Colombian sports celebrated in a big way once again following the brilliant performance of Camilo Vera Carrascal, the young gymnast who won two gold medals at the Junior Artistic Gymnastics World Championships held in Manila, Philippines. At just 18 years old, Vera positioned himself as one of the rising stars of international gymnastics and renewed the country’s optimism in this discipline, following in the footsteps of fellow Colombian standout Angel Barajas.
The championship, held from Nov. 20 to 25, 2025, brought together the world’s most promising athletes. However, it was the Colombian who ended up surprising both the judges and the audience with routines of exceptional difficulty and a confidence that set him apart from the rest.
Two perfect routines that led the Colombian athlete to win two gold medals at the Junior Gymnastics World Championships
The first medal came in the parallel bars event, where Vera scored 13.866, the result of an impeccable, clean routine performed with excellent body control. His execution surpassed competitors from historic gymnastics powerhouses, placing him at the top.
The second gold, perhaps the most memorable, came in the horizontal bar, an event that demands precision, strength, and flawless coordination. Vera achieved 14.533 points, outperforming American Danila Leykin and Filipino Jahrel Yulo, both of whom were considered favorites. The International Gymnastics Federation praised his performance for its “excellent combination of difficulty and a perfect landing,” a recognition reserved only for the most outstanding athletes.
His coach, Jairo Ruiz Casas, praised the gymnast’s bravery, stating that “Camilo decided to take risks and opted for higher-difficulty routines, which ultimately made the difference.”
Camilo Vera’s trajectory
Camilo Vera is part of the Norte de Santander League, and from an early age he stood out for his natural talent and discipline. His rise has been meteoric — he has accumulated more than 20 international medals, including gold, silver, and bronze, in continental and world events.
Among his most notable achievements are:
Junior Pan-American Games Asuncion 2025: three golds and one silver.
Junior Pan-American Championship Rio 2022: five golds, one silver, and two bronzes.
Youth Bolivarian Games: four golds and one silver.
Pacific Rim Cali 2024: multiple medals in individual events.
His style is characterized by connecting high-difficulty movements with an elegance rarely seen in gymnasts his age. This has led him to be considered the second major reference in Colombian gymnastics, only behind Angel Barajas, who paved the way for this new generation.
A historic milestone for Colombian gymnastics
The double gold achieved in the Philippines is not only a personal triumph but also a significant step forward for Colombian gymnastics, which in recent years has gained visibility on the international stage.
With his current trajectory, Vera is emerging as a strong candidate to represent Colombia at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where he could establish himself as one of the standout athletes of the Olympic cycle.