One week before the Trampoline World Cup in Coimbra, Portugal, Simon Smith is ready for his latest practice session at Utah Valley Trampoline and Tumbling in Orem.
He stretches, does a few backflips and then, donning a USA Gymnastics shirt, focuses on the task ahead — two mini trampolines, one flat and one angled, that when connected form the basis of an uncommon, but exhilarating, sport. Double mini.
The whole routine is over in a matter of seconds but takes years of practice to execute. That's why Smith is one of 40 athletes representing Team USA at the Trampoline World Cup, where he will compete in double mini, beginning July 7."I can know within 3 inches of where I'm going to land on the trampoline," he said.
"I'm definitely a lot more competitive with myself, rather than others," he said. "I'm definitely motivated by what other people do, but I've always wanted to push myself and push my own limits to see what I've been able to accomplish." That didn't last long. Smith, now 21, soon began competing in trampoline before a motorcycle accident broke his femur in half as a teenager. But he fought back from injury and qualified for this year's Trampoline World Cup despite a two-year hiatus in North Dakota serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After his return in November, Smith scored well enough at several major competitions throughout the country to qualify for the World Cup.
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