James Hickey has already competed at numerous World Cups this year in Baku, Antalya, Cairo and Osijek, making the final on Pommel Horse in Antalya and Osijek, which saw him win his first World Cup medal (Bronze in Antalya), which means James has qualified for a place at the 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands for Ireland in October. Last September, James made his full senior international debut at the Paris World Challenge Cup, qualifying for the Pommel Horse final, and at the 2026 National Series National Championships, he won Gold on Pommel Horse, Silver on Horizontal Bar and Bronze on Rings, as well as retaining his All-Around title, having become the youngest ever All-Around senior champion last year. As a junior gymnast, James competed with Ireland at the 2024 Junior European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rimini, making the Pommel Horse final, and the previous year, he had his first major international competition, once again representing Ireland, at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Maribor. Whilst at junior level, James competed against seniors at the 2024 Northern European Championships in Dublin, achieving 10th All-Around and qualifying for the Pommel Horse final, with James receiving a Silver medal when Ireland finished 2nd in the Team event, and for his training, he attends Phoenix Gymnastics. Later this month, James will be competing at the 2026 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, which will also see James’s brother Matthew and sister Roisin compete for Ireland in the junior competition. Answering our questions, James talked to us about his success at the World Cups this year, making his full senior international debut at the 2025 Paris World Challenge Cup, retaining his All-Around title at this year’s National Series National Championships and his upcoming competitions for Ireland.
This year, you have already competed at the Baku, Antalya, Cairo and Osijek World Cups, what do you enjoy about competing at World Cups and how was it qualifying for the 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands in October for Team Ireland after your results at the World Cups?
Competing on the World Cup circuit for the first time this year was something I genuinely loved. Each event has its own atmosphere and challenges, and being able to test myself against some of the best gymnasts in the world was incredibly motivating. What stood out most was simply being in the training gym alongside athletes I’ve admired for years – Olympic champions, medallists, and World medallists warming up right beside you. It’s surreal, but it also makes the dream feel closer.
My goal is to stand in a line with the top eight gymnasts in the world and be a true contender for medals, not just someone filling a spot in a final. Sharing the gym with those established athletes made me feel like I’m moving in the right direction.
The World Cups in Baku, Antalya, Cairo and Osijek were especially important because I went into them with clear goals, and delivering under pressure to secure qualification for the 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam is something I’m incredibly proud of. Qualifying through the World Cups demands consistency, composure, and adaptability – different halls, different equipment and different environments – and knowing that my performances earned me the chance to represent Ireland on the world stage means a great deal.
I’ve wanted that opportunity ever since I realised it was possible. Now I’m excited to build on this momentum and prepare to compete for Team Ireland in October. Not forgetting I have my first All-Around senior European Championships this month along the way. Sometimes I have to pinch myself, and sometimes it all just feels natural and process of the life I have dreamt of from a young age.
What was it like competing in the Pommel Horse finals at Antalya and Osijek, and how did you feel standing on the podium to receive your first World Cup medal when you won Bronze in Antalya?
Competing in the Pommel Horse finals at Antalya and Osijek was a major step forward for me, and I drew heavily on the experience I gained at my first World Cup in Paris last year. The packed Bercy Arena, the energy of the crowd and the whole French razzmatazz taught me how to handle a big stage, so stepping into finals again this season felt like a natural progression – but still incredibly exciting.
Both finals (Antalya and Osijek) came with real pressure. I had to wait right until the last group to see if anyone would push me out of the top-eight spot, and that anticipation is something you feel physically. I spent the whole day watching routines, hoping my performance would hold. When it was finally confirmed, I could feel the pressure release from my chest – a moment where all the preparation, travel, and training felt justified.
Before each final, I had this buzzing feeling in my chest, the kind of excitement that comes when you know you’re exactly where you’ve been aiming to be.
Finals at World Cups have a different energy: the field is smaller, the standard is higher, and every routine carries real weight. Being out there alongside world-class specialists pushed me to stay composed and trust my preparation. It’s the kind of pressure I’ve always wanted because it shows exactly where you stand and what you need to improve.
Standing on the podium in Antalya to receive my first World Cup medal – winning Bronze – was unforgettable. It felt surreal, not just because it was my first medal, but because of the journey it took to get there. I’ve looked up to the gymnasts who usually occupy those podium spots for years, so to finally stand among them was incredibly motivating.
It gave me a sense of belonging at that level and reinforced that I’m moving in the right direction. Moments like that make all the hard work worthwhile and fuel the belief that I can keep pushing towards even bigger goals.
You made your full senior international debut at the Paris World Challenge Cup in September, where you qualified for the Pommel Horse final; how did you find the experience at this competition?
The Paris World Challenge Cup was an incredible experience and one I’ll always remember. Walking into the packed Bercy Arena felt almost like stepping onto a football pitch – a really loud crowd, a massive atmosphere and a level of noise I’d never experienced in gymnastics before.
I can still picture myself marching out and being so distracted by the size of the audience that I actually tripped on a wire. It was overwhelming in the best possible way. But when I stepped up to the pommel, a sense of calm washed over me. I’d done the routine countless times in training and visualised it hundreds more, so in that moment everything narrowed down to just me and the apparatus.
That competition taught me how to handle a truly big stage and trust my preparation, even when the environment feels huge.
Qualifying for the Pommel Horse final in Paris gave me a massive boost of confidence. It showed me I could hold my own at senior level. Paris made me feel like I belonged on the senior international stage – not just as a competitor, but as someone capable of pushing for finals and performing under pressure.
Can you tell us about your success at the 2026 National Series National Championships, retaining your All-Around title after become the youngest ever senior All-Around champion last year?
The 2026 National Series National Championships were a really special moment in my career. Becoming the youngest ever senior All-Around champion last year – and now winning the title for the second time – is something I’m incredibly proud of.
This year’s competition was my first all-around event of the season, and with it being a trial for Europeans, I knew I needed to hit my target scores and prove I was ready for selection.
My main goals were to hit a PB in the All-Around and on Pommel, and I delivered, recording my highest scores of this cycle. That consistency across all six apparatus is what an All-Around title represents, and it’s something I’ve worked hard to build.
Adding Gold on Pommel Horse, Silver on Horizontal Bar and Bronze on Rings made the weekend even more meaningful. Pommel has always been my strongest event, so getting a PB there felt like confirmation that the progress I’ve made internationally is showing at home too. The medals on High Bar and Rings showed that I’m developing into a more complete gymnast.
Standing on those podiums throughout the Championships gave me a huge sense of pride and momentum. I’m heading into the Europeans in a few weeks feeling confident, motivated and ready to keep learning and developing.
Whilst still a junior, you competed against senior gymnasts at the 2024 Northern European Championships in Dublin; what was it like finishing 10th All-Around, qualifying for the Pommel Horse final and winning Silver with your Irish teammates?
Having the Northern European Championships in my hometown of Dublin was a brilliant experience. Gymnastics Ireland organised it incredibly well and created an environment where everyone could perform at their best. Competing as a junior against senior gymnasts for the first time was a big step, and finishing 10th All-Around – with the best results on the Irish team – gave me huge satisfaction. It showed me that I could hold my own at senior level while still progressing as an individual.
Winning Silver as a team was the perfect outcome for us. Ireland has never been known as one of the strongest nations in men’s artistic gymnastics, so standing on that podium together felt really special. It proved that when we put our heads down and work hard, we can be competitive. Sharing that moment with my teammates was incredibly special.
The home crowd made the whole competition feel different from Junior Europeans earlier in the year. They were so engaged, loud and genuinely invested in the sport. Seeing that level of support in Ireland for something I love so much was amazing, and it gave all of us a lift throughout the weekend.
Qualifying for the Pommel Horse final was another highlight. The final didn’t go the way I wanted, but I honestly think I learned more from that one routine than I had in the years before. It taught me how to compete under pressure, how to reset quickly, and how to carry lessons forward. That experience played a big role in shaping where I am now.
How was your time competing at the 2024 Junior European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rimini, and how was it preparing for the Pommel Horse final?
Competing at the 2024 Junior European Championships in Rimini was a brilliant experience for me. With the juniors and seniors running in parallel, I got to see the gymnasts I usually only watch on TV up close. One of the best parts of the whole week was being in the training gym alongside world-class athletes like Rhys (McClenaghan) and others I’ve looked up to for years. That environment made the competition feel even more special, and I think Rimini has been my favourite event so far.
The competition itself was intense. After I finished, I sat in the stands with my parents and my coach, Wayne Healy, waiting for the scores to come in. None of us could speak – we just watched gymnast after gymnast complete their routines, hoping the numbers would fall my way. I’ll always remember the pure joy we felt when the results were final and I’d qualified for the Pommel Horse final. It was a moment of relief, pride and excitement all rolled into one.
Preparing for the final brought a completely different kind of pressure. Finals at Europeans have a unique energy, and I knew I needed to stay composed and trust my routine. In the days leading up to it, I spent a lot of time visualising every part of the routine and reminding myself that I’d hit it cleanly countless times in training. That helped me stay calm when I stepped up to the apparatus.
Rimini was a turning point – it showed me what the top level of junior gymnastics looks like and gave me the belief that I could push towards senior finals in the years ahead.
What was it like being selected to represent Ireland at the 2023 European Youth Olympic Festival in Maribor, and what are some of your stand-out memories from EYOF as your first major international gymnastics competition?
Being selected to represent Ireland at EYOF was a huge achievement for me. It was my first major international representing Ireland, so I was really excited to compete at this event. It had been a dream of mine for a few years once I heard about it.
As it is a multi-sport event, I got to meet people from all sports and realised that, while our lives are very different, we all had the same passion for our sports. Some of my favourite memories from the event were going to and from the venue on the bus and getting to chat and laugh with the other athletes.
Also, the energy and excitement at the opening and closing ceremonies was amazing. I enjoyed the atmosphere around the competition, as everyone was competing at different times. Having the other Irish athletes come out and support one another was such a great thing to see. Being able to support and watch each other felt like we were almost competing in each other’s events, and it was a really cool feeling.
Do you have a favourite aspect of being a gymnast, and how has it been transitioning to senior level?
My favourite part of gymnastics is the almost endless ways you can construct routines. I have spent hours coming up with routines I wish to compete in the future, and even more time on routines I will compete at each competition before I get to the last routine. With the wide range of skills to pick from and the freedom to put them in any order, I can make the routine that suits me best.
Moving from junior to senior has honestly been such an exciting step for me. It’s a whole different world, and I’ve loved getting the chance to test myself at that level. I’ve already competed at five World Cups, and being out there alongside Olympic, World, and European medallists has been surreal.
It’s pushed me, motivated me and shown me exactly where I want to be as I keep growing in the senior ranks.
How did you originally get into artistic gymnastics, and did you always know you wanted to do it competitively?
When I was younger, I tried almost every sport I could. Between GAA, hurling, rugby, athletics and football, I was participating in sport six days a week from when I was 5. We discovered my first club when I was seven, and I wanted to try it out as it looked fun. At first, it was for an hour a week.
After a short time, I was asked to come for an extra session to join a development group. Then my hours increased again, and at some point, I was training five to six days a week in gymnastics by the time I was nine. I made the National Squad when I was nine for the first time, and I was really excited.
I can remember watching Kieran Behan competing at the Rio Olympics in 2016. This was the first time I had seen someone competing internationally under the Irish flag, and all I can remember is, “I want to be like that someday”. To be competing at an Olympic Games would be a dream come true for me.
What is it like training at Phoenix Gymnastics and can you tell us about your typical training day?
Training at my club, Phoenix Gymnastics, is always a pleasure. Everybody is made to feel welcome, and there is a real energy to the place. The culture there is all about developing the person as well as your skills. It’s a very positive learning environment. There is a great community atmosphere where people are encouraged to support each other.
I think it must be the fun, progressive and welcoming environment that is attracting so many young kids into the sport, and it is really great to see. The coaches are passionate and knowledgeable, and you really feel they love what they do.
For my typical training day, I will arrive a few minutes early so I can roll out and get into the right headspace to have a productive session and get the most of it. I generally have a standard warm-up and I spend roughly 40 minutes on warm-up to ensure my body is feeling good and ready for the session ahead of me.
Then I will work through four to five pieces, really focusing on improving minor things each day to give myself the best chance when I go to competition. Then I will do some strength work for rings and stretching to cool down before heading home for the day.
We understand your younger siblings also compete for Ireland as gymnasts, what is it like having them involved with the same sport as you?
Having my younger brother Matthew and my sister Roisin competing for Ireland is truly amazing. Matthew and I train together, so we have each other to bounce ideas off, and we can challenge each other to mini competitions to keep training more interesting.
Roisin also trains in the National Centre a couple of days a week, and it’s really great to see her progressing. I know it’s something unique and very special to be able to share our journeys in this sport together. Having a brother and sister who can relate and understand you like this is something I don’t take for granted.
It is really something else for the three of us that we have all been selected for Europeans in a few weeks’ time. I’m not sure how often three siblings have ever competed at the same Euros. We are all really looking forward to competing, and it has been great having all of us working towards the same goals.
Were there any gymnasts that inspired you when growing up and do you have any favourites to watch compete now?
Watching Kieran Behan at the 2016 Rio Olympics was a huge inspiration to me. My first coach Flavius Koczi inspired me the most. He was a Romanian Olympic finalist in 2008 and 2012, multiple-time European medallist and a World medallist.
He taught me to work hard in the gym and that it was not going to be easy to achieve my goals, but if I worked hard enough for it, I would someday get there.
My favourite competitor to watch at the minute would be Jesse Moore from Australia. He is just such a well-rounded all-arounder, with such smart routines that appear to be working very well for him.
Are there any other sports you enjoy watching, and how do you like to spend your free time?
I enjoy watching mountain biking. The speeds they get up to while hurtling down the side of the mountain is crazy. I participate in mountain biking at a very recreational level with one of my friends when I am not competing.
I love being out in the fresh air and how peaceful it is when you can only hear wind rushing past your ears as you ride down the trails. Some of my best memories are when I was up the mountain with 10 or so of my friends, just having the best time exploring the mountains and catching up after not seeing each other in a while.
What are you looking forward to most for competing at your first World Championships later this year, and do you have any other competitions that you are targeting?
Qualifying for my first World Championships is such a relief. I am looking forward to competing at the highest level. Having already qualified for Pommel gives me the confidence to aim to qualify All-Around through Europeans later this month.
The plan is to use these two competitions to gain experience and see how I rank all-around. While I enjoy competing in pommel, I believe the All-Around is the best way for me to qualify for the LA Olympics.
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