a junior, I want to leave a lasting mark and hopefully bring home another medal for Austria. No matter what happens, I’m excited to compete and learn from the experience.
**Editor**: Best of luck, Vincent! We can’t wait to see how you perform at the Future Cup. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
**Vincent Lindpointner**: Thank you for having me!
