Rochester gymnast makes three straight Special Olympics

Rochester, New York – A Rochester gymnast, Maddie Csont has made her third straight Special Olympics USA Games.

Following appearances in Seattle and Atlanta, this year in Florida – she will be competing in the all-around, as well as those individual events.

At four months old, she was adopted from Korea, and not long after in middle school, she vaulted into gymnastics. She’s competing again at 28 years old, after years of training, and is showing off her skills on the floor, the uneven bars, the vault, and her favorite, the balance beam.

“When I’m up on the beam, I get to do all these fun leaps, and jumps, and things I wasn’t able to do before,” she said.

By her side is her gymnastics coach, the well-renowned Sarah Jane-Clifford from the Gymnastics Training Center of Rochester. “She helps me become a much better gymnast, she helps me get over my fears,” Csont said. “Without her, I wouldn’t be the gymnast I am today.”

According to Maddie, she loves competing, making friends, and traveling; so it’s fitting this year that she can visit Disney World this time around. She also serves on the Athletic Leadership Council for the Special Olympics. Part of that work is to inspire with her message. “I did not expect to go again, I just feel happy and excited to show everybody all this hard work that I’ve done,” she said.