A 19-year-old Indonesian gymnast has died following a gruesome injury while attempting an advanced skill during training.
Naufal Takdir Al Bari died in Penza, Russia, after spending 12 days in intensive care due to a severe neck injury.
“The Indonesian Gymnastics Federation is in mourning, male athlete Naufal Takdir Al Bari has passed away,” the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation stated, according to PEOPLE.
“The 19-year-old gymnast breathed his last after undergoing intensive care for 12 days at GA Zakharyin Hospital,” it added.
Olympic hopeful dies after suffering neck injury during advanced gymnastics stunt https://t.co/K5NCDIV1EJ pic.twitter.com/pct6ZiWUw9
— New York Post (@nypost) September 27, 2025
PEOPLE shared more:
Bari reportedly suffered a “severe” neck injury after falling “awkwardly” into a foam pit while training on a high bar, the Russian Gymnastics Federation said on social media.
ADVERTISEMENTThe teenager was preparing to compete in the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Indonesia in October, and he was projected to make it to the next Summer Olympics, which are taking place in Los Angeles.
Ita Yuliati, the Chairperson of Indonesian Gymnastics, said in a statement, “Naufal was a talented young athlete, and a good figure.”
“Indonesian Gymnastics has lost the nation’s best,” Yuliati continued, adding: “This is a deep blow and sorrow for us. May the family be given strength.”
Russian gymnastic officials said they investigated the athlete’s death following the horrific incident.
Indonesian men's gymnast Naufal Takdir Al Bari died after suffering a neck injury in training, according to the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation.
The 19-year-old was at a training camp in Russia when he fell awkwardly into a foam pit while training the high bar, according to… pic.twitter.com/SphkDMNE8F
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) September 26, 2025
The New York Post noted:
Russian gymnastic officials said they conducted an investigation into Al Bari’s death, noting the rising star was not ready to perform the element he attempted.
“We sent our condolences to the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation today, informed them of what happened, and we have done everything that needed to be done,” Vasily Titov, vice president of the federation, told Russian media.
“We conducted the necessary investigation, and all the circumstances surrounding the injury have been established. Unfortunately, the athlete was not prepared to perform such a complex element.”
The stunt Al Bari was executing remains unknown.
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