University of Minnesota Athletics
Freshman Spotlight: Vitali Kan
8/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
Aug. 10, 2015
Gophersports.com caught up with incoming freshman, West Allis, Wis. native, Vitali Kan about what he's most looking forward to this coming season both on and off the competition floor.
How did you get into gymnastics?
My father was a gymnast! As a little kid, I would spend hours in the gym every day while my dad worked as a coach. As I got older (around 5-years-old) I was taken from the preschool classes into the team classes. The rest is history.
How did you get into gymnastics?
My father was a gymnast! As a little kid, I would spend hours in the gym every day while my dad worked as a coach. As I got older (around 5-years-old) I was taken from the preschool classes into the team classes. The rest is history.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
Not competitively, but yes. I was a very athletic kid. I enjoyed playing basketball, football, soccer and other sports every once in a while.
Not competitively, but yes. I was a very athletic kid. I enjoyed playing basketball, football, soccer and other sports every once in a while.
Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
The team chemistry, the coaches, the talent of the gymnastics program, the amazing campus, the education the U of M provides and the fact I get in-state tuition from Wisconsin! Honestly, the list is endless; best decision I ever made!
The team chemistry, the coaches, the talent of the gymnastics program, the amazing campus, the education the U of M provides and the fact I get in-state tuition from Wisconsin! Honestly, the list is endless; best decision I ever made!
Have you chosen a major or leaning towards a specific area of study?
I am still undecided in a major but I am leaning towards studying Statistics.
I am still undecided in a major but I am leaning towards studying Statistics.
What do you like to do in your free time when you're not training in the gym?
Spending quality time with my teammates! If they're busy, then I typically take the time to relax with some video games or watch some Netflix.
Spending quality time with my teammates! If they're busy, then I typically take the time to relax with some video games or watch some Netflix.
What are you most looking forward to as a UMN gymnast?
Those routines that I'll look back at four years later and say, "I wish I could experience this again!"
Those routines that I'll look back at four years later and say, "I wish I could experience this again!"
Who was your athletic role model growing up?
A) My father. He's everything I aspire to be as a gymnast. Everything.
B) Gopher alum, Steve Jaciuk. He's everything I aspire to be as a leader and as a teammate (and a gymnast).
What's your favorite part about gymnastics? Do you have a favorite apparatus?
Sticking the dismount at the end of a great routine! It's like the icing on the cake. My favorite apparatus would have to be pommel horse.
What type of music most pumps you up for competition?
Mainly rap and hip-hop.
Mainly rap and hip-hop.
Do you have any pre-competition rituals or superstitions?
First off, I always eat a good breakfast (normally oatmeal). I always knock on wood after anything I say that might jinx myself before the meet. During competition, I have little things I do before each event, but other than that, the only other thing I make sure I do is enjoy the meet because there are only so many of them left and I want to make sure I have a good time at each and every one.
First off, I always eat a good breakfast (normally oatmeal). I always knock on wood after anything I say that might jinx myself before the meet. During competition, I have little things I do before each event, but other than that, the only other thing I make sure I do is enjoy the meet because there are only so many of them left and I want to make sure I have a good time at each and every one.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Gymnastics
/ Men's Gymnastics
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