The #TRA2026 SmartScoring Shooting Stars are … Thalissa Wijkstra (NED) and Lukas Kubik (CZE)

At the conclusion of the 2026 European Championships in Trampoline, Double Mini-Trampoline and Tumbling in Portimao (POR), Kamran Ramazanov, CEO of our global partner SmartScoring, presented the SmartScoring Shooting star award to the Netherlands’ Thalissa Wijkstra and Czechia’s Lukas Kubik.

Started in 2018, this award aims to put a gymnast with an exceptional story in the spotlight, someone who is an inspiration for the future generation of gymnasts and the general public alike.

At just seventeen years of age, Thalissa Wijkstra (NED) has already shown great talent and potential within trampoline gymnastics. Her achievement of winning the 2024 Junior European Championships, as the first person from the Netherlands to ever achieve this, stands as a proof to her ability. Now making her senior debut, Wijkstra enters a new phase of her career that involves substantial personal financial obligations related to participation in international competitions, which brings significant stress and uncertainty about whether she can manage these costs. Raised by a single mother, she has pursued her career while facing considerable financial and practical challenges. The costs associated with international competition, training, and travel place a pretty big burden on her family. In the Netherlands, trampoline gets barely any financial aid or funding. Despite these obstacles, Thalissa continues to compete at the highest level through the support of crowdfunding initiatives and the commitment of her family to make it work. In the meantime, Thalissa is absolutely committed to succeed in her sport, she is one of the hardest working athletes on the Dutch team. In that regard, she is also an excellent example for the Dutch trampoline community. Looking ahead, Thalissa is going to try to qualify for the Olympic Games through the 2027/2028 World Cup series.

Lukas Kubik (CZE) began his trampoline journey at the age of three. Although his father originally dreamed of him becoming a football player, Lukas chose his own path early on and never backed down. From the very beginning, his determination and passion for trampoline were undeniable. He has hardly missed a single training session, showing exceptional discipline and commitment throughout his career. Already in the junior category in the Czech Republic, he was outperforming even senior athletes, proving his extraordinary talent from a young age.  Despite facing serious setbacks — including breaking both arms and later undergoing ankle surgery — Lukas never gave up. Each challenge only made him stronger and more focused. His resilience and work ethic continue to drive him forward. At just 18 years old, Lukas is already capable of competing with the world’s elite. This is clearly demonstrated by his results at recent World Cup competitions, as well as the high level of difficulty in his routines. He looks up to the greatest legends of the sport as well as today’s top international athletes, drawing inspiration from the very best in the world.  Today, he performs at a level no Czech male trampolinist has ever reached before. Lukas is not only a remarkable athlete but also an inspiration, demonstrating what can be achieved through perseverance, passion, and unwavering belief in one’s own path.