Young Navajo gymnast advances quickly

FRUITLAND, N.M.

Nothing could keep Shawn N. Yazzie from attending gymnastics practice.

When it was time to play tee ball, he’d rather be at the gym and when he started acting like the seven-year-old kid he is, his parents would talked to him about having to give up the gymnastics team, then he would straighten himself out.

Shawn N. Yazzie’s father, Shawn P. Yazzie, said at a young age, it became obvious that his son had a deep admiration for gymnastics.

“Just his excitement to go to practice was evident,” Shawn P. Yazzie said. “If we were late he would really get onto us. He’d take a nap on the way to the gym, and right way, he would just wake himself up when we got there and walk into the gym.”

That dedication and discipline led Shawn N. Yazzie’s to his first USA Gymnastics Arizona state championship this month.

He competed in six events and placed first in the all-around in the 7-9 age division in Level 5. He won the gold in the pommel horse, rings, and vault events. Yazzie took home the bronze in floor exercise, parallel bars, and the high bar. Following his stellar performance, he was one of six competitors selected as an Arizona All-Star and will compete on the Level 5 team in the Region 1 championships in Reno, Nevada on April 8. He will represent Arizona and go up against competition from Nevada, Hawaii, and Northern and Southern California.

In just three or four years since he started in gymnastics, Shawn N. Yazzie managed to work his way up to the Level 5 team that is typically made up of children between the ages of 8-12.

After a year of practicing, Yazzie was invited to move up a level. However, he was unable to compete with the team because of his young age, so instead, he practiced with them.

Shawn P. Yazzie said his son showed early signs of growth in the sport.

“That took place in about a year, then he just advanced really quickly,” he said.

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