OODENSE, Denmark, Dec. 3, 2015 – The 2015 World Trampoline and Tumbling Age Group Competitions starts today in Odense, Denmark, with the first day of qualification and finals. The event, which runs through Dec. 5, determines champions in individual and synchronized trampoline, double mini-trampoline and tumbling for boys and girls aged 11 to 18.
The United States delegation of 63 athletes includes returning champions Eve Doudican, tumbling; Alyssa Oh, double mini; Jessica Stevens, synchronized trampoline; and Sydney Senter, double mini.
Fans can watch the competition live on via gymdanmark.dk. Each competition day has both prelims and finals for differing age groups in all four events. The general schedule is prelims and finals for the events and age groups for both boys and girls, listed by day: Dec. 3 – 11-12 trampoline, 13-14 tumbling, 15-16 double-mini and 17-18 synchronized trampoline; Dec. 4 – 13-14 trampoline, 15-16 tumbling, 17-18 double-mini and 11-12 synchro; Dec 5 – 15-16 trampoline, 17-18 tumbling, 11-12 double-mini and 13-14 synchro; and Dec. 6 – 17-18 trampoline, 11-12 tumbling, 13-14 double-mini, and 15-16 synchro. For a detailed schedule, click here. Additional information is available on the Denmark Gymnastics Federation’s microsite, http://www.wch2015.dk/.
Trampoline events involve athletes using trampolines that can propel them up to 30 feet in the air, during which they can perform double and triple twisting somersaults. Tumbling utilizes elevated rod-floor runways that enable athletes to jump at heights more than 10 feet and execute a variety of acrobatic maneuvers. For the double-mini competition, the athlete makes a short run, leaps onto a small two-level trampoline, performs an aerial maneuver and dismounts onto a landing mat. Trampoline was added to the Olympic Games in 2000, and at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the USA had its first athlete in history advance to the finals.