Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) national gymnast, Ng Chun Chen, marked a remarkable comeback following a difficult period after his fall last year, winning Gold at the FIG World Challenge Cup 2026 in Varna, Bulgaria, with an impressive performance in the men’s vault final.

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Practice makes perfect had long been more than just a saying for Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) National Gymnast, Ng Chun Chen.

Through perseverance, discipline, and unwavering determination, the 24-year-old gymnast achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the Gold medal at the FIG World Challenge Cup 2026 held in Varna, Bulgaria.

The Penang-born athlete delivered an outstanding and composed performance in the men’s vault final, topping the podium with 14.233 points ahead of Bulgaria’s Daniel Trifonov, who scored 14.000 points, and Hungary’s Botond Molnar, who finished with 13.833 points. 

Fellow Malaysian gymnast Mohd Sharul Aimy placed eighth with 12.666 points.

The victory marked a deeply emotional comeback for Chun Chen, who had endured a difficult journey following a traumatic fall during the World Cup in Antalya, Türkiye, in February last year. 

During the event, he had slipped during his routine, landed heavily on his back, and failed to register a score — an incident that significantly affected both his confidence and mental resilience.

Reflecting on his victory, Chun Chen admitted he was overwhelmed with emotion.

“I was still in shock. This was my first tournament of the year and winning gold felt unbelievable,” he said. 

“When the score appeared, I could hardly believe it. I felt emotional because everything happened so quickly, and I was proud to compete alongside such strong gymnasts.”

He also spoke candidly about the challenges he faced after the fall in Antalya.

“The last year was very difficult for me mentally and emotionally. I kept overthinking after the fall, and it became a barrier that took time to overcome. This victory means a lot because it showed me that persistence and hard work truly pay off.”

Despite qualifying second for the final, Chun Chen remained calm under pressure as the competition intensified. 

Learning from past experiences, he focused entirely on delivering clean and confident vaults rather than allowing pressure to affect his performance.

His flawless execution ultimately secured a memorable gold medal and completed an inspiring comeback story that reflected resilience, courage, and dedication at the highest level of competition.

Chun Chen also expressed gratitude to his coach, Ng Shu Liang, for believing in him and making the decision to compete in Varna despite limited preparation time.

Looking ahead, Chun Chen shared that the team’s attention had now shifted towards the upcoming Asian Championships in China, with overseas training plans already underway.

“Our main goals remain the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. I want to continue building on this momentum and keep improving,” he added.