StickItMedia Exclusive Interview

John Orozco has certainly made an indelible impact on men’s club gymnastics over the past several years. Consider the following achievements:

• 2008 VISA Championships: 1st place All-Around
• 2008 JO Nationals: 1st place All-Around (Level 10/14-15)
  
• 2007 VISA Championships: 1st place All-Around
• 2007 JO Nationals: 2nd place All-Around (Level 9)
  
• 2006 JO Nationals: 3rd place All-Around (Level 9)
  
• Current member USA Junior National Team

Orozco, who trains at World Cup Gymnastics in Chappaqua, NY under Coach Jason Hebert, is on the fast track, already gaining valuable international experience at the 2007 Junior Pan American Championships and the 2008 Pacific Rim Championships. It’s no secret that Orozco has some lofty goals, one of which may lead him to London in 2012.

Orozco will again be competing as a Level 10 (14-15) in the 2009 club season. The 2009 Level 10 (14-15 age group) consists of an amazing list of returnees and an outstanding crop of incoming gymnasts from Level 9. It will be exciting to watch these men battle it out. Orozco is already off to a great start, as he recently won the World Cup Local by posting a blistering 90.00 All-Around score.

StickItMedia had the recent pleasure of interviewing John Orozco.

SiM: Which gymnastics achievements have made you especially proud?

Orozco: Qualifying and competing in the Pacific Rim Championships with three of our Olympians (Paul Hamm, Raj Bhavsar and Sasha Artemev). I felt honored to compete for our country.

SiM: What have been your biggest obstacles and challenges so far, and what helped you overcome them?

Orozco: I have sacrificed having a lot of friends because of my training. I live far from the gym, so I have no time after school or after gymnastics training to hang out. To overcome any obstacles, I stay self-motivated because I know what I want more than anything. That is to go to the Olympics.

SiM: What are your goals for the 2009 season?

Orozco: I hope to succeed at the 2009 Winter Cup Challenge so that I can make the Senior National Team.

SiM: What are your future academic and gymnastics goals?

Orozco: I definitely plan on going to college. As for gymnastics, my ultimate goal is to win a medal at the Olympics. In the near future, going to the World Championships would be great!

SiM: Which of your peers do you really admire? Do you all learn from each other?

Orozco: I admire all my peers; they have worked very hard to get to where they are today. We all learn from each other.

SiM: Among the elite and Olympic gymnasts, which ones do you most enjoy watching?

Orozco: I enjoy watching Sasha Artemev for his unique style and elegance on pommels.

SiM: Describe your experience of competing with such notable gymnasts as Paul Hamm, Sasha Artemev and Raj Bhavsar. What’s the best advice they have given you?

Orozco: They have never given me any advice, but just by competing with them, I was able to gain knowledge and guidance by observing them.

SiM: Other than gymnastics, what do you like to do? (Hobbies, music, reading, gaming, etc.)

Orozco: I love to listen to music, watch movies and go on the internet.

SiM: If not for gymnastics, in what sports do you think you would compete? What other sports do you like to follow?

Orozco: I don’t really follow any other sport closely except for gymnastics. As for competing, I think it would be in the martial arts. I used to do martial arts before gymnastics.

SiM: What advice would you give to new young gymnasts just beginning to compete, to help them reach levels 9 and 10?

Orozco: I would say to keep your head up and never lose sight of your dreams or goals in life.

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

Orozco: Getting straight to practice!

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