Emma Slevin, Halle Hilton, & James Hickey have closed out apparatus finals at the 2025 FIG World Challenge Cup in front of over 15,000 fans in the packed out Accor Arena in Paris.
Slevin qualified in 8th place to the Balance Beam Final and just missed the podium by one tenth placing 4th. Hilton qualified in 4th place in the Balance Beam Final as well finishing in 7th place with a score of 11.966. Hickey qualified in 7th and finished in 7th bettering his score to a 14.066 in the Pommel-Horse Final.
Slevin was calm and collected through the entirety of her routine showing a dynamic and beautiful routine. She bested her score from qualifications and just missed the podium by a single tenth placing her in 4th. Teammate Hilton fought hard, and showcased strength and determination through her routine and placed 7th scoring a 11.966. Great achievements for both gymnasts in Sunday's Balance Beam Final.
This is Hickey's first Senior Major International event. He held his composure and delivered another spectacular routine bettering his qualification score to 14.066 finishing in 7th place in Sunday's Pommel-Final.
Teammate Maeve McGuinness made her World Cup debut as well on vault scoring a 12.933 for her first vault and 12.200 for her second. Her average score with bonus was 12.766. She placed 15th out of 28 competitors. Great result for her first World Cup major.
Hilton comments on her performance:
"Competing in the final at the Gymnastics World Cup in Paris was an amazing experience. It wasn’t the best routine, but I’ve taken a lot from it and I’m proud to have reached the final. Huge thanks to Gymnastics Ireland for their support and giving me this opportunity, and to everyone who’s supported me — the journey continues!"
Hickey speaks on his first Senior Final:
"That was truly an incredible experience, such an amazing atmosphere with a brilliant packed stadium. This is what I've been working for, weekends like this. I kind of have to pinch myself when I look at the gymnasts I competed with, not just the final but also the qualification were both stacked with lots of the best in the world. I can't wait to get back in training now, I have taken huge encouragement from my trip to Paris. Huge thank you to Gymnastics Ireland and Phoenix Gymnastics Club for all their support."
Commenting on the results from Finals, Women's Head Coach Sandra Stevenson said:
“Amazing experience for Emma and Halle today and fantastic to have 2 Ireland gymnasts competing together in the prestigious Paris World Cup beam final. A great opportunity to try out new routine constructions as we build towards 2026. Congratulations to all the finalists we are very proud of you all and well done to Maeve and James on their first ever World Cup!!”
Commenting on the performances CEO of Gymnastics Ireland Mr. Ciaran Gallagher said:
"Superb result for our guys at the Bercy Arena in Paris in the same venue where just over one year ago Rhys delivered his Olympic gold. Today’s result shows the depth emerging in our system with huge credit due to the gymnasts, coaches and clubs working in partnership with our national performance team and our partners at the Sport Ireland Institute. Great first World Cup outing for Maeve and just superb results with Emma and Halle in the Beam final plus James in his first major international senior debut in the pommel final! An important result for these guys at the start of the LA Olympic cycle at one of the biggest gymnastics World Cup events! Congratulations guys!"
Job well done to all coaches, gymnasts, and judges!
For more exciting gymnastics news like us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn & YouTube @GymnasticsIRE #GymasticsIreland #Sportstartshere
