Trampolinists eyeing medals at World Championships

Two athletes from the University of Stirling are hoping to bounce their way into medal contention at the Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships next week.

Molly McKenna and Ethan Cunningham – specialists in the Double Mini Trampoline (DMT) – are set to compete in both individual and team events in Pamplona, northern Spain. It is the second World Championships for first-year Molly – who won back-to-back senior British DMT titles in 2024 and 2025 – and the first for third-year Ethan.

Molly, 19, from Randalstown in County Antrim, is just weeks into her time at the University of Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – after joining as a sports scholar in September. Reacting to her selection for the Worlds, the BA Sport Business Management student said: “I’m so proud. I’ve worked really hard this year, and came back from an injury – I’m so happy that I’ve got the result that I wanted.

“The support here at Stirling has been something else – I absolutely love it. I feel so proud to be part of such an esteemed university for sport – the facilities are amazing.”

At the last edition of the Worlds, in Birmingham in 2023, Molly placed fifth in the individual senior DMT event and won gold in the women’s team event with Great Britain. Eagerly anticipating her latest foray onto the world stage, she said: “I would absolutely love to make another individual final and win another team medal – that’s what we’re aiming for.”

Excited

Ethan, from Cumbernauld, has enjoyed a successful year to date – placing fifth individually at the World Cup in July. Looking ahead to his first senior World Championships, the BSc Sport and Exercise Science student said: “I’d love to compete in the team final, potentially even win a medal – and I’d love to make an individual semi-final.”

The 20-year-old believes his time as a sports scholar at Stirling has given him the best opportunity to succeed on the international stage. He said: “After my World Cup performance, I feel quite excited and confident.

“My time at Stirling has been great – this is obviously one of the best sporting universities. The planned strength and conditioning programmes, and everything we’re given, has been really helpful and has made a difference in my performance, my confidence and I’ve progressed a lot faster than I thought I would.”

As sports scholars, both Ethan and Molly receive wide ranging support from the University as they balance their sporting ambitions with their academic studies. They are also both members of JUMP Gymnastics Club in Cumbernauld.