Ukraine Wins First-Ever Gold in Mixed Pairs at The World Games 2025
Ukraine has won its first-ever “gold” in mixed pairs acrobatic gymnastics at The World Games, marking not only a personal triumph for athletes Yefrosyniia Kryvytska and Ivan Labunets, but also a milestone for the entire national acrobatic school.
The World Games are an international multi-sport event featuring non-Olympic disciplines, held every four years under the patronage of the International World Games Association (IWGA) with the support of the IOC.
The 2025 edition was held in Chengdu, China, from August 7 to 17, gathering 4,000 athletes from 118 countries in 34 sports. Acrobatic gymnastics took place from August 8 to 10 at the Dong’an Lake Sports Park Gymnasium.
Ukraine has been competing in The World Games since 1993, winning 58 gold, 59 silver, and 54 bronze medals, ranking 9th in the all-time medal standings.
Victory Day August 8, 2025
In the mixed pairs final on August 8, the Ukrainian duo Kryvytska/Labunets delivered a stunning performance that earned 29.110 points, the highest score among all competitors, surpassing Portugal and Israel.
“This is not just a medal it is recognition of the work of the whole team, our coaches, the federation, and those who believed in us until the very end,” said Yefrosyniia Kryvytska after the performance.
For Ukraine, this is the first-ever “gold” in mixed pairs at The World Games and the ninth gold in acrobatic gymnastics in its entire history at the event.
Who They Are Yefrosyniia Kryvytska and Ivan Labunets
Yefrosyniia Kryvytska is one of Ukraine’s most talented acrobats, a participant in World and European Championships, and a multiple medalist at international tournaments. Her strengths include technical precision, endurance, and mental composure in high-pressure moments.
Ivan Labunets is an experienced acrobat known for his strength, execution accuracy, and ability to maintain balance in the most complex routines. Coaches note that he “always finds a way to safely complete even the riskiest element.”
Their partnership began several years ago, and from their very first competitions, it was clear: these were future champions. Systematic training, daily practice, and full commitment during preparation camps paid off in Chengdu.
Why This Victory Matters
First, it’s a psychological breakthrough for Ukrainian acrobatics. Until now, Ukrainian mixed pairs often fell just short of gold.
Second, the medal reaffirms Ukraine’s status as one of the world’s leading nations in acrobatics.
Third, the success of Kryvytska and Labunets sends a powerful message to young athletes: ambitious goals are achievable, even in challenging training conditions during wartime.
Other Team Achievements
Alongside the “gold” in mixed pairs, Ukrainian athletes Anelina Chernyavska and Ruzanna Vecheruk took silver in women’s pairs with a score of 28.270 points, finishing just behind Belgium.
Acrobatic Gymnastics at The World Games
Acrobatic gymnastics was first featured at The World Games in 1993. Ukrainian athletes have consistently been among the medalists, with the most successful years being 2017 and 2022, when they won multiple gold medals across different categories.
What’s Next
The victory in Chengdu opens new opportunities for the Kryvytska/Labunets duo including participation in the 2026 World Championships and a series of prestigious international tournaments. The Ukrainian Acrobatic Gymnastics Federation has already stated that this pair will form the backbone of the national team in the coming years.
“We will do everything to keep the bar high and achieve even better results. This medal is just the beginning,” emphasized Ivan Labunets.
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