This Acro Spotlight is on the women’s pair of Mo Arthur & Ariana Katsov, from Mid America Acro & Tumbling Team in Owensville, Mo. In 2021, the pair won a bronze medal at the World Age Group Games. In 2022, they placed sevenths at the World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, and were crowned women’s pair national champions at the USA Gymnastics Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. Their most recent accomplishments include two World Cup medals and becoming the 2023 women’s pair national champions at USA Gymnastics Championships in Tulsa.
Below is a Q&A with Mo and Ariana.
Q: How old were you and how did you get started in Acro?
A: I started in Acro when I was 8 years old. I was going to an artistic gym and had been invited to their pre-team. However, I was also actively involved in professional theatre at the time. The head coach wanted me to make a choice between theatre and competitive, artistic gymnastics. I didn’t want to make a choice. I wanted to continue to do both. Some friends of ours recommended Mindi and MAATT.
Q: Have you always been a women’s pair?
A: No! I originally was a top in a women’s pair. Then I transitioned to a pair and trio base with Ariana.
Q: How long have you been together as Women’s Pair?
A: This will be our tenth year competing together.
Q: What is you hardest and your favorite skill?
A: My hardest skill is a two-to-one slide to split, and my favorite skill is any type of recatch.
Q: What challenges have you faced being an elite athlete?
A: As we have progressed to elite, finding enough time to get the number of hours needed to adequately compete at this level has been real challenge. This year, Ariana has been able to homeschool. This has given us more time throughout the day for conditioning, block work, and belt work.
Q: How have your family, friends, teammates, etc. been supportive of your Acro career?
A: My family has been so supportive and very encouraging. I have lived 45 minutes away from my dad, brothers, and grandparents for six years. I have only been able to see them on available weekends. Most of my friends are part of our gym or on Team USA. They have always been super supportive and have been my #1 fans throughout my Acro career.
Q: What is it like to travel Internationally for Team USA, and do you have a favorite memory?
A: I remember watching Worlds in 2018, when I promised myself that I would be at the next Worlds in 2020. The next year, we were assigned our first international competition in Portugal. Traveling as part of Team USA brings a burden of responsibility as well as an incredible amount of pride. I have been fortunate enough to compete at two World Championships, as well as two other international competitions. Earning a bronze medal at 2021 World Championships was the icing on the cake.
Q: What inspiration can you give to new and young acrobats that dream of being an elite athlete?
A: The advice I would give to young people is to study successful athletes and determine what makes them great. We can learn (and should learn) from the successes and failures of others. When you figure out the difference between “good” and “great”, do what it takes to be great! Most of the time, it’s just a little extra effort. Also, no matter what, stay humble!
Q: What is the best part of being in Acro?
A: The best part of being in Acro is when you get to the point that you know “little people” are watching and admiring you. I love this, not because I am prideful, but because then I can really make a difference in someone’s life. It is awesome to think that someday, someone might say, “It’s because of Mo and Ariana that I…………”.
Q: What are your future goals in and out of Acro?
A: In the future, Ariana and I would like to compete in the 2024 World Championships in Israel. We would then like to compete for Team USA at World Games. After I retire from Acro, I would like to continue my education and become a nurse practitioner.
Q: How old were you and how did you get started in Acro?
A: I was 5 years old when I started Acro. My parents were head coaches as the gym, so I grew up around it and it always seemed “natural” for me to start Acro.
Q: Have you always been a women’s pair?
A: Yes, I have always been in a women’s pair. However, in my earliest years, I was also in an 11-16 trio with Mo and another partner.
Q: How long have you been together as women’s pair?
A: I have been in a women’s pair for ten years. Mo and I have been Acro partners my entire Acro career.
Q: What is you hardest and your favorite skill?
A: The hardest skill for me is two-to-one slide to split. My favorite skill is full-in off Mo’s shoulder. I love challenging skills and I love twisting!
Q: What challenges have you faced being an elite athlete?
A: The most challenging part of Acro right now is my height. When I was younger, I was very small. However, as the years have passed, I have gotten taller. With each growth spurt, we must adjust. It is also difficult when well-meaning people are always telling you, “Wow! You have gotten so big!” However, with each adjustment, we have grown together as a pair and used it to push us to accomplish what others might see as impossible.
Q: How have your family, friends, teammates, etc. been supportive of your Acro career?
A: My family, friends, and teammates have also been a great support to Mo and I. They have always wanted what was best for us. From sweet notes and words to financial contributions for our trips, everyone has been super supportive and encouraging!
Q: What is it like to travel Internationally for Team USA and do you have a favorite memory?
A: Traveling as a representative for Team USA has always been an incredible experience. I love to see my friends and make new friends. My favorite memory must be getting a bronze medal in Geneva, Switzerland in 2021. We went into Worlds that year with hopes of “just not being last”. We never imagined that we would walk away world medalists!!
Q: What inspiration can you give to new and young acrobats that dream of being an elite athlete?
A: Many times as an athlete, I have been frustrated with a lot of things. Just remember that it doesn’t matter the size of your gym or club or what others think. Listening to negative comments will only bring you down. You must make up your own mind and push through. When you put hard work with a determined mind, you can achieve anything!
Q: What is the best part of being in Acro?
A: The best part of Acro for me is getting the life experiences. Many kids never get the experiences that I have had. Most kids don’t get to travel and see all the amazing things around the world. And I even get to do it with people I really love and connect with!!
Q: What are your future goals in and out of Acro?
A: As far as Acro, Mo and I would like to continue to hold a spot on the U.S. National Team. We would like to continue competing internationally and improving our skills and technique. We ultimately would like to attend the 2024 World Championships in Israel, as well as World Games 2025. After Acro, I am undecided on a career path, but I want to carry the wisdom and discipline that I have learned in Acro with me wherever and whatever I choose to do or go.