Occupation
Athlete
Spoken languages
English
Club
Twisters Gymnastics Club [Abbotsford, BC, CAN]
Coach
Richard Ikeda [club], CAN; Ken Ikeda [club], CAN
International senior debut
2012 for Canada (theprogress.com, 05 Apr 2012)
Injuries
He tore the anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] in his right knee and broke the tibia bone in his right leg in November 2015 while competing at the Arthur Gander Memorial meet in Switzerland. He underwent surgery in January 2016, which ruled him out of contention for selection for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. He returned to competition at the 2017 national championships where he claimed his first all-around senior title. (theprogress.com, 31 May 2017; intlgymnast.com, 07 Jul 2017; cbc.ca, 28 May 2017)
Start sporting career
He began the sport at age four at the Flip City Gymnastics Centre in Langley, BC, Canada. (theprogress.com, 05 Apr 2012)
Reason for taking up the sport
His pre-school teacher was impressed by his ability to do cartwheels, so she recommended that his parents get him involved in gymnastics. "I do it because I like it, and I've always liked it. It's hard work and some days are tougher than others. After a two-day competition, my hands are sore and my shoulders, legs and back are just destroyed. But I've been to so many places and met so many people through gymnastics. I wouldn't want to do anything else."
(theprogress.com, 05 Apr 2012)
Most memorable sporting achievement
Competing at the 2014 World Championships in Nanning, People's Republic of China, and winning his first all-around senior national title in 2017 after returning from injury. (gymcan.org, 19 Mar 2016; cbc.ca, 28 May 2017)
Philosophy / Motto
"A moment of pain is worth a lifetime of glory." (gymcan.org, 19 Mar 2017)
Awards
He was named 2019 Outstanding Senior Male Athlete of the Year by Gymnastics British Columbia in Canada. (Twisters Gymnastics Club Facebook page, 28 Nov 2019)
Additional information
General
RETURN FROM INJURY
He was afraid that his November 2015 injury may have ended his gymnastics career. "For a while I wasn't sure if I'd walk without a limp, much less compete again. Through a family member I was lined up with the top surgeon in British Columbia as well as a very phenomenal physiotherapist. Between the two of them I was able to fully recover." (theprogress.com, 31 May 2017; intlgymnast.com, 07 Jul 2017; cbc.ca, 28 May 2017)
Last update : 2021-10-06
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