Our Next 20 Questions Athlete is 1st time JO National Qualifier Sydney Hayashi of Buckeye in Ohio. This past season was Sydney’s 4th year as a level 10. She won balance beam at the 2019 Region 5 Championships to help her snagged the 7th spot on the Senior C Dream Team. What I love most about Sydney and her gymnastics is how she works the Balance Beam with confidence, moving along the apparatus with sharp and precise movements, its like watching poetry in motion. Sydney, who is entering her senior in high school is still undecided on her college plans, but I am sure she will excel on any college team. Let’s get to know Sydney a little better as we head into the height of the summer season as Syd prepares for her final JO & Region 5 Season.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? started taking classes when I was 18 months old and I loved to stand by the wall and watch the older girls from across the gym. The moment I stopped and watched them I knew I wanted to be like them when I was older.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event has to be bars. Although it can be challenging, I love learning new skills and pushing myself to be better.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skill to compete would have to be my kickover on beam. I love the way it looks and the feeling you get when you stick it
Dream Skill? My dream skill would have to be a shaposh which I am actually working on right now and will hopefully have ready by next season;)
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is being able to train with all of my really close friends as we push each other to achieve all of our goals and be the best gymnasts we can.
What college do you plan on attending? I currently do not know what college I will be attending, but I will be making that decision very soon.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at would have to be the Buckeye Classic. It is our home meet therefore all of our friends and families like to come out and support us. We also have a blast because we all get to compete at the same time and cheer everyone on.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics would have to be making it to nationals as it has always been a goal of mine.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite Region 5 Insider Feature would have to be the 20 questions because I like learning about everyone from our region.
What is your go to playlist or song before meets? I like to listen to very upbeat songs before meets to kind of get me moving and in a good mood.
3 Things you could not live without? Three things I could not live without would have to be food, chapstick, and a sweatshirt.
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? If I could be any animal, I would be a cheetah because I personally am not the fastest moving person therefore I would like to see what it’s like to be able to run fast.
5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? My must have items in my gym bag would have to be grips, wrist guards, tape, hair ties, and lotion.
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? This is not really a pre-meet ritual but I always eat a pack of gatorade chews in the middle of the meet.
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of gymnastics I love hanging out with my friends and spending time with my family.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? My most embarrassing meet moment would have to be the time I forgot my floor routine and instead of making something up, I stood in the middle of the floor and did nothing.
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I weren’t a gymnastics I would either do diving or soccer. I did both when I was younger and really enjoyed it but gymnastics was always my favorite.
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I honestly respect all athletes given the fact that they devote so much time and effort to one thing. Every sport is difficult and unique in some way which is why not everyone does it.
Something you learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you?Something I have learned from gymnastics that I will take with me would have to be the hard work and dedication. Gymnastics is not an easy sport and it has its ups and downs but you have to learn to push through the bad days which I believe is a very important life lesson that will always be valuable.
Most Memorable Gymnastics or JO Nationals Moment? My most memorable gymnastics moment would have to be when I qualified for nationals this past year. I was having a rough meet and was a little disappointed that my season was going to be over so soon, but i decided to make the best of it and finish strong. I got up and hit my beam routine and ended up not only winning beam but also qualifying to nationals.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? The most valuable piece of advice a coach has given me would have to be anything is possible. There is always a possibility that you will make a skill, win an event, or get a high score. If you are willing to put in the effort, you will see start seeing results.
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. My youngest sister was born on my 6th birthday.
