Ask Thomas
1. When did you start Gymnastics?
I started gymnastics when I was 6 years old at the Comets Gymnastics Club at Chandler, Brisbane. The club no longer exists and I train at the QAS High Performance Centre and represent Gold Coast Gymnastics Club.
2. How many apparatus do you compete on?
I am an all around competitor and compete on all six apparatus (click on the apparatus below to read description). The six apparatus are:
- Floor Exercise
- Pommel Horse
- Rings
- Vault
- Parallel Bars
- Horizontal Bar
3. What is your favourite apparatus and why?
Floor, because I have found it least challenging and really enjoyed it.
4. How often do you train?
I train 28 hours per week. Twice a day on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and once on Wednesday and Saturday. We use morning sessions mainly for strength training and afternoon sessions for apparatus training.
5. Why do gymnasts train so early in the morning?
We train early so that students in my group have time to train before school.
6. Is it hard to get out of bed to train so early?
It’s never easy but I have been waking up early since 1993, so I have become used to it. It’s easier in summer when the sun rises early and much harder in winter when it’s dark and cold. I always enjoy my Sunday morning sleep in.
7. Who was your gymnastics hero when you grew up?
Vitaly Sherbo, I was inspired after seeing him compete at the 1994 World Championships in Brisbane.
8. What has been your biggest disappointment and how did you rebound from it?
When I found out my knee required a reconstruction. Following the operation, I set myself new goals. It took me 9 months to get back into full training. The first 3 months were simply to get back into walking comfortably and not damaging my knee again. The next 3 months were spend in the fitness gym getting strength back in my knee and last 3 were relearning skills on the gymnastics apparatus.
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