J.O. Nationals 2016May 28, 2016 by Rebecca Johnson
We are the Champions: Kyla Bryant Brings Down the House
We are the Champions: Kyla Bryant Brings Down the House
To follow up on the level 10 season and the new Junior Olympic national champions, we're highlighting the top all-arounders over the next few weeks.Today, w
To follow up on the level 10 season and the new Junior Olympic national champions, we're highlighting the top all-arounders over the next few weeks.
Today, we caught up with Senior D champion,
Bryant, of Georgia Elite Gymnastics, scored a 38.70 at Nationals to clinch the all-around in her age group. She put in very focused training leading up to J.O. Nationals, which allowed her to go all out when it was competition time.
FloGymnastics: Take me through your winning competition at Nationals:
Kyla Bryant: I started on bars, so I was super pumped about my rotation. I had a solid warm-up, and I was feeling extremely prepared—so when it was my time to compete, I told myself:
Next was beam, which is one of the events that will make or break a competition. My mission for beam was to stay confident, refrain from doubt, and to know that I’m in control of what happens. So as you can imagine, I was very happy to have hit my routine.
With floor next, I was excited because that’s my favorite event. My goal for floor was to just have fun, smile, and turn some heads. I received a career-high of a 9.800 on floor, so I was super happy.
With vault last, I just wanted to keep the dice rolling and finish my meet strong. Again, I told myself to give it everything I had, and with that, I finished vault strong.
When did you find out that you won?
My teammates actually told me right after I finished my last event (vault) and to be honest, I didn’t believe them and I cried a little before awards because I was so overjoyed!
What is the best part about becoming a national champion?
Becoming a person that little girls can look up to. The idea of being the source of motivation and hope for a young gymnast is the most humbling feeling ever. It also puts things into perspective for me as person and knowing that I achieved a goal that I thought was unreachable.
Do you have upgrades you’re excited to learn?
Yes, I’ve been playing around with Yurchenko double fulls on vault.
Rapid fire questions:
What do you love most about gymnastics?
There’s something about competing that is so thrilling and exciting for me. I love every second I spend out on the floor.
What is your first memory of doing gymnastics?
Learning a back hip circle in a beginners class.
What keeps you motivated in the gym?
When I think of all the sacrifices that my parents have made for me; I want everything to be worth it not just for myself, but for them.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
A morning person… When I have conversations in the morning, I am very energetic. It doesn't matter if it’s 5:50 a.m.—I’m ready to get the day started!
Bryant will be a senior next year and is looking forward to her final season of J.O. competition, as well as signing to the college of her choice.
Related:
We are the Champions: Taylor Houchin
We are the Champions Maddie Karr
Today, we caught up with Senior D champion,
KYLA BRYANT.
Bryant, of Georgia Elite Gymnastics, scored a 38.70 at Nationals to clinch the all-around in her age group. She put in very focused training leading up to J.O. Nationals, which allowed her to go all out when it was competition time.
FloGymnastics: Take me through your winning competition at Nationals:
Kyla Bryant: I started on bars, so I was super pumped about my rotation. I had a solid warm-up, and I was feeling extremely prepared—so when it was my time to compete, I told myself:
Leave nothing on the table. Give it everything you’ve got.I went up and hit my bar routine and even stuck my dismount!
Next was beam, which is one of the events that will make or break a competition. My mission for beam was to stay confident, refrain from doubt, and to know that I’m in control of what happens. So as you can imagine, I was very happy to have hit my routine.
With floor next, I was excited because that’s my favorite event. My goal for floor was to just have fun, smile, and turn some heads. I received a career-high of a 9.800 on floor, so I was super happy.
With vault last, I just wanted to keep the dice rolling and finish my meet strong. Again, I told myself to give it everything I had, and with that, I finished vault strong.
When did you find out that you won?
My teammates actually told me right after I finished my last event (vault) and to be honest, I didn’t believe them and I cried a little before awards because I was so overjoyed!
What is the best part about becoming a national champion?
Becoming a person that little girls can look up to. The idea of being the source of motivation and hope for a young gymnast is the most humbling feeling ever. It also puts things into perspective for me as person and knowing that I achieved a goal that I thought was unreachable.
Do you have upgrades you’re excited to learn?
Yes, I’ve been playing around with Yurchenko double fulls on vault.
Rapid fire questions:
What do you love most about gymnastics?
There’s something about competing that is so thrilling and exciting for me. I love every second I spend out on the floor.
What is your first memory of doing gymnastics?
Learning a back hip circle in a beginners class.
What keeps you motivated in the gym?
When I think of all the sacrifices that my parents have made for me; I want everything to be worth it not just for myself, but for them.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
A morning person… When I have conversations in the morning, I am very energetic. It doesn't matter if it’s 5:50 a.m.—I’m ready to get the day started!
Bryant will be a senior next year and is looking forward to her final season of J.O. competition, as well as signing to the college of her choice.
Related:
We are the Champions: Taylor Houchin
We are the Champions Maddie Karr