Talent Spotlight: Meet Massimo

Welcome to RIS Student Spotlight, a blog highlighting the diverse talents within the RIS student community. This month, IB students Sofia and Maddaelena interview Valerio, a Year 12 High School student and talented gymnast. 

1. What first inspired you to start practicing artistic gymnastics, and how old were you when you began?

My sister, because she also did it, and I would try to copy her. I started when I was 6 years old.

2. Which apparatus do you enjoy training on the most, and why?

I enjoy floor and vault the most because they just come to me easier, and also because for me it’s more fun because I can flip a lot

3. What does a typical training day look like for you during competition season? 

During competition season, we do very quick warm-ups to resemble the competition, and then we rotate on the different events with 3-5 minutes each, and then we do a mock exercise where our coaches judge us. But this is usually the last day before competition; otherwise, we do many exercises over and over again to improve landings, technique, or execution, and then we also include conditioning at the start and at the end.

 

4. How do you stay motivated when training gets really tough or exhausting? 

I usually try to think about the actual flips and not everything that comes with it. I basically think about why I love what I do and try to push out the stress; however, it’s really hard sometimes, and I usually lash out, especially when I can’t get a skill. 

5. Have you ever had to overcome a major setback or injury?

How did you deal with it? I never actually had a major injury because I always protect my ‘weak spots’ as best as I can. 

6. What is the most challenging skill you’re currently working on?

I’m currently working on a double layout on the floor, it’s very challenging because you have to do a double rotation with your body laid out, which decreases rotation, so you really need to utilize the right technique, which is challenging at times. 

7. How do you balance school, social life, and such an intense training schedule?

It’s very difficult, but I seem to manage so far. During the week, I have training every day, so I cannot do school work, but I do it during school time or on the weekend, and for my social life, I usually go out on the weekend in the evening when I finish all my studying. 

 

8. Do you have a favorite competition memory or a moment you’re particularly proud of?

I don’t really have a favorite memory, but I do really enjoy it whenever we have team competitions because you get to really bond with your teammates and cheer them on. 

9. Which gymnast national or international do you look up to the most? 

I really look up to Kenzo Shirai, a really famous and strong Japanese gymnast, because he is really good at my same events and I feel like we’re kind of similar in techniques, which makes me want to be as successful as him. But I also look up to Simone Biles, obviously, not because of her success, but because she talked about gymnasts’ mental health, which is really important to me. 

10. What are your goals for the next season and your long-term dreams in gymnastics?

My goals for next season are to bring new elements and clean up the skills I already have, so I can increase my scores for my next season. Long-term, it’s the same as gymnastics is all about building up.