CGA Preview: 2025 Junior World Championships

By Isaac Erickson

The third FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships are right around the corner, set to take place November 20–24 in Manila, Philippines, featuring a select few of each country’s next-generation international gymnasts. Among them are two of the most recent athletes to step into the NCAA space, both 18 years old and members of the class of 2029: Nathan Roman (University of Oklahoma, USA) and Ritam Malik (Penn State University, AUS).

Roman (OU), representing Team USA and serving as one of the team’s most experienced competitors in the international space, will begin his qualification meet on pommel horse in subdivision three and finish on floor exercise. This will mark his fifth international competition as a junior—a testament to his experience and competitive consistency on the elite stage. Roman, a poised and confident competitor, made his first appearance representing Oklahoma at the U.S. Championships, where he finished 15th with room to improve. Preparing at OU with eyes set on high difficulty and sharp execution, he enters Manila looking to contend for a spot in the all-around final, where only the top 24 advance.

Malik (PSU), returns to the Junior World stage after his first appearance in 2023, where Australia placed 18th in team competition. A seasoned competitor, he’s gained valuable experience through multiple international meets representing Australia and now looks to build on that foundation. Malik begins on high bar and ends on parallel bars in the same subdivision as Roman, alongside his Australian teammates. He expressed his motivation to elevate Australia’s finish: “A main goal for me in this competition is to see how our Australian team ranks among the best. My goal is to help get the team into the top 8.” His recent training video from Penn State shows clean execution and rising difficulty, underscoring his mission to help Australia climb the international ranks at this competition.

With both athletes entering as seasoned international juniors, Manila is set to deliver a showcase of world-class gymnastics and the newest wave of NCAA talent for the United States and Australia.