Nemour takes early lead at Rotterdam gymnastics worlds

Algerian gymnast Kaylia Nemour took the provisional lead in the individual all-around at the world championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands, after qualifying on 19 October.

The championships run from 17 to 25 October. Her total of 55.999 points put her ahead of Skye Blakely of the United States (55.465), Elena Colas of France (55.032) and Claire Pease, also of the United States (54.432).

TSA reported that Nemour took first place on the uneven bars in qualifying, with 14.933 points. The uneven bars are her favourite apparatus.

On the beam she scored 14.133 points, and on the vault 14.033 points. Her floor score was 12.900 points.

Speaking to the French sports daily L'Équipe, as TSA reported, Nemour said she was "very satisfied" with her result.

"I made a few small mistakes, but I think I had to make them now so that I can focus on them at the end of the week," she said.

She said she was very honoured and proud to take part in the historic competition for Algeria. It is the first time Algeria has been represented at the world championships with a team.

"It was really cool to share that with the girls. I was quite nervous, but having them there helped me lean on the reference points we built up in several competitions together," she said.

Nemour is aged 19. She won Algeria's first Olympic gold medal in gymnastics at the Paris 2024 Games and was world champion in Jakarta in October 2025.

She is preparing for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, aiming to keep her uneven bars title and win on other apparatus, TSA reported.