Nickname
Zach (Instagram profile, 01 Nov 2022)
Occupation
Athlete
Spoken languages
English
Club
Twisters Gymnastics Club: Abbotsford, BC, CAN
Coach
Richard Ikeda [club], CAN
Injuries
He sustained an ankle injury at the 2022 World Championships in Liverpool, England. (sportcom.ca, 01 Nov 2022)
In November 2015 he tore the anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] in his right knee and broke the tibia bone in his right leg 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 Canadian Championships, where he claimed his first all-around senior title. (intlgymnast.com, 07 Jul 2017; theprogress.com, 31 May 2017; cbc.ca, 28 May 2017)
Start sporting career
He took up the sport at age four at the Flip City Gymnastics Centre in Langley, BC, Canada.
Reason for taking up the sport
His pre-school teacher was impressed by his ability to do cartwheels, so she encouraged his parents to 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."
Ambitions
To compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. (bvmsports.com, 06 May 2022; hopestandard.com, 24 Jan 2022)
Philosophy / Motto
"A moment of pain is worth a lifetime of glory." (gymcan.org, 19 Mar 2017)
Awards
He was named the 2019 Outstanding Senior Male Athlete of the Year by Gymnastics British Columbia in Canada. (Twisters Gymnastics Club Facebook page, 28 Nov 2019)
Additional information
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 phenomenal physiotherapist. Between the two of them I was able to fully recover." (intlgymnast.com, 07 Jul 2017; theprogress.com, 31 May 2017; cbc.ca, 28 May 2017)
Last update : 2024-07-22
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