In a historic sixth trip to the world championships, Team USA gymnast Donnell Whittenberg has finally reached the top of the podium. Whittenberg cruised to gold on the still rings this morning in Jakarta, defeating top challenger and 2022 world champion on rings, Adam Asil of Turkey.
With his triumph, Whittenberg became the first American man to win gold on the rings. Perhaps even more impressively – at 31 years old – the veteran became the oldest U.S. man to win a world gymnastics title.
This medal marks Whittenburg’s third at the World Championships, joining a 2014 team bronze and a 2015 vault bronze.
Known for his “titanic strength” and highly difficult dismount (which bears his name as an eponymous skill), Whittenberg looked in disbelief when the judges posted his score (14.700) to confirm the gold.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Whittenburg told Olympics.com following his victory. While he admitted that this gold medal “wasn’t on his radar,” he is savoring the moment. “Once you get opportunities like this, you just have to appreciate it for what it is, and I couldn’t be more happy.”
In his 12th year representing USA Gymnastics on the international stage, Donnell Whittenberg has delivered his best gymnastics.
Final Results (Medalists):
- Donnell Whittenburg (United States) 14.700
- Adem Asil (Turkey) 14.566
- Lan Xingyu (China) 14.500
From Retirement Considerations to World Title
This gold medal carries extra meaning for the Baltimore, Maryland, native. Despite his longevity in the sport, Whittenberg has yet to make an Olympic team as a competing athlete. He has twice been named an alternate (2016, 2024).
Further, after narrowly missing the team in 2024 and incurring an Achilles injury, Whittenberg considered retirement. However, the then-30-year-old determined he had more to accomplish in the sport.
I still have a lot of gymnastics to give,” he told Olympics.com in October.
Now, the fan-favorite can check “World Champion” off his list. While today’s triumph will be hard to match, Whittenberg is not done yet in Jakarta.
He is slated to compete in Saturday’s men’s parallel bars final. Though he is unlikely to challenge for gold there, anything is possible in the sport of gymnastics.
With three years remaining between Jakarta 2025 and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Whittenberg is on pace for his ultimate goal and shows no signs of stopping.