Jonah Hahn: vaulting to the top
June 2, 2023
Liberty junior Jonah Hahn pulls open the door and walks into Metropolitan Gymnastics, already feeling the comradery and passion in the air.
“The brotherhood and enjoyment of it get you fired up. Just going to the gym is a really good feeling,” Hahn said.
Hahn is a level ten gymnast, the last and highest gymnastics level before the elite level. To maintain and develop his advanced skills, Hahn adheres to a rigorous practice schedule, and with all the time he spends at Metropolitan, it has become like a second home to him.
“I practice four hours, five days a week. It’s a big commitment, but I love it. As long as you’re committed to the sport, it’s not a problem,” Hahn said.
Hahn started gymnastics at two years old, and he’s continued with the sport ever since. At nine, he started entering competitions.
“When I was younger, my mom put me in gymnastics classes instead of daycare. As time passed, I realized that I was actually kind of good at it, so I started competing,” Hahn said.
From December to May, Hahn competes in a variety of local, regional, and national competitions, traveling far and wide. The events can be as close as one week apart or as far as a month apart.
“I do six events for competition. I’d say my best event is probably pommel horse,” Hahn said.
The pommel horse event involves a floor-supported, padded cylinder with two handles (or pommels) on top and is used for balancing, rotating, and swinging movements.
“I’ve been good at it since I was a kid, so I just stuck with that,” Hahn said.
Although Hahn is glad he stayed with gymnastics and began competing, it’s taken time to develop his passion for the sport.
“I used to hate gymnastics. I wasn’t able to do it well, and I didn’t go to practice,” Hahn said.
Gymnastics is a demanding sport: the skills are difficult, and the time commitment is significant. Hahn watched friends quit because they got frustrated with their progress.
“My mindset is that if you keep working at it, you’ll eventually get it. Great work takes time,” Hahn said.
Hahn learned many valuable lessons in gymnastics, and over the years, the sport shaped him as a person.
“What’s really changed me is the leadership. I’m one of the team captains now. My younger self never would’ve thought I’d get to this point.”
The Metropolitan Gymnastics community is like a family to Hahn, and he strives to support his teammates and set an example, so he can be the best leader he can be.
“Keeping my team intact and together, bonded and committed, drives each of us to achieve our dreams and goals.”
In the future, Hahn plans to continue with his passion by competing on an NCAA or other college team.