Historic Junior Beam final for Volkoff at 2026 Europeans

Irish junior gymnast Estella Volkoff has qualified to the Beam final at the 2026 European Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, making history as the first ever junior beam finalist for Ireland, scoring 12.466!

Teammates Roisin Hickey and Lauren Kelly finished competition today with an All-Around score of 43.698 and 43.600 consecutively.

Commenting on her experience Estella Volkoff said:

“Today was a very exciting and emotional day. I was quite nervous, but I’m really happy with how everything went. I was especially delighted with my clean beam routine and making the final. Waiting for the results was nerve-wracking, but finding out I qualified was an amazing feeling! I’m very proud to have shared the experience with my teammates Roisin and Lauren.”

Volkoff’s coach, Marisa Peters added:

“I am so proud of what Estella has accomplished today at Europeans she has worked so hard for this moment and I’m just very lucky to be part of her journey”

About today’s competition, National Coach Nicole Cassidy said:

“I am so proud of Estella, she has worked so incredibly hard, to see her make a final and achieve one of her goals is amazing! Roisin and Lauren had a great competition , the team was very confident and composed . The girls cheered and supported each other throughout the whole competition.”

Gymnastics Ireland Director of Performance and Technical, Sally Johnson said:

“I want to congratulate our junior women’s team on their performance in Zagreb. It was fantastic to see the group compete with such composure and determination on the international stage. Every athlete should be proud of what they achieved this week, and credit also goes to their families, coaches and support teams for the work put in behind the scenes. We are very excited to keep building on this momentum... Great to see our first beam final for Ireland with Estella Volkoff. Well done to all! “

Gymnastics Ireland CEO, Ciaran Gallagher added:

“What a day for our juniors out in Zagreb. For all of them it was their first time stepping out at the Europeans, one of the majors in our sport. As with our seniors, Beam proved to be a particular highlight going 3 for 3 with Roisin and Lauren showing real confidence and consistency topped off by Estella’s historic qualification for the junior beam final! Congratulations to the gymnasts plus their coaches and clubs, our national performance team and of course congratulations to their families & friends who all have supported them through to what has been a superb day for our sport.“

Well done and congratulations to all junior gymnasts, coaches and judges!

Tune in on Sunday, 16th August from 8:30am - 12:30pm (Irish time) for the Junior Apparatus final where Estella Volkoff will compete at 10.40am.

Competition Results

Team Score: 132.496 – ranking 17^th

Roisin Hickey - AA 43.698

• Beam - 12.066
• Floor - 11.366
• Vault - 11.833
• Uneven Bars - 8.433

Estella Volkoff - AA 45.198

• Beam - 12.466
• Floor - 10.633
• Vault - 11.433
• Uneven Bars - 10.666

Lauren Kelly - AA 43.600

• Beam - 11.300
• Floor - 11.100
• Vault - 11.300
• Uneven Bars - 9.900

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