Silent Ninja, Sninja ["Because I don't talk a lot in the gym and my demeanour in competitions is very unassuming until I sneak up on my competitors with high-difficulty routines and good executive, kind of like a ninja."] (nbcolympics.com, 19 May 2016)

Singing, acting, listening to music. (usagym.org, 31 Dec 2014)

Athlete

Business Management - DeVry University, United States

English

United States Olympic Training Center [USOTC] [Colorado Springs, CO, USA]

Vitaly Marinitch [personal], Andriy Stepanchenko [personal] (usagym.org, 17 Jun 2016)

He earned a black belt in taekwondo before he began gymnastics at age eight. (nbcolympics.com, 19 May 2016)

In June 2015 he tore his Achilles tendon during a training session, requiring surgery on the injury. (olympictalk.nbcsports.com, 18 Jun 2015)

In October 2012 he tore his anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] and meniscus in his left knee. (gazette.com, 30 May 2013)

At the 2010 US Championships he tore his Achilles tendon while attempting a vault. (NBC, 05 Mar 2012)

He took up the sport at age eight. (uverseonline.att.net, 20 Apr 2012)

His father and mother saw a flyer that was advertising free gymnastics lessons. At the time he was doing martial arts, so his parents thought the free lesson was a good way for him to experience a new sport. "I had the black belt in taekwondo and my father realised I could do more because I was very strong. He would see me doing flips and splits and decided to introduce me to the sport." (uverseonline.att.net, 20 Apr 2012; usa-gymnastics.org, 16 May 2012 )

His mother Damaris died in February 2015 and he takes a rosary given to him by her everywhere he goes. "Having my rosary reminds me of my mum and having her there with me." (olympics.nbcsports.com, 16 Dec 2015)

General
PUSHING PAST PAIN
He admits that each of his serious injuries has damaged his self-confidence, if only temporarily. "It gets harder every time because it's like, 'Man, again? What did I do wrong this time?' I kind of throw myself a pity party because it's important to acknowledge your sadness and that you feel like it's not fair and that the universe is picking on you. I allow myself to cry and be angry, and then after two weeks I know I have to snap out of it." (gq.com,12 Jan 2016)

LEARNING FROM LONDON
He says he has a different perspective heading towards the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro from his attitude at the 2012 Games in London. "I think my personal life has changed a lot since 2012. My whole focus has shifted to doing it for myself, because my performance is the only thing that I can control. Last time I went to the Olympics, I was really focused on trying to win a medal, trying to get endorsement deals, trying to help my family get out of the Bronx ([New York], where I'm from. Which is not a bad reason, but it's a lot of pressure, especially as a 19-year-old at your first Olympics." (gq.com, 12 Jan 2016)

NATURAL TALENT
He could not control his energy at his first gymnastics class. "I remember running in and starting to tumble before the coach even told me anything. After the try-out the owner of the gym called my parents into the office and told them I had tremendous talent." (nbcolympics.com, 19 May 2016)

FAMILY MATTERS
His father had a stroke while he was competing at the 2007 US Junior Championships. Instead of leaving, he stayed and competed because his mother felt that is what his father would have wanted him to do. He won the all-around competition and dedicated it to his father. In the end, his father survived the stroke. (NBC, 05 Mar 2012)

VIDEO STAR
In 2012 he starred in the video for Gym Class Heroes' song 'The Fighter'. (nbcolympics.com, 19 May 2016)