Sophomore Mina Popovic finishes her floor gymnastics routine with a flip off of the balance beam at the 2018 Junior Olympics Nationals.
By: Genelle Gogue
Competing in the Olympics for gymnastics is the goal for Sophomore Mina Popovic. She has been participating in gymnastics for almost all her life and plans to compete in the 2020 Olympics, Popovic said.
Popovic has taken part in gymnastics for 11 years and is part of the gym San Mateo Gymnastics. She started gymnastics at a young age and knew it was something she loved to do, Popovic said.
“I think when I started competing, [in] competitive gymnastics I realized that it’s something I really wanted to do,” Popovic said. “I liked being in front of a crowd.”
With all the training she does, which is 30 hours a week, Popovic finds it a bit challenging to balance everything. Her competition season starts in January and ends in May, but even in her offseason she is still training hard. All the practices and competitions add to her busy schedule, she said.
When being that dedicated to a sport, there are gonna be times when you wanna quit, Popovic could agree. “It is really hard because I train so much and I train so far away, so it’s hard to balance especially with homework,” she said. Popovic is taking all her mandatory classes just like any other student, but her gymnastics really adds to her schedule. When asked if she differs from other student athletes, Popovic said no.
Popovic looks up to 2008 Olympian Shawn Johnson who inspired her at a young age. With all the inspiration and love Popovic has towards gymnastics, it is still challenging at times Popovic said.
“It happens very often, you’d be surprised,” said Popovic. “You just have to push through. Just the thought of I’ve been here for so long and it will all be worth it in the end.” Popovic is only 15 years old and has gotten very far in the gymnastics world.
The 2020 Olympics are only two years away, Popovic is pushing and working hard to earn her spot. Among the three main events, bars, beam, and floor; Popovic is currently best at the bars. she said.
“It is a little early to tell with it being in two years, but I get closer everyday,” Popovic said in regards about how likely she is to compete in the Olympics.
Popovic doesn’t have very many hobbies besides gymnastics, it takes up a majority of her time. She works hard especially in her gym since there are many other gymnasts competing to be in the Olympics Popovic said.
When asked if she had any advice for anyone wanting to pursue gymnastics, Popovic said, “I think no matter how hard it is and if you think you can do it, you just have to keep pushing.”