Winston sits down with Yanni Chronopoulos, a talented Canadian gymnast who recently contributed to his team's silver medal win at the World University Games. Yanni shares his journey into gymnastics, starting at a young age and evolving through the competitive landscape in Canada and the NCAA system at Nebraska. He discusses the challenges and rewards of being an Olympic reserve, the intense competition within NCAA gymnastics, and the camaraderie among teammates.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Early Beginnings in Gymnastics: Yanni Chronopoulos started gymnastics at the age of 10, initially as a pastime while his family worked at a nearby restaurant. By age 12, he began to take the sport more seriously, motivated by his desire to improve and compete.
Transition to NCAA Gymnastics: Yanni was introduced to the NCAA system through older teammates who had success in the U.S. He found that the structured training environment allowed him to balance academics and gymnastics effectively, fostering a competitive yet supportive atmosphere among teammates.
Experience as an Olympic Alternate: Being selected as an Olympic reserve was a bittersweet experience for Yanni. While he felt proud of his hard work, he also faced the challenge of maintaining readiness without the certainty of competing, which taught him valuable lessons about resilience and teamwork.
Competing at the World University Games: Yanni described the experience of competing at the World University Games as surreal and fulfilling. The Canadian team achieved a silver medal, which was unexpected given their limited preparation time, showcasing their capability and teamwork.
Goals for the Future: Yanni aims to increase the difficulty of his routines to secure a stronger position on the Canadian national team. He is also passionate about raising awareness for gymnastics as a sport, hoping to make it more mainstream and accessible to a wider audience.
BEST MOMENTS
"I was 10 years old when I started, but I would say I was really like 12 when I... wanted to get better at this." - Yanni Chronopoulos
"It's very competitive, but I wouldn't say it's cutthroat at all. It's everybody's understanding that you're my teammate, you're my friend, but I want that lineup spot." - Yanni Chronopoulos
"I think that people are as well... One time in four years when they watched the Olympics, they love it. And after that, for some reason, that desire to watch the sport dies out." - Yanni Chronopoulos
"It was surreal, honestly... We just competed, I guess, to the best of our abilities." - Yanni Chronopoulos
"I want people to think of me like that, where it didn't matter what level or what age they were. They could always ask for advice." - Yanni Chronopoulos
MY SOCIAL LINKS
https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/
Host Bio:
As a member of the Senior Great Britain Squad, Winston Powell brings firsthand experience to every episode. His impressive achievements include being the Under 18 English Champion in 2023 and reaching the finals in three events at the Junior World Championships the same year: the All-Around, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar finals qualifying 7th for the All-Around. With five international appearances as a GB gymnast, he has gained invaluable insights into the sport's highest levels. His passion for gymnastics, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by elite athletes, makes him the perfect guide to exploring the strategies and stories behind gymnastics success.
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/