Quick Chat With Ivana Hong
June 04, 2008Inside Gymnastics catches up with Ivana Hong, a member of the 2007 World Championships gold-medal-
winning U.S. women’s team, as she starts her Olympic push this week at the U.S. National Championships in Boston, Ma.
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: You competed in the recent international friendly event at the May Karolyi Ranch camp. How did that go for you?
IVANA HONG: It was good. The purpose of that meet was to help us get ready; those of us that haven’t competed at the first part of the season. That was just checking where we were before Championships and I think it went really well.
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: What kept you out of competition in the early going this year?
IVANA HONG: I was just coming off little injuries here and there. I guess I wasn’t, at that time, ready for those competitions. … [Now,] I’m doing good.
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: What do you need to do to make this Olympic team?
IVANA HONG: I think I just need to do the routines I know I can and just hit them. Just do my best.
I’m not really thinking of my outcomes right now. I’m just trying to work on the little details in these last couple of workouts before we compete and then just go out there and have fun.
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: Do you have anything new planned?
IVANA HONG: Yeah, I changed my difficulty up in a couple of events, and just kind of rearranged and put in a couple of [things], just to make it better.
[On] floor, I kind of added and changed around, [but] it’s the same routine. Bars we just kind of changed around, because of the Code and [what happened] last year at Worlds and stuff. And beam, pretty much the same thing. It’s all just [little stuff].
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: What was your Worlds experience like and how did it prepare you for this Olympic run?
IVANA HONG: Making that World team was a great experience. I think that definitely put us on, like, the next level. It was great to be out there, having experience before the Olympics. It’s just like being on the world stage, and that’s exactly what you want to feel, you know?
And [in] the preparation after that, we knew what to work on [because] of Worlds.
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: What do you think you need to improve on? You did win the gold medal and you can’t finish higher than first.
IVANA HONG: (laughs) Right but, I mean, you’re never perfect. There’s always something to work on. No matter how flawless that routine looked you know there’s something to work on, or add in.
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: Is there more pressure at Nationals this year, with an Olympic Games looming?
IVANA HONG: Umm, I think it’s the same. I don’t think it adds any more pressure or anything. Everyone starts again at the same level and we’ve got to do our job to keep our standards up.
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: Is there any strategy involved in staying at your peak level through these three qualifying competitions: Championships, Trials and the Selection Camp?
IVANA HONG: As far as training goes, I just follow [my] coaches’ plan. There’s the down time, and getting back up to routines, and just training to make that peak time come at the right time.
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: What do you think you can contribute to an Olympic team?
IVANA HONG: I think I just, I mean, I pay attention to all the details. We have the powerhouses and the artistic gymnasts and, I mean, I think this whole group of girls—we have such a unique blend of everybody.
There are specialists, there are all-arounders, there are powerful gymnasts, there are graceful gymnasts. I think I’m one of those graceful gymnasts, and I think it’s important to have a blend of all that.
So, yeah, I think I should [be on the Olympic team].
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: Is it nerve-wracking to compete knowing that the team will be, for the most part, selected, instead of going based solely on results, or is that something you’re used to by now?
IVANA HONG: Selection is pretty much how they select every team. No matter what meet it is, it goes to the last minute at the Selection Camp and they pick the team from there.
You know, it’s kind of both. If you do real well, you wish it were the results, you know, but it kind of just says that you have to do it again; you can’t just do it once.
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: What sort of relationship do you have with National Team Coordinator Martha Karolyi?
IVANA HONG: I think we all just try and look at her as another coach. It doesn’t do anything if we get all shaken up, like, ‘Oh my, there’s Martha,’ you know?
Everyone wants to do their best at all times, whether she’s watching or not. So, we just try and do our normal job.
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: Your whole family has given up a lot for your gymnastics career. Does that put more pressure on you to succeed and make this Olympic team or will you be fine either way?
IVANA HONG: It’s definitely not fine either way (laughs). I would never say that.
Umm, the sacrifices I’ve made—it doesn’t add any more pressure to make this team. I don’t need to make it any harder.
I mean, I’ve worked hard for this and this is the time, so I’m just gonna’ try my best and hopefully it works out for the best.
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: Are you feeling confident right now?
IVANA HONG: (without hesitation) Yes!
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: You mentioned the sacrifices you’ve made for the sport. What stands out for you as the most significant?
IVANA HONG: I mean, just having pretty much my whole family moving over here, just for my gymnastics, changing schools and cities. I mean, California to Missouri is kind of a big change. We have a lot of family in California.
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: What do your coaches, Al and Armine Fong, give you that you couldn’t get elsewhere?
IVANA HONG: They’re really good coaches. They know you so well. Even if you don’t say anything, they just know.
They’re always there for you. They don’t just teach you about gymnastics, [but also] how to control yourself. I mean, [through] ups and downs.
Right now, they’re just definitely giving me support and telling me that if I do my regular job, like I do at home, it will be fine.
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: Have you thought at all about the future, beyond August? Or are the Olympics all you can see right now?
IVANA HONG: I guess it’s kind of both. I’m gonna’ decide after [I see] what happens this August.
I have looked further down [the road]. I definitely want to do college gymnastics; I’m just not sure how long I want to stay at this stage.
The Olympics decide it, pretty much.
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: Do you struggle to keep yourself motivated at this high level?
IVANA HONG: No. That’s why we have down time. That just really relaxes you; working on parts, those little details. [Now,] getting back to routines is fun.
I mean, coming to Championships is the biggest meet so far of the year. The crowd really gets you pumped up.
