Our next 20 Questions Athlete is 1st time JO National Qualifier Amelia Knotts of Gymnastics Training Center of Rochester (GTC) in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Amelia, who is in her first year of Level 10 and her first season with GTC, has been a strong talent in the last few years as a level 9. She was always a pleasure to watch on the competition floor. Amelia through some big skills and had all the makings of a talented gymnast. Being from Michigan I have seen this athlete grow up and it has been wonderful to watch her progress, I was thrilled to see her qualify for her 1st JO Nationals this past year and definitely can see big things coming with this incredible young athlete. With summer coming to a very quick end, lets get to know this incredible athlete who was just named The GTC Athlete of the Year, as she gets ready for her 2nd season of level 10 and another run at the JO National Championships.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I was 3 when my mom decided to put me into gymnastics. She said that I always had a LOT of energy
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is vault
Favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skill to compete is a double back on floor. My favorite skill to train is a yurchenko double
Dream Skill? My dream skill is a shaposh to bail on bars
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? I love being apart of a team and cheering as loud as I can at meets and during practice
What college do you plan on attending? I am undecided on where I would like to attend college
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is Gymnastics on the Grand because Jake Dalton is there
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics was making level 10 JO Nationals this past year and placing on vault
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? I admire my teammate Lauren Holt, she is my teammate at GTC
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite Region 5 Series or Feature is the “OMG Blooper” series
What is your go to playlist or song before meets? Before a meet I always listen to something country
3 Things you could not live without? 3 Things I cannot live without are my family, my phone, and pizza
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? If I could be any animal I would be a turtle because they basically just eat, swim, and lay in the sun all day
5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? The 5 most important things in my gym bag are my grips, wrist guards, tape, pre wrap, and fruit snacks
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? A superstition I have is that I must have my turtle keychain in my bag that my friend gave me
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of Gymnastics I like baking, going swimming, and hanging out with my friends and family
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? One of my most emabarressing gymnastics moments was then I once I split the beam on a leap when I was competing
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I weren’t a gymnast I would try track
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect wounded warrior athletes the most because they have lost limbs fighting for our country and still persevere through everyday challenges to play sports and to do what they love.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? At meets my coach always tells me “nothing but your words”
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I am adopted from China but, I don’t like Chinese food
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