Randalstown student Molly bounces into Trampoline World Championships

RANDALSTOWN student Molly McKenna is hoping to bounce her way into medal contention at the Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships next week.

Molly 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 Molly – who won back-to-back senior British DMT titles in 2024 and 2025 – and the first for third-year Ethan.

Molly, 19 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.”

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.

The 38th Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships – organised by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique – take place from Wednesday 5 November – Sunday 9 November at the Navarra Arena, in Pamplona. Both Molly and Ethan will compete in their respective individual events and are set to be selected for their team events too. The top athletes from each country will also compete in the all-around final on the last day of the event.

David Bond, Director of Performance Sport, said: “As Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, we support our athletes to train and compete across a whole range of sports, while pursuing academic qualifications too.

“We are excited by Molly and Ethan’s selection for the World Championships and look forward to seeing them excel on the international stage. We wish them the very best of luck.”