In addition to featuring many young gymnasts, several senior names also took part in the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, held from October 19 to 25, 2025.

One of them was Poland’s veteran gymnast, Marta Pihan-Kulesza. Marta was the oldest female gymnast competing at this year’s world championships, at 38 years old.

Although she did not qualify for any of the WAG finals, Marta said she was happy to perform in Jakarta.

“Gymnastics still gives me a lot of happiness,” Marta said.

Her enthusiasm was visible during the official training session at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC), Senayan. Marta took on every apparatus with full spirit.

“I try to enjoy every minute in every event,” she said.

The 12-time Polish national all-around champion has competed in many tournaments and brought home numerous medals.

She appeared in two Olympic Games —Beijing 2008 and London 2012— as well as several editions of the world championships and European championships.

[Polish Gymnast Marta Pihan-Kulesza/JAGOC]

So, how long will she continue her professional career, given that she is also a mother?

Below is the LOC Media Team’s interview with Marta Pihan-Kulesza:

This is the first time Indonesia has hosted the world championships. What are your first impressions so far?

My first impression, everyone is so nice and helpful. If we don’t know something, everyone wants to help us. And the weather, the weather is so lovely, because in Poland it’s now very cold, windy, and humid.

The weather, infrastructure, and facilities —everything is great. And every gym is so colorful. It’s fun, because usually it’s always blue and beige. The colors this time are amazing. We also get water and snacks. That’s very nice, too.

Can you tell us about your preparation for this world championships? Was there any difficulty?

Even though I’ve been in gymnastics for a long time, every world championships and major event still feels a little surprising to me, because at my age it’s not easy to prepare. So I just try to enjoy every minute here —in the gym and in the arena.

You’re the oldest gymnast at this year’s world championships. How do you stay motivated and keep performing at a high level?

I didn’t even know I would be the oldest until I read about it. I think, as I said before, I try to enjoy every minute during the event and training. Gymnastics still gives me a lot of happiness. When I’m sad, I go to training. When I’m tired, I go to training, too. So yes, I think it’s because I love gymnastics —and I enjoy every minute in the gym.

Besides being a professional athlete, you’re also a mother…

Yes.

How do you balance life as a professional athlete and as a mother?

First of all, you need support, like from my husband. Because when I’m in the gym, my husband takes care of our kids. So yes, he’s my biggest supporter and always believes in me. Sometimes he believes in me even more than I believe in myself. That’s the first thing, I think.

And the second: if something still makes you happy, just try. If you can’t stop yourself, just try. At least you won’t regret not trying. So yes, if you want to try, just do it and see what happens.

After such a long professional career, will this world championships be your last international competition?

I don’t know… honestly, I don’t know. I’ve tried to end my career several times, but I always come back to gymnastics because it makes me happy. So, I don’t know. I don’t have an answer to this question.