From 20 to 24 November 2025, the city of Manila will host the 2025 Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. the United Kingdom will be represented by two highly promising squads – both men’s and women’s – made up of rising stars already familiar to fans of the national and European circuits. The aim is clear: to confirm their potential on the global stage and bring home a first world medal.
A balanced and ambitious British line-up
British Gymnastics has unveiled a selection that reflects the depth and diversity of its junior talent pool. In the women’s team, Helena Finc (Park Wrekin), Simone Seed (Pacific Reign) and Jenitha Johnson (Heathrow) will make up the trio representing the Union Jack.
Helena Finc, the undisputed leader of her age group, has dominated the domestic scene with three consecutive national titles: Aspire champion in 2023 and 2024, then Junior champion in 2025 with a superb score of 50.300, finishing ahead of Lexi Holmes and Andrea Ndoro. A gymnast praised for her composure and execution, she has quickly established herself as one of Britain’s brightest hopes.
Simone Seed, training with the American club Pacific Reign, brings an international touch and valuable experience from competing across the Atlantic. Meanwhile, Jenitha Johnson, representing Heathrow Gymnastics Club, embodies the next wave of British gymnasts on the rise. At just 12 years old, her inclusion in the World Championships line-up reflects both her immense promise and the faith the federation has placed in her potential. This young team may be short on experience, but it is rich in talent and ambition – a combination that could surprise on the world stage.
The men’s selection is equally exciting, comprising gymnasts who have already delivered on the continental scene. Evan McPhillips (City of Manchester) will lead the trio, joined by Uzair Chowdhury and Sol Scott, both from Huntingdon Gymnastics Club.
McPhillips made headlines earlier this year at the 2025 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Osijek, North Macedonia, where he captured two gold medals – one in the team competition and another in the all-around with a total of 78.600 points. He edged out Italy’s Ivan Rigon by a tenth of a point, while his teammate Uzair Chowdhury completed the podium, taking bronze with 77.450 points.
For Chowdhury, this result only added to an already glittering record. The double 2024 Junior European Champion (team and parallel bars) has been virtually untouchable domestically. At this year’s British U16 Championships, he dominated the all-around by more than 6.5 points, while also claiming gold on rings, pommel horse, and high bar – a testament to his remarkable versatility and consistency.
Completing the line-up is Sol Scott, a 2023 European Junior Team Champion, who brings experience and stability to the squad. Together, this trio has already proven its mettle on the continental stage, contributing to Great Britain’s team gold at the 2025 Junior European Championships in Rimini. With their strong dynamic and collective chemistry, they arrive in Manila as genuine contenders for a world medal.
Two reserves have also been named: Jamie Reyner-Corbett (Park Wrekin) and Zakaine Fawzi-McCaffrey (Notts Gymnastics Academy). Their inclusion underlines the impressive depth of Britain’s next generation and the federation’s strategic foresight. Having them travel and train with the senior squad provides invaluable exposure to the pressures and rhythms of a major global competition.
This selection illustrates British Gymnastics’ clear long-term vision: developing and supporting young athletes from their earliest international experiences. Many of today’s established stars – such as Courtney Tulloch and Brinn Bevan – first made their mark at junior competitions before transitioning to the senior world stage. The federation’s structured pathway ensures that the country’s most talented gymnasts are not only identified early but nurtured through elite development programmes.
As Britain continues to rise in the global gymnastics hierarchy, this new generation represents both continuity and renewal. The upcoming years could well see these names – McPhillips, Chowdhury, Finc, and others – emerge as the future standard-bearers of British gymnastics. The long-term horizon points towards the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, where this cohort could very well come of age.
For now, however, all eyes turn to Manila, where these juniors will test themselves against the world’s best and aim to extend Britain’s growing influence in artistic gymnastics.
2025 Junior World Gymnastics Championships – Competition Schedule
- Thursday 20 November: Men’s qualifications
- Friday 21 November: Women’s qualifications
- Saturday 22 November: All-Around Finals
- Sunday 23 November: Men’s Finals (Floor, Pommel Horse, Rings) & Women’s Finals (Vault, Uneven Bars)
- Monday 24 November: Men’s Finals (Vault, Parallel Bars, High Bar) & Women’s Finals (Floor, Beam)
