By Derek Reinglass
Action photo by John Cheng
More National Team Stories

At the age of 11 Tyler Mizoguchi could never have imagined gymnastics, let alone life, without his best friend. They spent every minute of every day together, until the days were no more.

"At the age of 11 my best friend Ricky Deci died, for a reason no one knows," Mizoguchi said. "We trained and competed together all the time. It was always his dream to go to the Olympics and compete for the USA, so that day I made a vow to make it to the Olympics for him."

Ten years have passed since Deci died, and Mizoguchi has made significant strides toward accomplishing his goal.

In 2006 he was named the Texas state high school champion on the still rings and runner-up on the floor exercise. The following year he was named state high school champion on the pommel horse and all-around, as well as notching a first-place finish at the 2007 USA Jr. Elite Championships on the horizontal bar.

Mizo, as his friends call him, is currently a junior at the University of Illinois and a member of the U.S. Senior National Team.

"As a gymnast I have grown in many ways," Mizoguchi said. "I would have to say the best change I've made would be fixing my body positions and form. Mentally you have to be very tough and emotionally stable to deal with all the hard work, long hours, and overall intensity that come with gymnastics. I think I have really excelled mentally in- and outside of the gym with many aspects of my life."

Mizoguchi credits his commitment to gymnastics as his guiding force in his maturation as a person outside the gym.

"The best thing about gymnastics is that it teaches you many life lessons that you can't get just by living an everyday life," Mizoguchi said. "No matter how hard it is to accomplish something, such as getting a new skill, you always have to believe in yourself and persevere. With determination and the power to never give up, no matter the obstacle, gymnastics has taught me that you can do anything you put your mind and heart into."

Gymnastics and college comprise the majority of his schedule, but when he gets the chance Mizoguchi enjoys spending his time socializing, and taking a nice joy ride.

"When I am not in the gym, I am either doing schoolwork, hanging out with my friends and/or family," Mizoguchi said. "I love to ride my motorcycle; it is probably the most relaxing activity."

When he's done swinging and flipping on the bars or pommel horse as a competitive gymnast, Mizoguchi plans to take his skills to the stage.

"After competition I really want to get into Cirque Du Soleil," Mizoguchi said. "I think that it would be a really good life experience and a lot of fun. I have seen the shows many times, including all over in Illinois, Houston, and Las Vegas. They're always amazing."