Russia Investigates Alleged Crime in Gymnast Naufal's Death

PENZA, SATURDAY — The Russian Investigative Committee and the Penza Regional Prosecutor's Office are investigating allegations of criminal acts related to the accident during training experienced by Indonesian artistic gymnast, Naufal Takdir Al Bari, which resulted in loss of life. The technical condition of the equipment and the quality of services at the training center have come under scrutiny.

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.

A few days ago, he suffered a severe neck injury while training on the bars. He fell into a pit filled with foam.

Since September 1, 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. The Indonesian Gymnastics Federation stated that during training, Naufal experienced an accident while landing.

The Director of The Palace of Sport Training Center, Burtasy, Oleg Minkarsky, confirmed the news of the accident. Minkarsky detailed that the accident occurred while Naufal was training on the horizontal bar apparatus.

"A few days ago, he suffered a serious neck injury while training on the bars. He fell into a pit filled with foam," Oleg Minkarsky told Russian media outlet Lenta.

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 6 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 Part 2 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. Paragraph "c" emphasizes the provision of services that do not meet safety requirements, resulting in serious harm to a person's health or death due to negligence.

The Penza regional prosecutor's office has taken over the investigation. Investigators are reported 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.

Moreover, a small calculation error can determine victory or disaster in gymnastics. As the level of difficulty increases, the risk of serious injury or accidents that threaten safety also rises.

Although deaths in gymnastics are quite rare, it has happened before. In 2019, a young gymnast from Southern Connecticut State University in the United States died after suffering a serious spinal injury during a training accident.

CNN International reported that Melanie Coleman fell during a routine training session on the uneven bars. Coleman died two days later. Coleman's personal trainer, Thomas Alberti, called the incident a complete accident. "This is not something anyone should accept," he said.

According to a report from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 2022, approximately 100,000 gymnasts sustain injuries each year. Common injuries include wrist fractures, cartilage damage, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.

In Indonesia, the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation is currently focused on managing the repatriation of Naufal's remains. The Chairperson of the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation, Ita Yuliati, stated that they are in the process of handling administrative documents so that the family can travel 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.

On Friday (26/9/2025), the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation held a joint prayer at the Indonesia Arena Stadium in Jakarta, where Naufal was supposed to compete next month in the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championship. In addition to the World Championship, Naufal is being prepared to participate in other international events this year, namely the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.

Ita added that Naufal is also projected to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. To that end, Naufal and his teammates are undergoing a training camp program at The Palace of Sport Training Center Burtasy, one of the largest artistic and rhythmic gymnastics centers in Russia.

Other male gymnasts are currently in Hungary to participate in the 2025 World Challenge Cup series in Szombathely. This event, held from September 26 to 28, 2025, is the final series of the year. Several gymnasts are using this competition as a warm-up for the World Championships in Jakarta.