Gymnastics
April 27, 1980
Kevin Tan
Born: September 24, 1981 in Fremont, Calif.
Current Residence: Fremont, Calif.
Favorite Event: Rings
Ethnicity: Chinese
Did you know?: Tan hates pizza.
Bio
Kevin Tan, a 27-year-old Bay Area native, began gymnastics in 1988 at the age of seven. Growing up as a hyper active child, Tan used gymnastics as a way to get out of the house and into something productive. Tan attended Pennsylvania State Univ., where he was a member of the school’s 2004 NCAA Championship Team, contributing as a six-time All-American and the team’s first back-to-back NCAA champion on still rings. Tan represented the United States at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in November 2005, and he was captain of the men’s team for the 2006 World Championships. Tan’s parents moved from China to Hong Kong in the late 1940s and then to California, where his father attended Stanford University. His Chinese name is Kai Wen.
Career Highlights
2008
- U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Gymnastics, Philadelphia, Pa.: 1st in Still Rings.
- USA vs. Canada, Calgary, Alberta, Canada: made 1st-Team in Pommel Horse and Still Rings.
- Visa Championships, Houston, Texas: 1st in Still Rings
- Winter Cup Challenge, Las Vegas, Nev.: 1st in Still Rings
2007
- Internationaux de France - World Cup, Paris, France: 1st in Still Rings
- Visa Championships, San Jose, Calif.: 1st in Still Rings
- Winter Cup Challenge, Las Vegas, Nev.: 1st in Still Rings
2006
- Visa Championships, St. Paul, Minn.: 1st in Still Rings
- 2006 Winter Cup Challenge, Las Vegas, Nev.: 1st in Still Rings
2005
- Visa Championships, Indianapolis, Ind.: 2nd in Still Rings
- 2005 Winter Cup Challenge, Las Vegas, Nev.: 2nd in Still Rings
2004
- Visa Championships, Nashville, Tenn.: 2nd in Still Rings
- 2004 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships, Champaign, Ill.: Made the 1st-Team
- 2004 Winter Cup, Las Vegas, Nev.: 1st in Still Rings
2003
- NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships, Philadelphia, Pa.: 1st in Still Rings, 3rd in Team competition.
- 2003 Winter Cup Challenge, Las Vegas, Nev.: 1st in Still Rings
You have been consistently successful in gymnastics. What do you attribute your success to?
I was a very hyperactive child. My parents felt it would be good to channel that energy into gymnastics. At first it was one of many sports that I played, along with golf, baseball and tennis. As I got older, I stuck with it because I loved it so much. My success comes from my love of the sport. I really enjoy the still rings event; it has always been something I have been able to do naturally.
On past gymnastics teams, you have been nominated as team captain. Why have your teammates considered you to be such a leader?
The team captain is voted on by the team, which is a great honor. I think I am considered a leader because of my demeanor. To be a good leader, you need to have confidence and calmness. You should be able to lead by example and speak up when you know something needs to be addressed.
As the only Asian Pacific American on the team, do you feel a sense of pride representing the community?
Being part of the Asian American community is something that I am very proud of, and going to the Olympics to represent America as an Asian American is very rewarding. To be able to represent that community is a great thing.
With the Olympics being held in Beijing, is there any added pressure you feel as a Chinese American going back to your parent’s homeland of China?
Not at all; I think it makes it that much better. To be able to go back to the country where my father grew up and lived, and experience the tradition and culture that he lived through is something special.
Going into the Olympic competition, what are your greatest goals and challenges?
We want to obtain a team medal, preferably the gold medal, and for me I hope to make it to the still ring final and to the podium for a medal. Our greatest challenges are going to be realizing that we are in the Olympics, and that it is a great opportunity for all of us. Another challenge for us is being able to give consistent, sharp and clean routines.
If you could give any advice to APA athletes looking to compete at the Olympic level, what would you tell them?
I would tell them that nothing is impossible, and if you really want success you need to give it all you have in the gym. You need to do everything you can to reach your goals.
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No wonder he hates pizza; he lives in California. lol