Twitter: Kiya0227
Instagram: _kiyajohnson
When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics? I started when I was really young like 2 years. I just loved to flip around the house.
Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes? I remember when I was in Mommy and Me classes my mom would always lose me in the gym.
When did you decide you wanted to compete? And, when did you want to compete at a high level? What about competition appeals to you? When I moved to Texas Dreams Gymnastics I saw the older girls competing in higher levels and it motivates me to want to compete at the same level. I love showing off my skills, so I feel like that’s why I like competing.
What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics? I have been training everyday except for Sunday’s since I was pretty young, and I started competing when I really young.
What is your favorite event? It’s a tie between floor and vault
What is your favorite skill? Double on vault.
Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”? One of my favorite gymnast is Aly Raisman. I love her confidence.
How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally? My skills have improved over the years, and I think mentally I have become more confident in myself.
How has gymnastics helped you as a person? It has helped to learn to have confidence in everything I do.
If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be? Gymnastics has taught me to never give up, and always except the challenge that is given to you.
What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career? Winning the Nastia Cup in 2015, and qualifying elite in 2016.
What grade are you in school, and where do you go to school? I am a sophomore at Coppell High School
Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics? Yes I want to be a collegiate gymnast
What are your favorite subjects, etc.? Science or history
If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there? I want to study something that has to do with sports, like (sports medicine, sports nutrition, physical therapy
What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing? I want to compete in college, then after I want to major something that I love to do to, and I want to start a family
When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities? I like to hang out with friends outside of gym, and go to basketball and football games
What is your favorite food? Strawberries, Salmon, and fruit snacks
What is your favorite movie? White Chicks
What is your favorite book? The Fault in Our Stars
What is your favorite music group? I love all types of music, and many different groups
Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports? My mom played basketball in college
Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms? I like to listen to music when I get ready for meets
What’s on your IPod right now? What type of music do enjoy listening to? How about before a meet when you’re trying to get focused and pumped up? I listen to all types of music, but mostly rap
If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they? Confident, Aggressive, and Determined
1. Name, Age, Hometown
Kiya Johnson, 12, Desoto, Texas
2. Do you have a nickname?
“Ki.”
3. When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
I used to love to flip around a lot. Then my parents put me in gymnastics and I loved it.
4. Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
When I was really little, I used to get so excited and run around the gym away from class.
5. When did you decide you wanted to compete? And, when did you want to compete on the elite level? What about competition appeals to you?
I wanted to start competing when I was around four or five years-old.
6. What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics?
I train twice a day three days of the week and once a day on three out of the remaining four days.
7. What is your favorite event?
Vault.
8. What is your favorite skill?
Double Arabian
9. What music do you use for your floor routine?
A song from “Men in Black.”
10. Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”?
I love Dominique Dawes and Shawn Johnson.
11. How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally?
I became more mentally tough, and I don’t get as frustrated anymore when things don’t go my way.
12. How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
Gymnastics has taught me to have patience that I didn’t have before
13. If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be?
It would be to stick with something until I complete it.
14. What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
Making it to last year’s Nastia Liukin Cup and NIT (Junior Olympic National Invitational Tournament).
15. What grade are you in school, and where do you go to school?
I’m in 7th grade and I got to Elite Learning Academy, which is at the gym.
16. Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics?
Yes, I want to go to UCLA.
17. What are your favorite subjects, etc.?
I like history.
18. What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing?
I would like to be an Elite gymnast. Then, I would like to become a physical therapist.
19. When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities? Charities?
I love to draw.
20. What is your favorite food?
Strawberries, steak and mashed potatoes.
21. What is your favorite movie?
“The Fault In Our Stars” and “Clueless.”
22. What is your favorite book?
The “Divergent” series.
23. Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports?
My mom used to play basketball and volleyball.
24. Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
I don’t know why, but I like to eat a pack of fruit snacks before a meet.
25. What’s on your IPod right now? What type of music do enjoy listening to? How about before a meet when you’re trying to get focused and pumped up?
I have lots of different music.
26. If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they?
Strong, determined and tough.
27. What 3 words describe you as a person, not the gymnast?
Funny, calm and friendly.
Q: Do you have a nickname?
“Ki”
Q: When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
“When I was 2 years-old, my parents put me in a class and I liked it.”
Q: Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
“When I was little, I used to run around the gym, and my coach would chase me.”
Q: When did you decide you wanted to compete? What about competition appeals to you?
“I got excited about elite when I first went to an elite meet. I enjoy preforming my routines under pressure.”
Q: What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics?
“I train several hours a week, and it was a big increase when I started competing.”
Q: What is your favorite event?
“Vault.”
Q: What is your favorite skill?
“Full-off on bars.”
Q: Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”?
“McKayla Maroney.”
Q: How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally?
“I have gotten more mentally tough and I am much stronger on bars.”
Q: How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
“It has taught me to never give up.”
Q: If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be?
“To never give up on your dreams.”
Q: What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
“Winning vault at Regionals and qualifying for the Nastia Liukin Cup.”
Q: Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics?
“Yes.”
Q: What are your favorite subjects in school?
“History.”
Q: If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there?
“Physical therapy.”
Q: What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing?
“My goals as an athlete are to make elite and compete at the college level. After I am finished with gymnastics, I want to become a physical therapist.”
Q: When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities?
“I enjoy drawing.”
Q: What is your favorite food?
“Strawberries.”
Q: What is your favorite movie?
“Dolphin Tale.”
Q: What is your favorite book?
“Heaven is for Real.”
Q: Who is your favorite musician?
“Lorde.”
Q: Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports?
“My little sister is also a gymnast.”
Q: Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
“I say a quick prayer.”
Q: If you had to pick three words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they?
“Strong, short and talented.”
Q: What three words describe you as a person, not the gymnast?
“Short, funny and nice.”