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By Olivia Dimech
In a year already marked by rising momentum for tumbling and trampoline athletes across the Hawkesbury and Greater Western Sydney region, New South Wales gymnasts have delivered another surge of international success.
Competing at the 38th FIG Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Pamplona, Spain, Ethan McGuinness secured gold in the Men’s tumbling Final, reaffirming his position as one of Australia’s most accomplished athletes in the discipline. The victory marks the 24 year old’s second world title after first capturing gold at the 2022 Championships, an achievement that placed him firmly on the global stage. Two years later, his return to the top of the podium demonstrates a rare combination of consistency, resilience and competitive maturity.
McGuinness’s triumph also continues a strong story for the region, where local clubs have seen increased recognition and participation, as tumbling continues to flourish as a pathway sport. His success serves as a powerful inspiration for younger athletes and a testament to the growing high performance capability emerging out of Western Sydney.
NSW’s influence in Pamplona extended well beyond McGuinness’s individual title. Nicolas Diaz Ballas of Kellyville Ridge and Razorback’s Troy Sitkowski played crucial roles in securing Australia’s silver medal in the Double Mini Trampoline Team event. Both athletes train at the Sydney Gymnastics Centre in Rooty Hill and joined teammates Nicolas Rohan Wilcox and Matthew French in a uniquely structured team competition that emphasises depth, precision and strategy. Their strong showing behind the United States highlights the depth of talent within the NSW program and reinforces the states position as a national powerhouse in trampoline disciplines.
While NSW men dominated in Spain, another of Australia’s leading gymnasts made headlines in Europe. On her return to international competition following a serious Achilles injury in May 2024, 28 year old Georgia Godwin, a Tokyo Olympian now based on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, delivered a stunning comeback at the 2025 Gympies Gymnova Cup in Keerbergen, Belgium. Competing in three events, Godwin claimed gold in all of them. Her clean confident routines signal not only a successful rehabilitation but also her readiness to re-enter the international circuit with renewed strength.
Nicolas Diaz Ballas and Troy Sitkowski at the FIG Gymnastics World Championships. Pamplona, Spain
For Gymnastics NSW, the recent achievements mark one of the strongest collective international performances in recent memory. For local communities, including the Hawkesbury, Penrith and the broader Western Sydney corridor, these results underscore the region’s growing influence in shaping the next generation of world-class athletes.
As tumbling and trampoline participation continues to climb, the accomplishments od McGuinness, Diaz Ballas, Stikowski and Godwin provide powerful narratives of perseverance and ambition. Their performances are more than medals, they are momentum, pushing NSW gymnastics into a new era of visibility, pride and global competitiveness.
