An aspiring teenage gymnast has died at age 19 after a horrific accident training in Russia.
The Indonesian Gymnastics Federation anonounced the death of 19-year-old Naufal Takdir Al Bari after he had been in intensive care for 12 days.
He sustained a severe neck injury, according to reports in Russia, when he fell into a foam pit during a horizontal bar routine.
The athlete was training to compete in this year’s Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, which are being held in Indonesia.
An IGF statement said: ‘Athlete Naufal Takdir Al Bari has passed away to the mercy of Allah in Penza, Russia. The 19-year-old gymnast breathed his last after undergoing intensive care for 12 days at GA Zakharyin Hospital.
‘Naufal was one of the talented gymnasts and his passing was a blow to the world of sports, especially the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation.
‘He was prepared to compete in the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships 2025, the 2025 SEA Games Bangkok, and was projected to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.’
The statement added: ‘Indonesian Gymnastics has lost the nation’s best. This is a deep blow and sorrow for us. May the family be given strength.’
Vice President of the Russian Gymnastics Federation Vasily Titov, said Al Bari was hurt after performing a routine he had not been prepared to take on.
‘We conducted the necessary investigation, and all the circumstances surrounding the injury have been established. Unfortunately, the athlete was not prepared to perform such a complex element,’ he said.
‘We will certainly provide assistance, if necessary, in the shipment and repatriation of the body.’
