Artistic Gymnast Naufal Dies in Russia After Training Accident

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Indonesian artistic gymnast, Naufal Takdir Al Bari, passed away following an accident during training in Russia. Naufal was a talented gymnast projected to compete in various international events, including the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand and the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

Naufal is a talented young athlete and a good person. Indonesian gymnastics has lost one of the nation's finest. This is a profound blow and sorrow for us.

According to a statement from the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation, Naufal passed away in Penza, Russia, on Thursday (25/9/2025). The 19-year-old artistic gymnast breathed his last after undergoing intensive care for 12 days at G A Zakharyin Hospital.

Naufal, along with four male artistic gymnasts from Indonesia, accompanied by two coaches, has been undergoing training at The Palace of Sport Training Center Burtasy, Penza, Russia since September 1. However, during the training program, Naufal experienced an accident while practicing.

The accident occurred precisely during the landing maneuver. Naufal was then immediately rushed to the hospital. He is receiving intensive care in the ICU.

"Naufal is a talented young athlete and a good person. Indonesian gymnastics has lost one of the nation's finest. This is a profound blow and sorrow for us," said the Chairperson of the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation, Ita Yuliati, on Friday (26/9/2025).

"May the family be given strength and may Naufal find the best place in the sight of Allah SWT," he said again.

Ita continued, stating that her side is in the process of managing administrative documents so that the family can go to Russia to accompany Naufal. She is striving to ensure that all processes run smoothly.

"Currently, we are in communication with the family as well as the East Java Provincial Sports Committee, the Russian Gymnastics Federation, the Indonesian Embassy in Russia, and the Russian Embassy in Indonesia to ensure that the repatriation of the late Naufal's remains to the homeland can be carried out promptly," said Ita.

Ita added that Naufal is being prepared to compete in various international events. In addition to the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships 2025 in Jakarta, Naufal is also being prepared to participate in the 2025 SEA Games in Bangkok and is projected to qualify for the 2024 Los Angeles Olympics.

Naufal and four other gymnasts are undergoing a training camp program at The Palace of Sport Training Center Burtasy, one of the centers for artistic and rhythmic gymnastics in Russia. They are participating in the training camp with financial support from the National Sports Training Center of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.