Looks like Christmas came early this year...

[Geoffrey Taucer]

So today at the gym, at the end of the night, in walks a kid with his parents. 7 years old. They just moved here from Egypt...

...

... where he was one of the top 6-year-olds in the country. Apparently, he's been doing the egyptian equivalent of future stars, and has been training 36-hours/week. While I certainly wouldn't train a kid of that age (or of any age) with that sort of intensity, I can't complain about the results -- this kid is AWESOME. I have never seen a kid this age with such strong body control and such perfect handstand work.

I can't wait to have him join the team workouts after the break!

 

[Deleted member D3987]

keep us posted.

 

[gymgurl]

Lucky you, he sounds incredible!

 

[marie83]

ooooh how exciting!

But wow, 36 hours in the gym at 7?! Maybe that is why I can't name any top Egyptian male gymnasts!

 

[Faith]

ooooh how exciting!

But wow, 36 hours in the gym at 7?! Maybe that is why I can't name any top Egyptian male gymnasts!

This is what I was going to say!

How do you know if he's genuinely a talent or it's just sheer hard work? Is he very far ahead of his peers?

 

[bogwoppit]

Great news GT. He sure will be fun to work with. Providing you don't turn into a crazy gym coach with all the possibilities.

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

I'm putting him in my level 5 group -- there are some areas where he's a bit behind; he's spent almost no time doing rings or pommels (though his mushroom is pretty strong), has never done upper-arm swings on p-bars, and he's not used to working high bar without straps, but I suspect he'll catch right up.

Very strong support swings on p-bars, phenomenal handstand control, flawless form on everything, and when I asked him if he could do a press handstand, he casually cranked out five in a row from straddle support without breaking a sweat.

 

[Azgymmiemom]

Lucky you! Just keep it fun for him. 7 yr old kid in a new country...he needs trustworthy friends. He sounds like a true gem. Keep us posted.

 

[profmom]

That's great for you! But it's probably also a very, very good thing for this little boy -- he should be able to make friends among the other boys around gymnastics pretty quickly, which should help him a lot in making such a huge cultural adjustment.

 

[All Chalked Up]

Lucky you! Keep us posted, he sounds absolutely amazing.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

I'm putting him in my level 5 group -- there are some areas where he's a bit behind; he's spent almost no time doing rings or pommels (though his mushroom is pretty strong), has never done upper-arm swings on p-bars, and he's not used to working high bar without straps, but I suspect he'll catch right up.

Very strong support swings on p-bars, phenomenal handstand control, flawless form on everything, and when I asked him if he could do a press handstand, he casually cranked out five in a row from straddle support without breaking a sweat.

now THAT is impressive for a 7 year old.

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

It'll definitely take him a bit of time to settle in -- english is his second language, and he's not all that comfortable speaking it yet. But being 7, I suspect he'll pick it up pretty quickly.

 

[GymWithoutEnd]

This is a story I would like to follow! I bet he will shock a few people at meets too! Enjoy your new prodigy!