Get to know U.S. Junior National Team gymnast, Elk Grove area resident Preston Ngai
ELK GROVE, Calif. — Have you ever watched an Olympian, a pro-athlete, or an athlete who has international status, and wondered, “How did they get so good?” Was it talent, hard work, or were they just ‘lucky’? I have coached many National Team members and I was once at that level, so I know from experience, it’s everything combined! Let’s take a look at Elevate Gymnastics Academy’s Preston Ngai and his journey to become a member of the U.S. Junior Men’s National Team, which just competed in Tempe, Florida, on August 18- 21st, 2022.
When Preston was born on August 4, 2006, his older brothers, Brandon and Cameron, were already competing in gymnastics. Preston was exposed to the sport early because he had to wait for his brothers at the gym and was already jumping on trampolines (fully supervised, of course). He started his first real class at around three years old, and then somewhere between ages four and five, Preston was invited to join Elevate’s SUPER DUDES program. The SUPER DUDES program is a special program designed for young boys who show outstanding motor skills, a desire to compete, and can train four hours per week.
There were ups and downs, and I remember Preston holding onto Penny’s leg (his mom) prior to class because he wasn’t sure if he wanted to do class. As time went on, he developed a huge love for gymnastics which was a result of watching his very successful brothers. Preston soon switched from not just loving to do the fancy skills, to loving the process of learning and enjoying the experience. He then began moving up the levels, level 4 to level 10, and then to International Elite. Preston’s training hours also increased from four hours to an average of 23 hours per week. As this was happening, his schoolwork was also doing very well. He attended Montessori Schools through 4th grade and then moved into a hybrid school, Rio Valley Charter. His grades and schooling were following the same path as his gymnastics – excellent!
During the many years leading up to becoming an International Elite, there have been many setbacks. At age eight he dislocated his elbow, which needed surgery to stabilize it. In 2019, Preston was invited to a training camp in Hungary where he, unfortunately, broke his wrist and had to have surgery overseas. This was tough because his parents were here in Elk Grove, but he was in good hands with his coaches. When Preston returned home from Hungary, he was injured and had to miss his Regional Championships. He was sad about missing Regionals, so his parents took him to see the BIG 10 Championships and the NCAA Championships his older brother Brandon was in. According to Preston’s mom, this turned out to be a great experience because the University of Illinois Men’s Gymnastics teammates showed Preston some of their scars and injuries and were incredible with him. It helped to have an awesome big brother who had great teammates to encourage Preston to stay focused and heal up.
Even this year Preston was struggling with fluid on his spine, but he had a goal of making the U.S. Junior Men’s team and stayed dedicated to his training and his therapy.
In the end, it paid off!
So, what does it take to become a champion? Everything! Hard work, day-in-day-out training, love of your sport, great parents, great coaches, lots of time, managing good days and bad days, handling ups and downs, dedication to both school and your sport, a great facility like Elevate Gymnastics Academy, and, of course, a dream of becoming a champion!
A special note: aside from gymnastics, Preston volunteers at “Gift of Groceries” (a church-based food bank), likes to play video games with his friends, likes Marvel movies, Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and Stranger Things. He also loves food and is open to trying anything new and willing to discover something new. He is humble, soft-spoken, and a great role model for the young athletes in the gym.
A few accolades about Preston:
2013 State AA Champion and Champion on PBars, High Bar and Pommel; 3rd Floor, rings, Vault
2014 State AA Champion and Champion on Floor, Pommel, and Rings; 2nd Vault, Pbars
Regional Championships: High bar Champion, 2nd Floor, #rd Pommel, AA
2015 State Champion on Floor, and High Bar, 2nd Pommel and AA
2016 State Championships: 2nd Floor, Pommel, Vault, AA; 3rd Rings, High Bar
Regional Championships: 2nd Rings, High Bar; 3rd Floor, Pommel, AA
2017 State Champion on Floor, rings, and High Bar; 2nd Pommel, Vault, PBars, AA
Regional Championships: 2nd Floor, PBars; 3rd High Bar, AA
2018 State Champion on Pommel; 2nd Rings, Vault; 3rd AA
Regional Champion on Pommel, AA; 2nd Vault, Floor; 3rd Rings
2019 State Champion on Vault; 2nd Rings; 3rd Floor, AA
Regional Championships: 2nd Pommel, rings, AA; 3rd Floor
National Champion on Pommel Horse; 3rd AA, Floor
2021 National Champion on High Bar; 2nd Rings, 3rd Floor
2022 U.S. Classic Championships: 3rd Rings, Vault
USA Champion on Rings; 2nd Pommel; 3rd Floor, AA
U.S. Junior Men’s National Team Member
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