BRNO, Czech Republic - Five Cardinal gymnasts competed overseas at the 2025 Sokol Grand Prix over the weekend, highlighted by a podium finish in the mixed pairs event.
The event consisted of 11 teams. Eight pairs advanced to the second round after two events, before four teams competed for podium spots in the final round.
David Shamah earned the gold medal alongside Czechia's Vanesa Masova, as the Cardinal junior scored a 13.600 on parallel bars in the finals. Shamah and Masova also posted the top semifinal scores, with Shamah turning in a 12.750 on pommel horse. The McKinney, Texas native posted a 12.600 high bar routine and 13.650 parallel bars score in the qualification round.
Cooper Kim scored a 12.600 on vault and a 13.650 on high bar in qualifications, scoring the top prelim score alongside Sona Artamonova (CZE). Kim added a 13.200 floor routine in the semifinals, before delivering a 13.475 vault in the finals to claim the silver medal.
Junior Kiran Mandava and his partner Ema Strakosova secured third place in the event, with Mandava recording a 13.550 pommel horse routine to clinch the pair’s podium finish. Mandava added a 13.450 semifinal score on parallel bars, as well as qualification routines on high bar (13.100) and pommel horse (11.500).
Competing alongside Alice Vlkova, Zach Green reached the semifinals after a qualification performance that included a 13.250 on floor and 13.650 on high bar. Green added a 12.700 parallel bars routine in the semifinal round, ultimately placing fifth overall.
Joining him in the semifinals was Marcus Pietarinen, who finished eighth with Slovakia's Sara Surmanova. Pietarinen scored 12.800 (still rings) and 13.100 (pommel horse) routines in qualifications, before a 13.050 effort on floor exercise in the semis.
The meet served as the first senior international competition for Green, Kim, and Shamah. The gymnasts will now return home to gear up for the collegiate slate, which begins January 9 at the Cal Benefit Cup.