Horton Heads Home Part 2

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Horton Heads Home, Part 2

After five outstanding years at the University of Oklahoma—years that included three NCAA team titles, an NCAA all-around crown, two world team berths and an Olympic trip that netted him two medals—Jonathan Horton is heading home to Houston. In part 2 of our interview, he talks about plans for 2009 and beyond…

INSIDE: What are your goals, gymnastically, for 2009?

HORTON: My goal for this year is to start competing again in July. I’ve been [asked to be a part of] a team competition in Japan. The top eight teams from the Olympics have been invited and it’s Olympic format: three-up, three count. I’m looking forward to that; to getting back into it. I think that will kind of prepare me for U.S. Championships.

Other than that, I’m trying hard to change some fundamental aspects of my gymnastics and learn new skills. I don’t know how much people will see it, but I’m working on being a different gymnast. Just having crisper lines; maybe step away from that signature Jonathan Horton-style. Because, you know, I don’t really like my style. I want to be a little bit prettier; more elegant and clean.

INSIDE: The last time we interviewed you in December, you were looking forward to American Cup. What made you decide not to take part in that meet?

HORTON: Honestly? Basically I called up [USA Gymnastics] and told [them] it would be a joke for me to go. I wasn’t even close to ready. [They told me they] respected that. And I kind of showed how not ready I was at Winter Cup (laughs). I wasn’t in the finest form. I still think it was important for me to get out there but, in terms of routine shape, I wasn’t ready. Obviously.

I’m still not ready. Like I said, I’m trying to change the fundamentals of my gymnastics.

INSIDE: Personally, this is a very big year: getting married, moving … Competitively, since there isn’t a team worlds this year, how important is this season to you, considering everything else you’ve got going on?

HORTON: This year definitely matters. Yeah, I’m gonna be getting married June 20, and then we’ll go to Antiqua, for a honeymoon. We’ll be gone four days. We get bored stuck in one spot so we figured we’ll have done everything and be ready to come home after that.

I think taking a four-day trip away from gymnastics will have some kind of effect on my training in June, but my goal is to be in such good shape by then that it won’t be a big deal. I will still be prepared for the two meets coming up after that.

This season is definitely important because it’s my one year to step away from competing and learn new skills, which you can’t do when you’re constantly competing. It’s my one chance to learn everything I possibly can to meet the requirements of the new Code. I don’t want to waste any time. It’s really important that I use this opportunity.

INSIDE: What has life been like for you since the Olympics?

HORTON: Everything that happened this summer has taken a ton of out of me. I’m completely exhausted, but I love every moment. I wouldn’t change anything for anything. The opportunities I’ve had, the tour, everything that happened. It doesn’t seem like I’m a completely changed person, but in a way, I am.

I get to do a lot of cool things that I never got to do in the past. It’s been a great transformation. Everything that happened this summer has motivated me to do it again. Heck yeah, I’ll train for four more years to do it all again, and hopefully be even better.

INSIDE: What are your long-term goals? What’s keeping you excited about another four years in the sport, at least?

HORTON: [First,] my short-term goal is learning the routines I want to be competing in 2012 as soon as possible.

I have two ultimate goals. And you may laugh when you hear them, but I don’t care.

The first is to be a leader on the U.S. team for the next four years and do such a good job that we can stand on top of the podium as a team at the next Olympics. Yeah, I’m talking about a team gold medal.

And the second is to be the Olympic all-around champion.

So, you may be laughing right now but, you know what? I tell everyone that if I go to the 2012 Olympics, have the greatest meet of my life and we do everything in our power and don’t win, or don’t even medal, I’ll still love it. I’ll love every minute of it. All the training. All the hard work.

Yeah, I have that ultimate goal, but if I try my best, and have the greatest meet of my life, I’ll have no regrets. None.

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INSIDE: Having the greatest meet of your life at the Olympics is something you’ve already experienced once. How did you pull that off?

HORTON: It was amazing and I can say I learned more from that meet than any other one. I’ve never been so excited with a bronze medal. Everyone knows me as that guy who got mad he didn’t win. But, after that meet, I knew we had done everything we could. All of us had incredible competitions. There’s nothing else you can do. You can’t be upset about that. Man, that’s amazing! I would go back and win a bronze over and over again and have that same experience. I don’t even care if it’s gold or not.

I learned a lot. The idea that it doesn’t matter what color medal, or if you walk away with one at all, as long as you enjoyed it. That was new for me.

INSIDE: Were you surprised by how “on” you were, or did you expect that performance from yourself?

HORTON: The funny thing is, yes, I kind of did. I always expect myself to perform like that. Now, I know I have the ability to do it. I think the moment you start to question your ability to hit is when it won’t happen. I stepped on the Olympic floor and I remember telling myself, ‘This is the time,’ and it happened. I stayed confident. I think the whole team did. Never once did we doubt each other, and when you have that mindset, you’ll have the competition of your life. And we did that.

INSIDE: How close are you and your Olympic teammates today?

HORTON: I’ve never experienced a bond like that. Well, I have with my NCAA team, but there is something about going to the Olympics on an international floor and bonding with the guys that represent your country. Representing your school and standing on the top of that podium with your 15-man [college] team is incredible, but there is one step above that, and that is standing on the Olympic podium with your six-man U.S. team, when no one thought you could do it. We’ll be friends for life.

Subscribe or Renew now to receive our 50 Most Photogenic Issue! Plus, receive a free poster of Olympic Champion Nastia Liukin when you order a 3-year subscription to Inside Gymnastics magazine! Subscribe or Renew now so that you don't miss a single issue! Back issues are also availablein our shopping cart.

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