Recently, Ethan Cunningham competed at the Scottish National Trampoline & DMT Gymnastics Championships, with his success including winning the senior men’s title and becoming the overall men’s DMT champion. Next up for Ethan is the 2026 Trampoline, Tumbling & DMT World Championships in Nanjing, China from Wednesday 4th to Monday 9th November, where Ethan is in the British team alongside Omo Aikeremiokha, Lewis Gosling and Toby Williams, and he made his senior World Championships debut last year in Pamplona. At the 2026 European Trampoline Championships in Portimão, Ethan won his first international major medal when, alongside Omo, Lewis and Toby, he won Silver in the Men’s Double Mini Trampoline Team event. We chatted to Ethan about his success at the recent Scottish National Trampoline & DMT Gymnastics Championships (including becoming the overall men’s DMT champion), being on the British team for the upcoming World Championships in China and his first international major medal.

At the recent Scottish National Trampoline & DMT Gymnastics Championships, you won the senior men’s title and became the overall men’s DMT champion; can you tell us about your success at this competition?

It was a great competition, and it was lovely to win the title after a few years without. As a proud Scottish man, it was really meaningful to win my home nation’s National Championships. This competition in the past hasn’t always been easy, so coming away with four titles was incredible and a great motivation towards British Championships and the World Championships.

In November, you will be part of the British team heading to the 2026 Trampoline, Tumbling & DMT World Championships in Nanjing, China alongside Omo Aikeremiokha, Lewis Gosling and Toby Williams; what are you looking forward to for competing at your second senior World Championships, and how differently are you approaching these Championships to your first in Pamplona last year?

I’m very excited to get out there with the boys to represent my country. It always brings me great pride to wear the flag at an international competition. This will be my first major Championships outside of Europe, so it’s a massive step up, however, I’m very ready to take on new adventures.

My approach this lead-up to the Championships has been very relaxed, focusing on execution and consistency to improve on last year’s results. My coach Debi McPhee and I have put countless hours into this year’s preparations, so I’m very excited to see how it results!

What was the experience like making your senior World Championships debut in 2025, and what did you learn from your time competing in Spain?

It was a buzz I couldn’t describe. A dream of competing as a senior on the world stage was finally coming true after so many challenges in my path.

I think, coming away from Pamplona, I wanted to take a bit of time to work on my personal challenges mentally and building confidence going into major Championships. I think this year along has helped me develop a different mindset and motivation!

How did you feel being selected for both the 2025 and 2026 World Championships – after being a reserve in 2023 – and what do you enjoy most about representing Great Britain around the world?

It feels like the puzzle pieces are now falling into place and my journey is taking off. I think competing for your country is an achievement so little of the population will experience, so I’m really grateful for the opportunities I have been given within my sport and for the people I have shared them with!!

What was it like competing at the 2026 European Trampoline Championships in Portimão with Omo, Lewis and Toby, and how was it standing on the podium to collect your first international major medal when the British team won Silver in the Men’s Double Mini Trampoline Team event?

The experience was like no other I have experienced. We knew as a team what we were capable of, and it was just execution of the routines that would get us there, and we smashed it.

We are such a close group of individuals, and we came together so well. It felt like winning a medal with your brothers!!

What are some of your favourite memories from the 2024 European Championships, which marked your first senior international competition?

My favourite memory from this competition was meeting and becoming close with some of the greatest people I would compete with for years to come.

An honourable mention from then was Molly McKenna – both experiencing our first senior Europeans together to becoming training partners back home has definitely been a highlight.

I think that competition became a major turning point in my career, where I felt a part of a team and that I belonged there. So, thank you, team xx

For the past two years, you have also competed at the Coimbra World Cup; how has it been competing there twice?

Coimbra has been one of my competitions to date. Making my first senior international world final and creating unforgettable memories on both of those years.

It was lovely to return to the competition this year slightly more experienced than the last, despite the disappointing result. The competition is inspiring to watch, and allows for me to watch my best friends succeed in such high-calibre fields!!

How did you get into double mini trampoline, and were there any sports other than gymnastics that you originally wanted to do?

I originally started as a national-level hurdler for Scotland. However, with my luck, a few broken bones and a mum that wanted me to survive into my teens, I was put into gymnastics.

I began on an advanced recreational class, which then turned into a competitive tumbling group. Through the years of tumbling, my love for double mini trampoline and its exciting profile grew stronger, and it soon became my obsession.

What do you find the most rewarding, and the most challenging, aspect of having a career as an elite gymnast?

It’s an honour to be presented as such a high-level athlete. Seeing the joy my sport can bring to so many people, alongside me, my family and my personal coach, is a feeling that cannot be replaced for all the money in the world!!!

On the flip side of this, my life has become very hectic and busy. Trying to balance work life as a coach for my club, being a full-time university student in my final year and looking for a long-term secure job, training, strength and conditioning, and having a social life for my friends and family has been very tough.

However, these are sacrifices that are unfortunately made through being an elite athlete. I love my silly little life, and my family, friends and support system make it that little bit easier.

Have you been given any advice over your career so far that has stuck with you, and why would you encourage children to start double mini trampoline?

The two main pieces of advice I have been given are:

‘A path has been built for you. It may have bumps, cliffs and oceans in the way, but you just have to get by the obstacles to reach your dreams and goals.’

And:

‘No matter how serious or difficult it gets, always remember you are where little you dreamed of being.’

I would encourage anyone of any age, or stage or ability, to get involved in double mini trampoline. Our sport is growing rapidly because of how exciting it can get at any level. You get to jump high, flip about and travel to places you didn’t know existed!

Can you tell us about your typical training day and how much has it changed over the years?

The older I have gotten, the slower my day of training is. Typically, I’ll do s&c during the day where time allows during university, then coach and train at nighttime.

My load has decreased as the time has gone on, however, an increase in intensity and volume has been implemented, and has shown great improvements.

Do you have any current favourite gymnasts or athletes to watch compete, and were there any that inspired you when starting out?

Currently, my teammates are the ones to watch in my eyes. I have always looked up to them for guidance and reassurance, and they always deliver in that regard.

I think, for gymnastics, Daiki Hashimoto from Japan’s men’s artistic squad has always influenced my style of gymnastics. Austin Nacey, a pioneer in men’s DMT, has also been a great influence in the beginnings of my career.

How do you like to spend your time away from training?

I tend to spend my time with my family and friends, whether that be playing padel, going for adventures or even taking day trips to cities. They are always so supportive with my time constraints and even work around my schedule to a degree.

I love music, so going to concerts and festivals with my friends is always a highlight of my year. Celebrating birthdays and holidays with my family when training and competitions allow is also a great way to relax!

Apart from the Trampoline, Tumbling & DMT World Championships in November, do you have any upcoming competitions that you can tell us about or that you are targeting?

After the World Championships, providing GBR gain a European Games spot, I would love to potentially work towards or even qualify myself for that spot, as it is a massive goal for me.

As it’s the first time DMT is running in the event, it would be very special to me if I were to be selected.

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