Max Mayr is known at Universal Gymnastics in Miami, FL as the "Training Machine."  According to his coach, Yin Alvarez, "Max walked into the gym at the age of five and showed that he was a very mature boy.  Believe it or not, at that age, Max knew what he wanted in the sport of gymnastics.  He was like a little old man paying attention to everything I said and following instructions better than any of my older gymnasts.  He is a very, very hard worker.  He always wants to do everything perfectly.  He is a perfectionist.  He never gives up and gets upset when he doesn’t do the skills how he wants to."

Up until the 2009 JO Nationals, injuries had limited Mayr to only one competition this past season, where he competed on three events at the Universal Invite in January.  It was thought that he might not be able to compete at all in 2009.  But, Mayr healed enough to finish 17th in the level 10 (14-15) all-around, 3rd place on rings and 6th place on parallel bars at JO Nationals.  He followed that up at the 2009 VISAs with a very impressive 6th place finish in the all-around and taking 3rd place on rings.  If you notice a pattern here, Mayr’s favorite event is rings.  His VISA performance earned him a coveted spot on the Junior National Team.

*** Click here to watch Mayr’s 3rd place rings performance at the 2009 JO Nationals  ***

In the prior year, the 2008 season ended early for Mayr when he broke his hand at JO Nationals.  At that time, Coach Alvarez petitioned Mayr onto the National Team and he was accepted.  After last month’s VISAs, Alvarez noted that Mayr "demonstrated to everyone that he deserved to be on the team both years."  Alvarez pointed out that "even though Max was injured, he didn’t miss one day of gym and did a lot of conditioning and mental preparation."  It obviously worked.

Some other notable achievements for Mayr were his 4th place all-around finish at the 2007 JO Nationals and being the 2006 Future Stars National Champion.  Also at the 2007 JOs, Mayr was the level 9 national champion on high bar and, you guessed it, rings.

Max Mayr is a poster boy for perseverance and hard work.  The past two seasons he has suffered from a broken hand, a fractured growth plate in his wrist, a pulled hamstring and a twice broken foot.  Despite these nagging injuries, he has fought through them and prevailed.  As Coach Alvarez says, "He is very old for his age."  It is a testament to Mayr’s work ethic and discipline when Alvarez declares that "I am his first and only coach and I feel very proud to coach him."  This young man knows what he wants; after all, he is the "Training Machine."

StickItMedia recently had the pleasure to interview Maximilian Mayr.

SiM:  How did you get started in gymnastics?

Max:   I got started in gymnastics because I was always active and hyper, so my parents decided to put me in a trial class at Universal Gymnastics.  I ended up liking it so I decided to start coming a couple times a week.  Then Yin thought I was doing really good and he wanted me to start coming every day for team classes.  Then about a year later he wanted me to become homeschooled and to start training all day.  I’ve been doing it ever since.

SiM:  What is it like training with so many great gymnasts at universal?

Max:  It is great.  I get to see how some of the top senior athletes in the country and from around the world train.

SiM:  What have been your biggest challenges to staying highly competitive?

Max:  Mainly trying to stay healthy and not giving up.

SiM:  What inspires you to compete?

Max:  Wanting to be the best in the world.

SiM:  What are your proudest achievements?

Max:  Winning the Future stars nationals in 2006.  Being the first person at the age of 10 to make the level 9 national team and winning the bronze medal on pommel horse at 2005 JOs.  Competing at Winter Cup at the age of 13 and finishing 2nd in the level 10 14-15 and ending up 4th combined with 16-18 in 2008.  Winning all around at the PAGU interclubs in Guatemala in 2004, in Cancun, Mexico in 2006, and in El Salvador in 2007.  Now, to be on the level 10 14-15 national team without training and being injured the whole year.  Also being on the junior national team for 5 years, and 4 years on the junior developmental national team.

SiM:  What has been your favorite meet in which to compete?

Max:  Probably Visa championships.  Being able to compete on a podium for the first time and making the national team there.

SiM:  How do you like being homeschooled?

Max:  I love being homeschooled.  I don’t have to do as much work as you do in regular school and I only have to do a couple of hours of school each day.  I can also take breaks whenever I want to.

SiM:  Other than gymnastics, what are your favorite activities?

Max:  Being with my friends, going to the movies, the mall, fishing, surfing and pretty much anything outdoors.

SiM:  What are your goals for the 2010 season?

Max:  I want to win the level 10 (14-15) all around title at JOs and Visas. I want to get top 4 at Winter Cup in the junior division in (14-15) and (16-18) combined.  I also want to compete internationally for the U.S.

SiM:  What are your long-term gymnastics and academic goals?

Max:  I want to make the senior national team.  I want to make a World championships team and an Olympic team and win a medal there.  I want to get a scholarship to a university and maybe compete in college gymnastics.  I want to keep a grade of a B or higher in school.

SiM:  What is your favorite thing about walking into the gym each day?

Max:  Knowing that today is going to be a better day than yesterday.  To know that everyday I’m growing to be a better gymnast not only physically but also mentally.

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