World Artistic Gymnastics Championships: Indonesia's Face at Stake

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — In less than a month, the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championship will be held in Indonesia for the first time. This rare opportunity not only serves as a platform for local gymnasts to showcase their talents but also as a moment to prove that Indonesia is still worthy of hosting a world-class sporting event.

The championship, which involves 80 countries, will take place at the Indonesia Arena Stadium in Jakarta from October 19 to 25. This event marks a new history as Indonesia hosts it for the first time. Indonesia is also the first Southeast Asian country to hold this championship.

The Chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, Raja Sapta Oktohari, during a visit to the Kompas Tower on Monday (29/9/2025), stated that the event represents a gamble on the image of Indonesian sports. If the organization is successful, Indonesia will regain trust for the future.

"Our opportunity lies in the World Gymnastics Championship to once again prove to the world that we are Indonesia, we are a great nation. Hopefully, by successfully hosting this event together, there will be even more world championships in Indonesia in the future," said Okto.

Indonesia has indeed proven capable of hosting international sporting events at the highest level over the past decade. From multi-sport events such as the 2018 Asian Games to single events like the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, these events have been successfully held.

On the other hand, Indonesia is beginning to be doubted due to its failure to host the U-20 World Cup 2023 and the World Beach Games 2023. As a country that dreams of becoming the host of the Olympics and the Football World Cup, the cancellation of these two events is a significant setback.

Sports should not be disrupted by non-sporting interests because we know that the spirit of sports in achieving accomplishments requires a process, not an instant result.

"So we truly felt the disappointment when the 2032 Olympics bid was awarded to Brisbane. After that, when we were entrusted with the U-20 World Cup and the World Beach Games, it turned out they couldn't be held due to non-technical reasons," Okto explained.

The Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) already has a blueprint to accelerate sports in the country. The main objective at present is to aim for the position of host for the 2036 Olympics. However, before that, they will first seek a stepping stone by proposing to host the 2030 Olympic Youth Games.

If the World Gymnastics Championship proceeds smoothly, the chances of securing the hosting rights for the Olympic Youth Games will certainly increase. "However, to achieve that, support from all elements of society is needed because sports have always been a unifying tool," said Okto.

"Sports should not be disrupted by non-sporting interests because we know that the spirit of sports in achieving achievements requires a process, it does not happen instantly. In other places, it may be possible to achieve results immediately," continued the former chairman of the organizing committee for the 2018 Asian Para Games.

Indonesia cannot afford to be complacent, as other countries are already very serious about competing for the status of host for sporting events. This year, Singapore has successfully hosted the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, while Rwanda is set to host the 2025 World Cycling Championships.

For the gymnastics world in the homeland, this annual event is also very important to continue the positive momentum. As is known, Indonesia has just made history by sending a representative for the first time to the Paris 2024 Olympics, namely Rifda Irfanaluthfi.

Unfortunately, Rifda has to retire after returning from the Olympics due to injury issues and age factors. The World Championship also presents an opportunity for other Indonesian gymnasts to follow in Rifda's footsteps. This event can also help make gymnastics more recognized by the public, thereby motivating the emergence of new gymnasts.

Good news came from the Pharaoh Cup 2025 in Cairo, Egypt, last week. Female gymnast Alarice Mallica won a gold medal in the floor exercise. Alarice is one of the gymnasts who will compete in the world championship. "Indeed, at this moment, the women's sector is struggling and is just beginning to rise again," said the coach of the Indonesian women's gymnastics team, Eva Novalina Butar Butar.

On the other hand, the upcoming world championship will also be the best opportunity to continue the spirit of the late national male gymnast Naufal Takdir Al Bari. Just a few weeks before competing in that major event, Naufal passed away due to a training accident in Russia.

"Do not waste Naufal's departure, but together with the spirit that Naufal demonstrated, we will revive sports achievements, especially in gymnastics, on the world stage starting from the World Gymnastics Championship in Indonesia later," explained Okto.