The Uzbekistan gymnast secured a place in the vault final at the 2026 Asian Games on Tuesday, Sept. 22, finishing fourth in qualifying with a score of 13.266.
After her performance, Chusovitina told reporters that she hopes to compete at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
"I will try to qualify for 2028," she said, according to Olympics.com. She added that if her body allows her to continue competing, she will make an attempt to earn a place at LA28.
Chusovitina also appeared to joke with reporters following the competition, asking, "What, you don't want to see me anymore?"
The veteran gymnast has shown little interest in setting a retirement date. Instead, she says she wants to continue competing while she is still capable of enjoying the sport.
"As long as I'm enjoying it, as long as I can do it, why do I need to stop?" she said.
Chusovitina added that she feels good and enjoys performing in front of enthusiastic crowds. Rather than measuring herself against other competitors, she said she is focused on appreciating the experience.
"I'm not competing with anyone. I'm just enjoying the process," she said.
Her outlook reflects a career that has already spanned more than three decades. Chusovitina competed at her first Olympics in 1992, representing the Unified Team following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. She helped the team win gold in the women's team event.
She later represented Uzbekistan and Germany during her long international career. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she won a silver medal in the vault competition while representing Germany.
Her longevity has made her one of the most recognizable figures in gymnastics. In 2016, she competed at the Rio Olympics and became the first female gymnast to appear at seven Olympic Games.
Now, she is attempting to extend that record even further. If she qualifies for Los Angeles in 2028, Chusovitina would compete at her ninth Olympics, adding another remarkable chapter to her career.
For Chusovitina, however, the motivation appears to be less about records and more about enjoying gymnastics. She said she has found greater excitement and positive feelings in the sport in recent years, making competition something she continues to embrace rather than endure.
