Many have been waiting years for this. Former Cuban World Championships medalist Charlie Tamayo competed as a “guest”, scoring 13.100 on Floor (with problems) and 15.8 on vault. Tamayo defected to the U.S. during 2003 Worlds in Anaheim and is seeking U.S. citizenship.
From Don Eckert:
Charlie is coming off an injury and wasn’t able to train like he wanted but his talent is obvious and I would love to see him train the way that other have the privilege in this country because of their college/parent or help from USAG. I really believe he could help the USA team but has to prepare properly to do so.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
He certainly doesn’t look 100%. But I’m glad he finally competed in an American meet.
Charlie is a superb coach. Living now in San Diego, he’s available for camps and clinics.
related – more Tamayo – human highlight reel
4 comments ↓
OMG. When they slowed down the video to show the first guy’s vault, it totally sounded like the soundtrack from some movie.
Is he training other events? There are plenty of guys who can do 6.6+ vaults and 6.0+ floor routines. Floor and vault specialists should not be a priority for the US. What the US needs are guys who can do pommel horse.
Glad he is still training. This is why people have been coming to the US for generations. Freedom to do what you like. I hope he can find some sort of sponsorship.
BTW, I’m sure people like Scott Johnson, who had to work at McDonald’s after the 1984 Olympics to pay for his training and Mohini Bhardwaj, who was waitressing before Pamela Anderson came to her rescue, would take great exception to the notion that they were “privileged”
The one thing about America is that yes we have a freedom of choice but we all know those choices have consequences. And yes, America is a land of opportunity but you have to work for it. If it means coaching level 4’s, cleaning toilets at the gym, or working at McDonald’s, then that’s what you gotta do.
Leave a Comment