Derwael wins gold and Vaelen takes bronze at European Gymnastics Championships

Nina Derwael has claimed gold on the uneven bars at the European Gymnastics Championships in Leipzig, securing her third continental title in the event. Earlier in the day, fellow Belgian Lisa Vaelen added to the medal tally with bronze in the vault final.

Derwael delivered a composed and technically impressive routine and earned 14.466 points, an improvement on her qualifying score. With top contenders unable to match her mark, the former Olympic champion added a third European title on the bars, following wins in 2017 and 2018.

The result marks a significant milestone in Derwael’s return to form: it is her first major medal since undergoing shoulder surgery in 2023. The performance also sets a strong tone for her campaign towards the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Earlier, fellow Belgian Lisa Vaelen captured bronze in the vault final with a score of 13.666. She finished behind Germany’s Karina Schoenmaier (13.983) and Bulgaria’s Valentina Heogieva (13.900). Vaelen also took bronze at the 2023 European Championships in Antalya. 

^{Nina Derwael at the 2024 Paris Olympics © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE}