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- calendar_today November 6, 2026
Freddie Wanat Earns Spot on Team USA
Freddie Wanat, a teenage gymnast from Downers Grove, Illinois, will represent Team USA at the World Championships next week in China. Wanat's journey to becoming one of the nation’s top trampoline gymnasts nearly came to an end before it really began, making his achievement all the more remarkable.
Early Challenges and Determination
Wanat began gymnastics at the age of nine. Within a year, he considered quitting the sport, feeling the demands were too much and longing for more time to play outside with friends. He communicated his intentions to Coach D'Robinson, who encouraged him to reconsider and try his best. Robinson believed in Wanat's talent but emphasized that success would require commitment. This advice resonated with Wanat and prompted him to persist in his training.
Achievements and Training
Wanat's perseverance has paid off. He is now a five-time U.S. Tumbling and Trampoline Association National Champion. His achievements are celebrated at his training home, the Elite Sports Complex in Downers Grove, where his name is displayed on the gym's wall.
Competing on the World Stage
Now a high school freshman, Wanat looks forward to competing on the international stage. He will join Team USA at the upcoming World Championships, representing the country in the double mini trampoline event. Wanat is one of four Americans selected in his age group to compete in this discipline. The double mini trampoline involves a short, vault-like apparatus, where athletes perform two or three high-difficulty skills in rapid succession. Wanat typically performs two skills, choosing the more challenging route.
Dedication and Belief
Preparation for such a prestigious event is intense. According to Coach D'Robinson, "In this sport, you train 12 hours a week for only three seconds of your life." The hours of gymnastics training boil down to brief, defining moments on the competition floor. For Wanat, continuing in the sport became a matter of believing in himself, a decision he is grateful for today. "I realized I was like going to be really good at it, and I realized that I really shouldn’t have quit, and I just kept going," Wanat said.
Looking Ahead
Wanat and his coach hope his story can serve as inspiration for perseverance both inside and outside of sports. As he prepares to compete for a world title in China, Wanat's journey highlights the importance of dedication, determination, and self-belief in achieving athletic excellence.
Source: wgntv.com.
