The Cardinal That Really Soars
AJ Bishop proves that hard work can take you far
By: Kilah Pfeifer & Addisen Bishop
For 7th grader AJ Bishop, gymnastics isn’t just a sport; it’s a passion. The 13-year-old gymnast has spent years training at Twisters Gymnastics in Grand Island, where he learns new skills and pushes himself to improve. What started as a way for his mom to keep an active three-year-old busy has turned into something he’s truly passionate about.
“I didn’t expect to like it this much, but once I started, I just wanted to keep doing it,” Bishop says.
Gymnastics has helped him become stronger, more confident, and more focused both inside and outside the gym. He usually trains three days a week, spending hours working on form, strength, and balance.
Right now, Bishop is focusing on several advanced skills, like mastering the moore, a trick where a gymnast balances on his hands while his legs spin around in a rotation on pommel horse. He’s also working on a double back (two consecutive back flips) off rings and on the floor, a blind change (a half rotating handstand) on high bar, and a tsuke pike (a jump, turn, and backflip with straight legs) on vault.
“Some days I mess up a lot, but I try not to let it bother me,” Bishop explains.
He knows that every fall or mistake is part of getting better. It takes patience and determination to land every move, and he’s willing to put in the work until he does.
“When I hit a skill I’ve been practicing, it feels really good,” Bishop says.
Out of all the skills he’s learned, Bishop says his favorite is the double back on the floor “because it’s fun and cool to watch and do.”
Even though gymnastics can be tough, Bishop really enjoys it. The gym feels like a second home where he can work hard and be around people who understand the dedication the sport takes. His coaches, Ethan, Andi, Justin, and Gary, push him to improve and support him through the difficult days.
He’s also built strong friendships with his teammates, including Nathen, Cooper, Reese, Nokila, Coye, Cain, and Brecken.
“I’m pretty close with all of them,” Bishop says. “I don’t really have a favorite. I like all of them.”
Whether they’re cheering each other on, learning new skills, or helping each other fix mistakes, the team is what keeps him motivated.
“We push each other and cheer each other on,” Bishop says.
Gymnastics has also helped Bishop in other sports by improving his flexibility, strength, and coordination, and giving him the ability to do some cool tricks.
Although he’s poured a lot into gymnastics, Bishop says he plans to wrap up his gymnastics career next year so he can focus more on other sports, such as football and wrestling. Still, everything he’s learned will stick with him.
“Gymnastics shows me that if I keep doing it, I’ll get better,” he says.
For him, it’s not just about winning or perfect routines, but instead about doing what he loves and improving a little at a time.