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.
What are Vincent Lindpointner’s main goals for his final year as a junior gymnast at the Future Cup?
**Interview with Vincent Lindpointner on the Upcoming Future Cup**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Vincent. It’s exciting to see young talent like you gearing up for the Future Cup. Can you share what this competition means to you?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** Thank you for having me! The Future Cup is really important for me because it brings together some of the best young gymnasts from around the world. Competing alongside them not only pushes me to improve but also gives me a taste of what international competitions are like. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our skills.
**Editor:** You mentioned that this will be your last year competing as a junior. How do you feel about this transition?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** It’s bittersweet, to be honest. On one hand, I’m excited to move up and compete at a senior level, but on the other hand, I’ll miss being a junior and the camaraderie we share. This year is special for me, and I want to make the most of it. My goal is to perform well, especially in the all-around where I have a lot of confidence.
**Editor:** You’ve already achieved significant success, including a bronze medal at the Junior European Championships. How do you plan to build on that as you look toward the Olympics in 2028 or 2032?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** Winning that bronze medal was a huge milestone for me and really fueled my ambition. To prepare for the Olympics, I’m training rigorously—nine times a week, around 28 hours in total! It’s a tough journey, but I’m committed to improving every day. I know competition for spots is fierce, so I will keep working hard and focus on my strengths while also addressing my weaknesses.
**Editor:** It sounds like you have a solid training regimen. What motivates you to put in so much effort?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** The dream of representing Austria at the Olympics drives me. I’ve always looked up to athletes like Shinnosuke Oka and Max Whitlock, who have achieved so much. Their success inspires me to keep pushing my limits. The thought of standing on that Olympic podium one day is incredibly motivating.
**Editor:** Lastly, what are you most looking forward to at the Future Cup this year?
**Vincent Lindpointner:** I’m really looking forward to competing with my teammates and seeing how I measure up against other young gymnasts. It’s about proving myself and gaining experience. I want to leave everything on the mat and make this final junior competition memorable.
**Editor:** We’re excited to see your performances at the Future Cup, Vincent. Best of luck in your training and competitions ahead!
**Vincent Lindpointner:** Thank you! I appreciate your support!