Gymnastics
Danell Leyva
Asthma, long arms and ADD aren’t the ingredients that go into making an Olympic gymnast. Unless, that is, you’re Danell Leyva. The child of two gymnasts that emigrated from Cuba when he was a toddler has become a wiz on the parallel bars and high bars. Training since childhood at his parents’ Miami gym, 20 year old Leyva has been reaching for the gold for as long as he can remember. “My mom didn’t want me to be a gymnast because of my physical problems,” Leyva told EFE in a recent report. “It was hard, I couldn’t jump, but I had a lot of heart and passion for the sport.” Their support extends to all that he does and we’re sure they’ll support his career in the many directions it takes. Leyva also happens to be a painter and aspiring musician who has his eyes on numerous prizes after his gymnastics career reaches its apex.