Olympic gold medallist Rhys McClenaghan will return to competitive action at the Baku Artistic Gymnastics World Cup later this week.
The Co Down man, who won pommel horse gold at the 2024 Paris Games, has been out of action since claiming Ireland's first ever Olympics gymnastics medal.
Initially, the 26-year-old had hoped to compete in 2025 but was forced to have shoulder surgery in July last year.
"I'm delighted that everything went to plan with the operation and I can make my way back to maintaining my spot as the best in the world at what I do," he said.
"This is the reality of sport, and I love all of the challenges it throws my way."
McClenaghan, a double World and triple European champion, will take on the apparatus in Baku, Azerbaijan first and in Antalya, Turkey the week after.
He added: "I’m really happy to have my first competition coming up.
"The last time I competed was at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where everything came together and I won gold, so this feels like the start of a new chapter after a challenging year with injury and shoulder surgery.
"This competition is about finding my rhythm again, testing the new pommel horse routine, and then using the World Cup series to keep building momentum.
"It’s about getting back into competition mode and continuing to improve with each outing."
2025 Youth Olympics double medallist Chester Enriquez (above) will compete on floor, in his first World Cup event, while Oisin O’Connell will compete on high bar.
Also making their 2026 return to international competition is Eamon Montgomery, who will compete on floor; Daniel Fox is on rings and James Hickey on pommel horse.
Competition Schedule - Baku
5 March - Qualifications Day 1 - Men's Floor & Rings
6 March - Qualifications Day 2 - Men's High Bar & Pommel Horse
7 March - Apparatus Final Day 1 - Men's Floor & Rings
8 March - Apparatus Final Day 2 - Men's High Bar & Pommel Horse
Competition Schedule - Antalya
12-13 March - Qualifications - Men's Artistic
14-15 March - Apparatus Finals - Men's Artistic
