As a halt to his successful run, Aussie gymnastics star Heath Thorpe just made a major decision that will keep him off the mats for 2026.

Following his success at the 2023 Australian All-Around Championship, the 2022 and 2023 Oceania Championships, the 25-year-old announced a break from gymnastics through an Instagram post on May 26.

“I’ve made the decision to step back from competing for the remainder of 2026… I’ve also decided to take a break from training,” he wrote. “Gymnastics is incredibly demanding… When the enjoyment is no longer there, it becomes nearly impossible to push through. And quite frankly, dangerous.”

The main reason behind this step back, as Thorpe put it, is burnout. While he mentioned having all the intentions of continuing till the rest of the year, it was necessary to take a breather and reset his routine.

“I had exceeded my capacity, both as an athlete and most importantly, as a human,” he added. “I’m excited to explore some other opportunities. While also catching up on time with loved ones after many years of chasing my sport around the world.”

However, this is only a break and not an end. As the young Olympic aspirant has mentioned, his Olympic dream lives on.

Heath Thorpe Is Still Eyeing the 2028 la Olympics

Thorpe needed to win the all-around at the Oceania Championships to make it to the 2024 Paris Games, but came down with Bronze. And while he’ll be taking the respite, the goal will remain the 2028 LA Games.

“I still have my eyes set on LA2028. I know I have more to give in these final stages of my career,” he wrote further. “And beneath the fatigue, there’s still hunger. But to achieve those final goals, I need to be rested and the best version of myself.”

This break will prepare him for a better and stronger return, when Thorpe will be able to hit the mat with a regained sense of enjoyment for his sport.

Do you think he’ll make it to LA in 2028? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy