At just nine years old, Kaia-Lynn Quinata discovered her passion for gymnastics after wanting to learn a cartwheel and a back handspring. As her curiosity rose, it quickly turned into dedication and she now has been competing ever since. Now, years later, Kaia-Lynn continues to impress others with her hard work and determination to grow as a gymnast.

One of Kaia-Lynn’s biggest challenges in the sport came on the bars. She says the hardest skill she has ever had to learn was a giant flyaway, a move that tested her confidence as much as her strength. “It was mentally the most challenging skill I’ve ever had to do.” Kaia-Lynn says, “It took me over a year to start doing it consistently and confidently with the help of a different coach.” Overcoming that obstacle helped her realize how far her determination can take her.

Just like many other athletes, Kaia-Lynn looks to others for inspiration. The gymnast who inspires and motivates her the most is Khoi Young, a U.S. athlete who has battled injuries before the season and still fought hard enough to earn a spot as an alternate on the 2024 men’s Olympic gymnastics team. Kaia-Lynn admires his resilience and the way he continued to push forward despite his injuries and setbacks.

Before competing, Kaia-Lynn has her own strategy for staying calm. She closes her eyes and mentally runs through her routines, focusing on corrections from her coaches. “I remind myself that I can do a routine and that I’ve done it many times before,” she said. Visualizing before heading out onto the floor helps turn her nerves into focus instead.

Right now, Kaia-Lynn is working to perfect a Yurchenko lay/pike, a skill she hopes to build on so she can compete a Yurchenko double pike during a possible Level 9 season next year. Always pushing for the next step, she’s excited for what’s ahead.

While Kaia-Lynn seems to love the adrenaline of competition, her favorite part of gymnastics is the around her. She says her team feels like a family, with different personalities that come together through shared passion. Team sleepovers, gift exchanges, and everyday practices help them bond in a way that makes every challenge worth it. “I love the energy and power I feel during competition and getting to show what I’ve been working on.” she said.

For Kaia-Lynn Quinata, gymnastics is not just a sport, but a community, a challenge, and a path she’s excited to keep moving forward on.