UT cultivates many trailblazers, whether it be football legends, award-winning filmmakers or, in the case of freshman Tomás Minc, World Cup Champion Gymnasts. 

USA gymnastics member Tomás Minc traveled to West Palm Beach, Florida for the International Gymnastics Federation World Cup Series and returned as the Senior World Cup Champion in the Double Mini Trampoline event. Minc, a physical culture and sports major, said the competition, which took place Aug. 3 through Aug. 5, exceeded his expectations. 

“It was kind of surreal,” Minc said. “If I’m honest, that was the least confident I’ve been for any competition. I had rough training leading up to that specific World Cup, so to even come out with a medal was just an utter shock.”

Minc said he specializes in trampoline gymnastics but competes in a focus event called Double Mini Trampoline where gymnasts perform acrobatic skills on a structure smaller than a regular competition trampoline. He said his love for gymnastics started at a very young age.

“I was in a mommy-and-me class when I was three years old,” Minc said. “From there, I kept going, and I’ve been competing ever since.” 

Minc’s hometown coach, Alyx Walker, said he grew up alongside her nephew, which led the pair to develop a familial bond.   

“He grew up with my nephew, who also did gymnastics with us,” Walker said. “He’s basically my honorary nephew. … It’s not just (coaching) an athlete, it’s family.” 

Minc said he faced many challenges throughout his journey, but his biggest challenge arose during his recent World Cup win. 

“I started having mental blocks on some skills,” Minc said. “There were some tricks I was supposed to do that my brain would just forget how. It was kind of scary.”

Minc said the start of the pandemic made for a turning point in his career.

“Before COVID, I was good, but I wasn’t top tier,” Minc said. “I restructured my brain and got my mindset right. (I) started meditating every day, working out every day, trying to give myself the advantage over everyone else so that when competition did come back, … I would be at the top of my game.”

Minc said he shares his victorious moments with an extensive support system, boasting around 200,000 followers across various social media platforms. He said he uses his platform to advocate for the sport. 

“My goal is to get Double Mini into the Olympics,” Minc said. “A lot of people quit early because it’s a dead end after Worlds, but I want to push it further than that so it can be a long career.” 

Although Minc’s career soared to heights early on, he said he anticipates more success in the future. Minc said he plans to compete at the 2023 World Championships in Birmingham, England this November.

“(I) hope to carry on my success from the World Cup and bring it to the World Championships,” Minc said. 

Minc said anyone can do anything they put their mind to, even if it feels out of reach. 

“I never would have expected to be in this position three years ago, but I wanted it so bad that I dedicated all my time to it,” Minc said. “If you want something, you have to go out and get it.”