Ana Bărbosu Shines with Gold on Floor at 2025 European Gymnastics Championships

Ana Bărbosu, Romania’s rising gymnastics star, captured the gold medal in the floor exercise at the 2025 European Gymnastics Championships in Leipzig, marking a historic moment for Romanian gymnastics. Her winning score of 13.833 was achieved through a dynamic routine featuring a whip to full-in, a two-and-a-half twist to front full, and a double tuck, showcasing both technical skill and artistic flair. This victory is Romania’s first European title on floor since 2020, signalling a strong resurgence of Romanian gymnastics on the continental stage.

Bărbosu’s performance was a highlight of the championships, coming after a demanding competition schedule. Earlier in the event, she also earned a bronze medal in the all-around competition, ending Romania’s 12-year absence from the podium in this category. Despite a setback on the balance beam, where she scored 11.633, Bărbosu’s resilience shone through with a superb floor routine that earned her 13.700 points and secured her place among the medalists.

Previous Career Highlights and Growth

Ana Bărbosu’s journey to European gold has been marked by steady progress and notable achievements. She transitioned to senior competition in 2022, making an immediate impact by winning gold on floor and bronze on balance beam at the Osijek World Challenge Cup. At the 2022 European Championships, she placed seventh in the all-around and narrowly missed the podium on floor, finishing fourth.

In 2023, Bărbosu continued to demonstrate her growing prowess by helping Romania secure a fifth-place team finish at the European Championships and winning multiple medals at the RomGym Trophy and Romanian National Championships. Her participation at the 2023 World Championships helped Romania qualify a team for the 2024 Olympic Games for the first time since 2012.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Bărbosu delivered a strong performance, qualifying for the all-around and floor exercise finals. She was initially placed fourth in the floor final but was later awarded the bronze medal after a successful appeal regarding a scoring dispute. This Olympic bronze marked a significant milestone in her career, highlighting her determination and integrity amid challenging circumstances.

Looking Ahead

Ana Bărbosu’s commitment to excellence continues as she prepares to join Stanford University’s gymnastics program in the fall of 2025, where she aims to develop her skills further and compete at the collegiate level in the United States.

Her gold medal at the 2025 European Championships not only celebrates her talent but also symbolises the revival of Romanian gymnastics on the European stage. As she continues to build on her impressive track record, Bărbosu remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for young gymnasts in Romania and beyond.