Plymouth Gymnastics School To Celebrate Alum at U.S. Olympic Team Trials
One Plymouth gymnastics training facility will have alumni representation at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials this week. It’s inspiring the school and its athletes.
Nearly every day, you can find athletes putting in the hours at Mini Hops Gymnastics. That focus is intentional according to Kostya Kolesnikov, director for boys gymnastics at Mini Hops.
“Gymnasts have to continue their training all year long. They cannot stop for a period of time,” he explained. “Gymnastics, as a sport, develops people for any kind of sport. Very, very rapidly and in a very unique way.”
When you think gymnastics, people often don’t think of men. The popularity of women’s gymnastics is largely thanks to the Olympic success of the U.S. women’s team over the years.
“A lot of girls, they see themselves: ‘Oh! I could be like Simone Biles.’ While the boys are like, ‘Oh, I’m going for the soccer. I’m going for the football,'” Kolesnikov said.
Kolesnikov said it’s a misconception that gymnastics isn’t a men’s sport. He coached at the University of Minnesota before their team was eliminated by the school. He now coaches boys in Plymouth and has seen hard work from boys at all levels.
“It is there. Men’s gymnastics exists. Men’s gymnastics is strong,” he said.
He helped develop athletes like 2020 Olympian Shane Wiskus. A native of Spring Park, Wiskus was a longtime Mini Hops athlete. He also competed under Kolesnikov at the U of M.
Wiskus is celebrated in the hallway of Mini Hops in Plymouth.
Wiskus is back in town this week for the trials. Kolesnikov said he, his family and members of the team will be in the stands.
“We’ll be cheering for him! I already have my sign for him,” Kolesnikov said.
The Next Generation
Wiskus’ success is inspiring the boys at Mini Hops.
Both Cameron Klimmek and Dean Murray have big dreams, which seem more real with their teammate in town.
“Growing up around Shane– he was my teammate when I was younger– and seeing him progress to the Olympics, and now trying to go a second time, it’s super cool and motivating for myself,” Klimmek said.
Klimmek will attend the University of Michigan to be on that school’s gymnastics team. He spends plenty of time in the Mini Hops gym.
Cameron Klimmek works on his skills on the rings at Mini Hops.
“Its a little competition, friendly back and forth. But I’d say the community is one of the best parts,” Klimmek said.
Dean Murray, meanwhile, is still in high school, but has the same Olympic dream.
“I’m going to go see them at the Olympic trials. So, I get to see all of them compete. Hopefully will be there one day, too,” Murray said.
The U.S. Olympic Trials begin Thursday at Target Center in Minneapolis, also named “Gymnastics City USA” this week.
More details and ticket information is available on the Gymnastics City USA website.
Athletes practice for hours a day to develop and retain their gymnastics skills.
