Fans Stunned as Jordan Chiles’ Rival Breaks 17-Year Curse at European Gymnastics Championships

“I’m not going to lie, it was a really tough time last year and in the beginning of this year.” Those heartfelt words came from an 18-year-old gymnastics sensation who went through a rocky period following the Paris Olympics. Around the same time, Jordan Chiles also found herself navigating challenges. Particularly regarding the controversy surrounding the Olympic bronze medal in the women’s floor exercise. Interestingly, their journeys intersected during that turbulent phase. Fast forward to now, Jordan Chiles is enjoying a glamorous moment as a presenter on the red carpet at the 2025 American Music Awards, while the Romanian gymnast in question is quietly making waves with impressive performances on the mat. Gymnastics fans are loving every moment of her resurgence. So, can you guess who she is?

Ana Barbosu’s dominance at the 2020 European Junior Championships—where she swept every junior event—was just the beginning of her story. Fast forward to 2025, and the rising Romanian star is proving that her best chapters are still being written. At this year’s European Championships, Ana kicked things off by clinching a bronze medal in the all-around—a huge statement on the senior stage. But she wasn’t done yet.

Ana punched her ticket to the uneven bars final, marking not only her first appearance in a continental final for the event but also a historic milestone: Ana became the first Romanian gymnast since Larisa Iordache to qualify for all apparatus finals at the European Championships. Then came May 30. Under the bright lights and roaring applause, Ana delivered a stunning routine on the uneven bars and earned herself a well-deserved bronze medal. With that, she broke a 17-year drought, becoming the first Romanian gymnast to win a medal on the uneven bars since Steliana Nistor’s silver in 2008. As Ana stepped onto the podium, pride radiated from her smile, and it was clear to everyone watching: a new era of Romanian gymnastics is unfolding.

no caption needed pic.twitter.com/DblyiqXeDH

— carmen (@eythorasfloor) May 29, 2025

The leaderboard in the uneven bars final placed Ana Barbosu in third with a score of 13.766, while gymnastics icon Nina Derwael topped the standings with a 14.766. For Ana, this wasn’t just about winning a medal. It was a dream come true. Back in 2019, when she was just 13, Ana had named Nina as one of her favorite gymnasts. So on Friday, standing on the podium alongside her idol was more than a career milestone—it was a full-circle moment.

The gymnastics world didn’t miss the emotional significance. One fan on X captured the sentiment perfectly, posting, “ana barbosu is so random im crying.” It was a lighthearted but heartfelt nod to Ana’s unexpected rise and undeniable talent. What makes her success even more remarkable is that she almost didn’t compete at these European Championships. But she chose to show up—and now the results speak volumes. And with two more events still to go, fans are wondering: Can Ana add a few more glorious chapters to this already impressive campaign?

Adding to the Romanian gymnast’s motivation was the encouragement she received from teammate Denisa Golgota, whose support clearly made an impact. But it’s not just her teammates—fans everywhere have rallied behind Ana, cheering on the young Olympian for everything she’s accomplished so far.

The gymnastics fans lined up for the Romanian phenom, Ana Barbosu

The final verdict over the ownership of the bronze medal in the Olympic floor exercise event is still pending, and both Jordan Chiles and Ana Barbosu continue to wait for the outcome. But in the meantime, Ana has found solace—and plenty of celebration—in her standout performances at the 2025 European Championships.

With her recent successes, the gymnastics community has rallied behind her with praise and admiration. Gymnastics journalist Carolina Price summed it up perfectly on X: “Easily one of the prettiest Romanian bar routines ever. Ana Barbosu with two bronze medals already at this year’s Euros..with her two best events still to come!” That’s right—beam and floor are still on the horizon, and the excitement is only building as the weekend finals approach.

Another fan highlighted both her podium finish and her academic future, posting: “Another bronze at European Championships for incoming Stanford frosh Ana Barbosu, this time on uneven bars.” It’s a moment where talent, timing, and transition collide—Ana is not only collecting medals but stepping into a new chapter as a Stanford freshman.

And fans haven’t forgotten the drama that preceded her appearance. One wrote with affectionate humor: “Ana Barbosu, please don’t attend worlds due to University, but then attend after all. The level of awesomeness can not be described in numbers.” It’s true—Ana wasn’t even sure she’d compete at the European Championships. But she did, and now her journey has become one of the most talked-about stories in the sport.

Paris 2024 Olympics – Artistic Gymnastics – Women’s Qualification – Subdivision 1 – Bercy Arena, Paris, France – July 28, 2024. Ana Barbosu of Romania in action on the Floor Exercise. REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Of course, the internet had its fun too. One user joked, “ana barbosu loves a bronze medal,” capturing her back-to-back podium finishes with a wink. While the Swiss court decision still looms in the background, Ana Barbosu isn’t waiting around. She’s out there, making history, inspiring fans, and proving that no matter the verdict, her story is already golden.

The post Fans Stunned as Jordan Chiles’ Rival Breaks 17-Year Curse at European Gymnastics Championships appeared first on EssentiallySports.