Highlights of #ACRO2025 European Championships

After a hugely successful 13^th edition of the European Age Group Competitions, the spotlights went onto the junior and senior ACRO gymnastics competing in the 32^nd European Championships.  Same place, same discipline, different insanely talent gymnasts!

Here are our highlights …

 

The stars aligned

A hugely exciting balance final saw history written for Spain as Jose Moreno and Juan Daniel Molina performed a fabulous routine for men’s pairs victory. Dedicating their victory to their families and trainers, with a very special mention of Pablo Hinojar who passed away in October 2024, the Spanish men were delighted to win, a moment that was a long time coming.

Welcome to the spotlight

In a nail-biting balance final, the newcomers on the senior level Ayden Dupont, Lars Maes, Kobe Multael and Tibe Tossens (BEL) upstaged their seasoned competitors for a maiden senior European title.

Ready, set, go

Defending European Champions -and reigning World Champions- Aghasif Rahimov and Raziya Seyidli clinched the first senior gold medal of these Europeans. The Azerbaijani duo excelled, showing off an incredible dynamic routine and outscoring their nearest rivals by over a point.

Adding to that collection

More World Champion material on display as Silke Macharis and Maysae Bouhouch secured the first European title. Forced to withdraw last-minute at the previous edition in Varna (BUL) in 2023, the Belgian women’s pair scored 28.520 to win the balance final and add European gold to their already impressive resume.

Girl power

In first place going into the junior women’s pairs all-around final, Abi Read and Evie Jaggers made no doubt about it, they were the ones to beat. And no one even came close! The British duo had almost half a point advantage over nearest rivals. In the dynamic final, a score of 28.010 easily secured their second title.  Joining the British celebrations, 2023 Pre Youth European Age Group Champions Gemma Biddle, Alexis Biddle and Sophie Noyce clinched the junior all-around and dynamic titles.  

Israeli domination

Topping the medal table with no less than 23 medals, including 11 European titles, ACRO powerhouse Israel once again showed its worth. A world class team put on a genuine display for the audience in Luxembourg. Highlighted on the senior level by the all-around titles won by mixed pair Amy Refaeli and Yonatan Fridman and the men’s group featuring Or Abraham, Lior Borodin, Rotem Amihai and Tomer Offir who also claimed gold for a truly spectacular dynamic routine, the Israeli delegation showed that the up-and-coming generation is equally strong, claiming no less than 8 junior titles. Impressive!

Portuguese prowess

Their confidence boosted after clinching the junior all-around victory, Tomas Martinho, Jorge Silva, Gabriel Vilela and Joao Samico displayed a fun, energetic and crowd-pleasing dynamic routine for their second gold medal in as many days for Portugal. The expressiveness and spectacular skills during the routine where accompanied by cheers of pure delight when the guys saw their final score. Another golden moment came as Miguel Lopes and Goncalo Parreira held their own in the men’s pairs dynamic, earning the title with a score of 27.890. And under loud applause of the enthusiastic crowd, Alicia Santos, Leonor Carreira and Ema Fernandes earned the only hattrick of the senior field!

Proudly Ukrainian

The Ukrainian delegation returned home with a grand total of 13 medals, three of which were golden. Their senior mixed pair Ivan Labunets and Yevfrosyniia Kryvytska displayed by far the most difficult balance routine, earning 28.950 and the European title for an elegant and passionate performance. The Ukrainian anthem was heard twice for senior women’s pair Anhelina Cherniavska and Ruzanna Vecheruk. First, the fabulous duo topped the all-around standings. Then, they performed a fabulous -and difficult- dynamic routine for yet another European crown.

The Shooting Star awards goes to …

At just 18 years old, Norina Froehlich (SUI) already made waves on the world stage. Last year, she made history as the first athlete from Switzerland to reach a final at the Acro World Championships. A rocky path led her there: in 2021 Norina had to leave the cantonal training center due to the travel time and lack of compatibility with school and work. She actually left acrobatics completely. In 2022, by chance, a cantonal programme for acrobatic gymnastics was created in her hometown St. Gallen and Norina was invited to join. In 2023, she was set to compete at the European Championships, but a last-minute injury to her partner meant she had to sit out. Instead of letting the setback define her, she used it as fuel to come back stronger. For the past three years, Norina has balanced an elite training schedule with a demanding apprenticeship—juggling work, study, and high-performance sport with unshakable commitment and drive. Since August she is officially working as a dental practice assistant, managing a 35 hours workweek plus 25 hours of training. A story of resilience, grit, and passion, Norina is a true role model for young athletes, a symbol of what dedication and heart can achieve.

For Aghasif Rahimov (AZE) it all started at the European Age Group Competitions in Germany back in 2015, where he competed alongside Nurjan Jabbarli in the Mixed Pair category, earning a bronze medal. Since then Rahimov participated in each edition of the European Age Group Competitions / Europeans, except in 2019 when he was doing his military service. Making a strong comeback in 2021 with a new partner, Raziya Seyidli, the pair has gone from strength to strength, culminating in triple victory at the previous Europeans in Varna (BUL), a remarkable feat. Now competing in his fifth and final European Championships, he is set to conclude his athletic career after the upcoming World Games. A true team player, Rahimov is an inspiration in the Azerbaijani acro community. He provides tremendous support to his teammates, celebrating their victories, offering advice and a helping hand when needed. In fact, he’s back training with good friends Seymur Jafarov and Abdulla Al-Mashaykhi since their comeback to form part of Azerbaijan’s first men’s group. And not just in acro Rahimov is an encouraging figure: alongside his busy training and competition schedule, he’s committed to coaching a great variety of skills to kids in Gymnastics for All.

Wauw, wauw, wauw! Words fail to describe the incredible skills performed out on the floor in Luxembourg! The focus and determination of our continent’s Acrobatic gymnasts is truly inspirational. Thank you gymnasts, thank you judges, and thank you to the Luxembourg Gymnastics Federation. You all made these Europeans unforgettable.