INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 17, 2020 — USA gymnastics today announced that Raj Bhavsar has been named the Men’s Junior Olympic Program Assistant, effective this month. Bhavsar will report to Jason Woodnick, Vice President of USA Gymnastics Men’s Program and will work closely with Dusty Ritter, the Men’s Junior Olympic Program Coordinator.

“We are very excited to have Raj join our team as the Junior Olympic Program Assistant for the Men’s Program,” said Woodnick. “Raj’s accomplishments in gymnastics are world class and he knows what it takes to be at the highest level of our sport. He is very well respected in the community, and he demonstrates a passion and dedication for gymnastics that will help to develop the future of our program.”

As Junior Olympic Program Assistant, Bhavsar’s responsibilities include assisting with the tracking of USA Junior National Team and top junior athletes around the world. He will also help the Junior Olympic Program Coordinator with the creation of clinics and presentations for Junior National Team development. Additionally, Raj will assist with the coordination and management of the Junior National Team coaching staff as well as contribute to the production of the Junior Olympic program manual.

“It is an incredible honor to be named the Junior Olympic Program Assistant. Gymnastics has been my life’s passion, and I am grateful my experiences as a competitor and coach will now serve a greater purpose,” said Bhavsar. “Our Junior Olympic program and national teams are filled with exceptional athletes and brilliant professionals who represent the future of U.S. men’s gymnastics. I look forward to collaborating with everyone involved to develop winning teams and reach the highest pinnacles of our sport.”

Bhavsar had a decorated career as a gymnast that included being a member of the 2008 bronze medal winning Olympic team. Raj was also a World medalist and has two skills named after him in the FIG Code of Points. In 2011, Raj was inducted into The Ohio State University Hall of Fame, his alma mater, where he was a ten time All-American.

Since retiring from gymnastics, Bhavsar co-founded the International Yoga Sports Federation (IYSF), based in Lausanne, Switzerland. He served as the IYSF’s Secretary General for nine years. In addition, Raj has worked with other unique start-ups as a principal and operations specialist. For two years, he was a performing artist for Cirque du Soleil’s cinema-based show, “IRIS.”

Raj currently lives in Los Angeles, and is the men’s program director at Waller’s GymJam in Santa Clarita.