NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
US Air Force Second Lieutenant Patrick Hoopes won bronze in the pommel horse at the World Gymnastics Championships in Indonesia last week. It was a lifelong dream that he had been working towards, alongside his military service contributions, since taking up the sport at just two years old.
“It was so amazing. There’s kind of three big things a gymnast growing up in the U.S. wants to compete in; the U.S. Championships, the Olympics, and then the World Championships. So it was kind of a big dream come true,” Hoopes told Pakinomist Digital.
“I remember thinking all along that there were a few little mistakes that I could already feel, which I know I did, but when I made it through the whole routine, I came down, greeted the judges, hit the routine, and was really excited… when the last competitor left and I saw that I was third, I was like, ‘this is crazy.’ World medalist is a title that I didn’t think I would get as an adult.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Patrick Hoopes of Team United States competes in the men’s pommel horse apparatus final on day six of the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at the Indonesia Arena on October 24, 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
But it wasn’t all victories in Indonesia.
During the week, Hoopes had learned of a controversial situation that overshadowed the competition worldwide.
The host nation’s government denied visas to all of Team Israel’s athletes, preventing them from competing. The Indonesian government cited security concerns amid potential local protests and the war in Gaza to exclude the Israeli gymnasts.
“A lot of people were, I don’t know if they were upset, but they were pretty upset that Israel wasn’t going to be there. I mean, anyone who understands the work they’ve put in to get to that point and be able to show up to world championships, and an athlete from any country to be denied that for reasons beyond their control is always a pretty disappointing story to hear,” he says.
TRUMP WRITES LETTER TO ISRAELITS AFTER ALL THE LIVE RENTALS ISSUED BY HAMAS
(Left) Team Israel competes during the Rhythmic Gymnastics Group All-Around Finals on Day 15 of the Paris 2024 Olympics at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena in Paris, France, on August 10, 2024. (Right) Activists who are members of the “Indonesia Global Peace Convoy” hold a demonstration in front of the Jakarta Embassy, Indonesia 3, Ockarta, Indonesia. 2025. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images; Aditya Irawan/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Indonesia’s denial of visas to the Israelis sparked international backlash, with the International Olympic Committee even stepping in to condemn the decision in a statement and later ending all discussion with the country to host a future Olympics. The IOC also recommended that no international sporting events be held in Indonesia.
Indonesian Sports Minister Erick Thohir defended his country’s decision last week, saying: “We adhere to the principle of maintaining security, public order and public interest in hosting any international event.”
Hoopes empathized with the Israeli gymnasts and expressed his support for them and the work they put into the competition.
“For the athletes themselves, who don’t directly work with what’s happening in that side of their country, for them to be penalized for what was going on, especially after putting all that work into their training and trying to be ready for this competition. I know if it was going to happen to me if it was a week before and I’d been training and putting in all that effort and getting very ready, and I think it’s very sad, and to get ready,” Hoopes said.
“It’s just a sad thing that these athletes didn’t get the chance to prove themselves.”
USA’s Patrick Hoopes reacts after competing in the men’s pommel horse final at the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta on October 24, 2025. (Yasuyoshi CHIBA/AFP)
Hoopes hopes to compete alongside Team Israel gymnasts at the 2028 Los Angles Olympics as he turns his attention to reaching the next goal between his military service, the World Military Games in North Carolina in 2027, and the next World Championships in the coming years.
