Gymnast Naufal's Body Arrives in Indonesia, Buried in Gresik

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — A week after taking his last breath in Russia, the body of Indonesian artistic gymnast Naufal Takdir Al Bari finally arrived in the homeland on Thursday (2/10/2025) evening. Naufal passed away just before his performance at the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta.

Upon arrival at the airport, Naufal's remains were immediately picked up by the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation and taken to the Human Remains Transit Lounge for the funeral prayer process. Following that, there was a handover process of Naufal's remains from the government to the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation.

The body of Naufal was then handed over to the family and will be flown back to his hometown in Gresik, East Java, on Friday (3/10/2025) morning. According to a statement from the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation, Naufal passed away in Penza, Russia, a week ago on Thursday (25/9/2025).

And I testify that the late Naufal was a good child, very obedient and respectful to his parents. And God willing, the deceased passed away in a state of husnul khotimah.

The 19-year-old artistic gymnast breathed her last after undergoing intensive care for 12 days at G A Zakharyin Hospital. The Indonesian Gymnastics Federation stated that Naufal had to receive treatment after experiencing an accident during a landing maneuver in training at The Palace of Sport Training Center Burtasy, Penza, Russia.

"And I testify that the late Naufal was a good child, very obedient and respectful to his parents. And God willing, the deceased passed away in a state of husnul khotimah," said the Chairperson of the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation, Ita Yuliati, in an official statement.

The Chairman of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Central, Marciano Norman, who was also present at the airport, stated that Naufal was a sports patriot who fell while fighting for the nation and the country. "I hope the struggle of the late can motivate the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation to continue to produce outstanding Indonesian gymnastics athletes," he said.

Since September 1, Naufal, along with four other Indonesian gymnasts, namely Abiyu Raffi, Muhammad Aprizal, Agung Suci Tanto, and Satria Tri Wira Yudha, has been undergoing training at The Palace of Sport Training Center Burtasy. This location is one of the largest centers for artistic and rhythmic gymnastics in Russia.

They are undergoing a training camp in Russia in preparation for various international events. The nearest agenda is the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championship in Jakarta from October 19 to 25 and the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand from December 9 to 20.

After undergoing a training camp, Naufal and his teammates are scheduled to compete in the FIG World Challenge Cup 2025 in Szombathely, Hungary, from September 26 to 28. This event, which serves as the final series of the year, is being utilized by several gymnasts, including the Indonesian team, as a warm-up for the World Championship in Jakarta.

Only after that did Naufal and his friends return to Indonesia to compete in the World Championship. Ironically, Naufal truly returned to Indonesia after training in Russia, but not to participate in the World Championship, one of the important events for him. Instead, Naufal returned to be buried in his hometown.

The other four gymnasts are forced to continue participating in the FIG World Challenge Cup 2025 even without Naufal. According to Satria, this is not an easy matter for them.

"We have faced many difficulties in Hungary since day one. Upon hearing the news that Naufal's condition had deteriorated, we immediately had to train, then compete, and the next day we heard that Naufal was no longer with us. It feels very chaotic, but we must remain focused," said Satria.

They also feel a deep sorrow due to Naufal's passing. Since Naufal was hospitalized, Satria stated, the team felt incomplete. Nevertheless, they are determined to continue the struggle in the World Championship for Naufal.

Meanwhile, the Russian Investigative Committee and the Penza Regional Prosecutor's Office are investigating allegations of criminal acts related to the accident during the training that led to Naufal's loss of life. The technical condition of the equipment and the quality of services at The Palace of Sport Training Center Burtasy, where Naufal and four other Indonesian gymnasts were training, have come under scrutiny.

Oleg Minkarsky, director of the Palace of Sport Training Center Burtasy, told Russian media outlet Lenta that Naufal suffered a severe neck injury after falling into a foam-filled pit while practicing on the single bar.

In artistic gymnastics, an athlete typically performs a series of short movements that vary from 30 to 90 seconds for each apparatus. In the men's division, there are six apparatus used by gymnasts: the floor, vault, still rings, pommel horse, parallel bars, and horizontal bar.

Every movement on these apparatuses is generally characterized by a landing movement as the conclusion of a routine sequence. On the horizontal bar, the landing movement is executed when the gymnast swings their body, releases their grip from the bar, and lands on the floor with both feet. Gymnasts typically bend their knees to absorb the impact.

Penza's local media outlet, Penza Bezformata, reported that Naufal failed to land perfectly during a single-bar maneuver on September 13, 2025. Although he was immediately rushed to the hospital and treated intensively, Naufal's life could not be saved.

The Russian Investigative Committee in the Penza region is investigating alleged criminal acts based on the offenses regulated in paragraph C of Section 2 of Article 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation concerning the Production, Storage, Transportation, or Sale of Goods and Products, the Execution of Work, or the Provision of Services that Do Not Meet Safety Standards. This paragraph emphasizes the provision of services that do not meet safety requirements, resulting in serious harm to an individual's health or death due to negligence.

The Penza regional prosecutor's office has taken over the investigation. Investigators are said to be taking the necessary steps to uncover all the causes of the tragedy. Special attention is being given to the technical condition of the sports equipment and the quality of services provided for the training of athletes.

In gymnastics, the condition of the equipment must be a concern as it relates to safety aspects. The equipment must be ensured to function optimally, be adequate, and meet standards to maintain stability during training and prevent athlete injuries.