A year ago Michael Rodrigues, World Champion acrobatic gymnast, had just returned to his hometown of Livermore, CA after spending the previous 2 years working in the Cirque de Soleil show Viva Elvis in Las Vegas. He was coaching in the evenings at the gym he had previously trained at and working a full time job during the day, still trying to decide what he wanted to do next. He had no idea that in just 6 short months he would be agreeing to comeback to the competition floor after a 5 year retirement. Everything began to fall into place perfectly. If you don’t think everything happens for a reason, you might after this. The company he was working for informed him they were moving to Hayward in September which would make getting to the gym for his coaching job in the evenings almost impossible. He was on the fence about what to do when he was told that Ani Smith, who was then working with Brian Kincher, was going to need a new base as Brian had decided to retire. Jokingly he said, throw me into the hat if no one else comes up. However, in order for him to take on that role he’d need to quit his day job. Since his job was already moving and he was going to have to quit anyways in order to continue coaching, he decided to take a leap of faith, and follow his heart. He quit his job and said yes to basing Ani. Fast forward to today, Michael and Ani are currently at the Karolyi Ranch for National Team Training Camp with a few other athletes from West Coast Training Center, taking the first step towards getting onto the National Team which will be announced at Nationals in North Carolina in June of this year. Amazing what a difference a year can make!
But let me back up a little bit. I’m a portrait photographer, not a sports photographer so why am I writing this post about an acrobatic gymnast? And who is Michael Rodrigues anyways? Because if you are reading this you are probably not into acrobatic gymnastics and maybe don’t even know what it is. So let me explain. Acrobatic Gymnastics is best described as what you might see in Cirque du Soleil. It’s partnered gymnastics. It’s 2 or 3 (sometimes 4) people working together to perform dynamic and balance skills. It’s a form of gymnastics but is not yet in the Olympics, sadly and unfortunately, because if you Google it and watch it you’ll alsowonder why it’s not in the Olympics…but that’s a whole other post. It’s crazy, it’s mind blowing, it’s beautiful.
Michael Rodrigues is a highly decorated World Champion acrobatic gymnast. In 2009 he and his then partner, Kristin Allen won World Games, and they made history doing so as they were the first American Mixed Pair to achieve this. World Games is the equivalent of the Olympics. So if it were in the Olympics, which it should be, it would be like them winning an Olympic gold medal. The following year they followed up the World Games win by winning gold at the World Championships. Michael has also won a silver and a bronze medal at prior World Championships. He’s won more medals than any other American acrobatic gymnast. In 2010 he retired and went to work for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas for 2 years until the show closed down. He then returned home to help coach at the gym he trained at, West Coast Training Center in Livermore, CA with Marie Annonson. Late last year he was informed that he and past partner, Kristin Allen, would be getting inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame this year. So far only one other acrobatic pair has been inducted and this is a HUGE honor and accomplishment for Michael and Kristin. He’s also on the program committee serving as the Athlete Rep for acrobatic gymnastics and has done so for about 10 years. In case your wondering, he’s clocked in almost 20 years in the sport and a TON of medals. He’s an inspiration to so many young athletes; he’s hard working, dedicated and passionate about this sport. I don’t think him coming out of retirement to base Ani was a huge shock even with it being 5 years since he last competed. Everyone knows he lives and breathes this sport so if anyone was going to come back and base her it would be Michael. Michael’s known Ani since she started, she’s an incredible top and definitely worth coming back for. Just before her last partnership ended, they were performing with AcroArmy on America’s Got Talent where they came in 2nd! Now Michael and Ani are in the gym 5 days a week working out 3-4 hours a day. Their goal? World Championships in China in March 2016…..and to medal of course.
When I got my daughter involved in acrobatic gymnastics (acro) 3 years ago, I had no idea I’d be so involved in it 3 years later. I get to be on both the beginner side with my daughter and the advanced side with Michael. I can’t say enough good things about this sport, it’s truly amazing and beautiful to watch and I’m glad I’m not the one having to do it! I’m just the sideline cheerleader, cheering for both of them and the rest of their team to go out there and kick butt and they do just that every time. I’m the proud mom, girlfriend and supporter of acrobatic gymnastics. I want everyone to know about it. I want it to be an option you think about as a parent when you go to sign your kid up for sports. Right now, parents have no idea it exists. I fell into it as a fluke because I thought we were walking into an artistic gym and immediately fell in love with the sport and I know others would too if they only knew about it. My journey in acro has only just begun so I plan on spending the time I’m involved with it, pushing it, spreading the word, sharing pictures and doing whatever I can to grow the sport. To give you an idea of how small it is in the US, Michael is only 1 of THREE mixed pairs in the US and all three are located in California. It’s small now, but it doesn’t have to be. One day, hopefully sooner than later, everyone will know what acrobatic gymnastics is.
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Good luck Michael and Ani! We are all so proud of you both!
For more information on Acrobatic Gymnastics and Michael Rodrigues, click the links below:
