NEW — A rising gymnast who hoped to represent his homeland in the Olympics tragically died Thursday after suffering a severe injury during a training accident in Russia.

The Indonesian Gymnastics Federation confirmed the death of 19-year-old Naufal Takdir Al Bari, which occurred following a 12-day stay in intensive care.

“The Indonesian Gymnastics Federation is in mourning. Male athlete Naufal Takdir Al Bari has passed away,” the organization wrote on Instagram. “The 19-year-old gymnast breathed his last after undergoing intensive care for 12 days at GA Zakharyin Hospital.”

Al Bari reportedly sustained a serious neck injury after he fell into a foam pit while training on the high bar, according to a social media post from the Russian Gymnastics Federation.

The young athlete was aiming to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. However, leading up to the Summer Games, Al Bari had his sights set on this year’s Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, which are scheduled to take place in Indonesia this October.

In a statement, Indonesian Gymnastics chairperson Ita Yuliati described Al Bari as “a talented young athlete, and a good figure.” She added, “Indonesian Gymnastics has lost the nation’s best. This is a deep blow and sorrow for us. May the family be given strength.”

An investigation into Al Bari’s death concluded that he was ill-prepared for the training session.

“We conducted the necessary investigation, and all the circumstances surrounding the injury have been established. Unfortunately, the athlete was not prepared to perform such a complex element,” said Vasily Titov, Vice President of the Russian Gymnastics Federation, in a Telegram post translated from Russian.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/olympic-hopeful-gymnast-dies-following-tragic-training-accident