Indonesian gymnast Naufal Takdir Al Bari dies after foam-pit injury in Russia

An Indonesian gymnast has died in Russia after a foam-pit training accident that left him with a neck injury, officials said. Naufal Takdir Al Bari, 19, sustained the injury during a horizontal bar routine in Penza and died after spending 12 days in intensive care at GA Zakharyin Hospital.

According to the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation, Al Bari was one of the nation’s most talented gymnasts and was preparing to compete at the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in 2025 and the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok. He was also projected to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the federation said in a statement expressing grief over his passing. The IGF noted that Al Bari had been in intensive care for 12 days before his death and described him as a rising star who had been closely watched on the international stage. The federation conveyed condolences to his family and acknowledged the broad impact of his loss on Indonesian sports.

Russian officials provided a different perspective on how the injury occurred. Vasily Titov, vice president of the Russian Gymnastics Federation, said Al Bari was hurt after performing a routine he had not been prepared to undertake. "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," Titov said, noting that the incident prompted questions about preparation and safety in training.

The IGF’s tribute underscored the disappointment felt within Indonesian sports circles. The federation stated that Al Bari was among the country’s best talents, and its message highlighted the sorrow across Indonesian gymnastics as officials emphasized the need to support his family through their loss. The death comes at a time when youth-level gymnasts from Indonesia and elsewhere are preparing for major international events, and it has renewed attention on safety protocols in competitive environments and the handling of foam-pit training elements.

The circumstances surrounding Al Bari’s death remain under review, with investigators examining how the routine came to be attempted and whether the athlete had sufficient training for the element involved. Indonesian officials urged continued cooperation with medical authorities and sport-specific safety standards as the gymnastics community processes this tragedy. While the global gymnastics world mourns, officials stress that safety measures and appropriate preparation must be central to all training, particularly for complex maneuvers on apparatus such as the horizontal bar.

This is a developing story, and officials have indicated that more information will follow as investigations progress. In the meantime, Indonesia’s gymnastics federation and fans alike are paying tribute to a young athlete whose potential had positioned him as a beacon for the sport in the country.