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IMPCT Weekly
Power Tumbling
Most people think gymnastics begins and ends with the Olympics. Every four years, millions tune in to watch gravity-defying routines on the floor, vault and bars, assuming they're seeing the very best the sport has to offer.
Hidden away from the Olympic spotlight lies Power Tumbling, a discipline where athletes launch themselves down a 25-metre sprung runway, linking together 8 flips and twists in just a few seconds. The skills are so difficult that even Olympic artistic gymnasts often look on with admiration.
Yet despite producing world champions and selling out international events, these athletes know there is one prize they'll never compete for: Olympic gold.
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IMPCT Weekly
Tumbling Around The World
Power Tumbling has been part of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for decades, and features at the Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships alongside trampoline and double mini trampoline.
Athletes spend years perfecting routines that combine extraordinary power, precision and body control, often reaching heights and rotation speeds rarely seen elsewhere in gymnastics. In terms of pure acrobatics, many would argue tumblers are among the most explosive athletes in the world. So why isn't it on the Olympic programme?
The answer definitely isn't a lack of talent. It's largely down to the Olympic Games' limits on athlete numbers and event quotas. Every new discipline added means difficult decisions about what can realistically fit into the Games, and power tumbling has repeatedly found itself on the outside looking in.
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Friction
That debate has only become louder in recent years. The inclusion of Breaking at Paris 2024 sparked fresh conversations across the gymnastics community, with many fans asking why a discipline like tumbling, which is already governed by the FIG and boasting established world championships, still has no Olympic place.
Supporters argue tumbling offers spectacular, television-friendly performances that could easily captivate new audiences, while others point out that expanding the Olympic programme isn't as simple as just adding another event. Athlete quotas, broadcasting schedules and venue capacity all influence what makes the final cut.
Whether you agree or not, one thing is clear: some of the world's most accomplished gymnasts continue to perform outside the biggest sporting stage on Earth.
IMPCT Weekly
Watch the Best of the Best
Check out the 2019 Male Tumbling World Championships Finals to see the individuals at the very top of the sport. I bet you’ll be left knowing why we think this is one of the most underrated sports in the world..
Perhaps that's what makes Power Tumbling so fascinating. It reminds us that Olympic status isn't always the same as sporting excellence. Some sports become global phenomena because they're on the Olympic stage, while others quietly build passionate communities despite never getting that opportunity. As fans, we often assume the Olympics showcase every elite discipline, but tumbling proves that's far from true.
Maybe the real question isn't whether Power Tumbling deserves to be Olympic. It's how many incredible sports we're missing simply because they don't fit inside the Olympic programme.
IMPCT Weekly
Has This Sport Peaked Your Interest?
Where to Watch?
1. YouTube
FIG Channel for full Tumbling World Championships, World Cup highlights and athlete profiles.
European Gymnastics for major championship coverage featuring many of Europe's best tumblers.
Search "FIG Tumbling World Championships Finals" to experience the incredible speed and difficulty of elite routines.
2. Instagram
@gymnastics (FIG) for international competition highlights across all gymnastics disciplines, including tumbling.
@europeangymnastics for European Championships and athlete features.
Follow leading tumblers such as Mikhail Malkin, Jia Fangfang and Kristof Willerton to see how elite athletes train and compete.
3. Official Websites
Visit the FIG (International Gymnastics Federation) website to follow World Championships, World Cups, rankings and event schedules.
The British Gymnastics website is a great place to discover tumbling clubs, competitions and pathways within the UK.
Want to Try Yourself?
1. Start With the Fundamentals
Before attempting flips, develop body awareness through rolls, handstands, cartwheels and round-offs under qualified coaching.
Strong basics are the foundation of every elite tumbler.
2. Join a Gymnastics Club
Power tumbling is almost always taught through gymnastics clubs with sprung tracks and qualified coaches.
British Gymnastics' club finder is the best place to begin your search.
3. Build Strength and Flexibility
Explosive leg power, core strength and mobility are essential for safe progression.
Most beginners spend as much time conditioning as they do learning new skills.
4. Progress Safely
Elite tumblers spend years developing their routines.
Master each skill before moving on to the next, using foam pits, spotting belts and specialist equipment wherever possible.
5. Watch the Best
Watching international competitions is one of the fastest ways to appreciate technique, rhythm and execution.
Notice how athletes generate speed while maintaining incredible body control.
6. Train Consistently
Power tumbling rewards patience.
Small improvements in technique, timing and confidence accumulate over months and years, turning basic skills into spectacular routines that seem almost impossible to the untrained eye.
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