A three strong New Zealand gymnastics team will compete at the Tokyo Olympics.
Misha Koudinov
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Misha Koudinov will compete in the men’s artistic competition while Dylan Schmidt will compete in the men’s trampoline.
Koudinov and Schmidt are the first New Zealand gymnasts to be selected to two Olympics both having competed at Rio in 2016.
Koudinov has competed at four Commonwealth Games and was the first New Zealander to make a gymnastics World Cup final.
His specialty apparatus are the parallel bars and the high bar where he is currently ranked 9th and 19th in the world, respectively.
Schmidt is ranked 9th in the trampoline while Maddie Davidson is the first New Zealand woman to compete at the Olympics in the trampoline.
Davidson set her sights on Tokyo in 2017 after she medalled in the World Age Group Competitions and is currently ranked 12th in the world.
“My selection to the New Zealand Team means everything. It is what we have been pushing for over the last four years and to finally get to this point is very exciting.
“We have always pushed for steady continuous growth with training, and that can be a challenge-particularly in the last year-but what kept me going was knowing that if I kept pushing then Tokyo was achievable,” says Davidson.
Dylan Schmidt training at home
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Schmidt, 24, is currently ranked 8th in the world.
“At Rio 2016 I learnt that the Olympic experience is all over so fast, so for Tokyo I want to be more present and in-the-moment and enjoy it.
“My biggest challenge has been my knee surgery in 2018 but Tokyo qualification was always front of mind and wanting to come out the other side better and stronger, kept me pushing through,” said Schmidt.
Gymnastic NZ chief executive Tony Compier said the qualification campaign cycle for Tokyo has been like no other.
“The selection of our athletes is a testament to their resilience, tenacity, and ability to perform at the highest level under unprecedented circumstances. We have no doubt that this adversity will stand them in good stead to represent New Zealand with pride and distinction in Tokyo.”
Artistic gymnastics will begin on July 24th, with trampoline starting on July 30th.
-RNZ
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