Gymnastics Community Heartbroken As Olympic Medalist Hit With Medical Setback

“Got to wear British flag for the first time again in competition nearly 2 years later! It’s such a surreal feeling to be back on the international stage with such an incredible crowd in Paris! What a feeling I’ve missed but adore so much. It’s been a long time coming. Onto finals… ” read an Instagram post by this Olympic gymnast, who had to go off the mat for two years due to her injury. What a feeling it would have been to put on that leotard once again, the responsibility to be the nation’s pride once again – to compete with the best in the world. But alas, this never could happen.

The British Gymnastics has announced the team for the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta, and the big shocker is that Olympic bronze medalist Jessica Gadirova is not on the team. The sports governing body for gymnastics disciplines in the United Kingdom announced that Gadirova has withdrawn from the championships due to a recent injury. “Jessica Gadirova was originally selected for the team however, a recent injury setback resulted in her withdrawal. We’re continuing to support Jess and her longer term journey towards her wider Olympic goals,” they said.

Though the nature of the injury has not been specified by either the Olympian or the British Gymnastics, Jessica sitting this out is indeed a setback to both parties. A fan saying, “This is so heartbreaking..” is the perfect word for this situation. Jessica, who had recently made her comeback to gymnastics after sitting out for 2 years, is back in the dungeon, and the British Team is losing its best hopes at the World Championships.

Jessica’s portfolio speaks for itself. In the Tokyo Olympics, the British Gymnast finished in the top 10 in the individual all-around final and was not only a part of the GB team but also instrumental in the nation, claiming its first Olympic medal (bronze) since 1928, etching her name in history. At the 2022 World Championships in Liverpool, Jessica Gadirova made history by becoming the youngest British gymnast ever to win a World Championship gold on floor exercise. She also played a key role in helping Great Britain secure team silver and won all-around bronze, becoming the first British woman to medal in the World all-around.

Jessica Gadirova, GBR, during qualification at 2025 Les Internationaux De France De Gymnastique French Open in Paris-Bercy 13/09/2025 *** Jessica Gadirova, GBR, during qualification at 2025 Les Internationaux De France De Gymnastique French Open in Paris Bercy 13 09 2025 PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHNxSUI

Her European Championships journey has been equally remarkable: between 2021 and 2023, she won three consecutive floor titles, a feat no woman had ever achieved, and in 2023, she claimed the European all-around title while helping her team to gold. In Jessica’s absence, Abi Martin, Alia Leat, Ruby Evans, and Shantae-Eve Amankwaah will be going in as the British women’s contingent to the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta. The gymnastic community, for sure, is sad at the loss of such talent.

Gymnastics community saddened over Olympian’s injury

A user said, “can life give these two girls a break? what is going on it’s one after the other .. and they seem to be doing extensive rehab and amazing work at strength training.. how does this happen so much “.  The post refers to her twin sister Jen Gadirova as well, and this emotion is truly justified because back in 2023, she tore her anterior cruciate ligament at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp. “At this point I don’t know for sure how long but I’ll be doing everything I can with the support of those around me to return to the sport I love as soon as I can,” she said back then. It wasn’t until March 2, 2025, that she returned to the English Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool.

On top of that, her twin sister, Jen Gadirova, has also suffered an injury and is going under the same gruelling rehabilitation that she did. “To know that she is going through what I have for the last year and a half, takes a toll and hurts my heart,” Jessica had said. Another comment read, “Oh no i was so looking forward to watching her.” We all were. An Olympian. A European Champion. A World Champion. What a sight it would have to behold – her competing in Jakarta. “The way I just screamed at the ceiling she’s been working so hard!” read another comment, and where’s the lie?

The gymnast was at the 2025 British Gymnastics Championships, her first major competition back since the ACL injury. She secured her position on the World Championships team by winning a silver medal on the bars with a score of 12.700. Emily Rope took the top spot with 13.050, while Ellie Lewis was third with a score of 12.450. “I’ve been waiting for this for a very long time, and it’s good to be back,” she said. She shone internationally as well after her return.

In September at the Paris World Challenge Cup, Gadirova placed 5th on uneven bars (13.200: 5.6 D, 7.600 E) and 7th on balance beam (13.100), showing strong determination. She sure was ready for the World Championships, but destiny had it plans. “Wishing you a speedy recovery, Jessica Gadirova” read one comment, but that is the wish of the entire gymnastics community.

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