November 15, 2013

Junior national power tumbling champion, Brandon Krzynefski, has added a new title to his ever-growing list of accomplishments:  World Champion.  The 16-year-old power tumbling dynamo from Capital Gymnastics in Burke, VA, won gold in the 15-16 division of the World Age Group Championship in Sophia, Bulgaria, on Friday, November 15, 2013.  The World Age Group Championship is the highest level competition for a junior international elite power tumbler.


Krzynefski poses with his gold medal at the 2013 World Age Group Championship
in Sophia, Bulgaria


Krzynefksi led the field after prelims, and then scored 33.900 in the finals to win the gold.  Russia's Stanislav Gostev scored 33.200 for the silver medal, followed by Kyle Carragher of Canada, who earned the bronze with a score of 33.100.

The title of World Champion is especially sweet for Krzynefski because he missed 2011 and 2012 World Age Group Championships because of injury.  After being unable to compete nationally or internationally for two years, Krzynefski made a triumphant return to competition in 2013, winning every competition he entered.  Before flipping his way to gold at the World Age Group championship, he picked up gold medals at the 2013 U.S. Elite Challenge, the 2013 Trampoline and Tumbling Championships, and the 2013 Stars & Stripes Cup. 

This is Krzynefski’s third trip to the World Age Group Competition.  In 2009, as a 12-year-old, he won the bronze in the 11-12 year-old division of the competition, in St. Petersburg, Russia.  The following year, he finished fifth in the 13-14 division at the competition in Metz, France.     



12-year-old Krzynefksi on the podium with his bronze medal at his first World Age Group Championship
in St. Petersburg, Russia in 2009

Gymnastike had the pleasure of catching up with Krzynefski and his life-long coach, Sergio Galvez, at one of Krzynefksi's final training sessions before he left for Bulgaria.  Click below to get to know the sweet, talented, and dedicated Krzynefski, find out how he bounced back after injury, and see adorable footage of him as a young tumbler.   

Meet Brandon days before he became World Champion!  

Learn the secret to Brandon's success from his coach, Sergio Galvez!

Watch more video of Brandon Krzynefski on gymnastike.org