Feb. 25, 2024 - 12:00 p.m. ET
Kentucky International Convention Center - Louisville, Ky.

Andrea Li

2020

Andrea Li

Hometown:
Aurora, Illinois

Age:
18

Gym:
Legacy Elite
Aurora, Illinois

Qualifying Meet:
IGI Chicago Style Meet

            Bio
2019

Andrea Li

Hometown:
Aurora, Illinois

Age:
17

Gym:
Legacy Elite
Aurora, Illinois

Qualifying Meet:
Legacy Elite Classic

            Bio
2018

Andrea Li

Hometown:
Aurora, Illinois

Age:
16

Gym:
Legacy Elite
Aurora, Illinois

Qualifying Meet:
Classic Rock Invitational

            Bio

Instagram: @andreali32

Do you have a nickname? Andi

When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics? I became interested in Gymnastics when I was 3 years old. My parents always had me in the gym since they were coaches.

Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes? I was shoving goldfish in my mouth while getting up to compete beams.

When did you decide you wanted to compete? And, when did you want to compete at a high level? What about competition appeals to you? I decided I wanted to start competing at a very young age. I always watched the older girls and wanted to do the big skills just like them. It was just a build up and as soon as I knew it, I was there competing with them. I love competing because it is a reward to show all the hard work up until this point. I love to be around and support my second family.

What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics? I don’t really have a training regimen. I sometimes use creams when I am sore and ice after practice.

What is your favorite event? Floor

What is your favorite skill? Jaeger

What music do you use for your floor routine? Violin and piano

How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally? I have grown stronger and I have learned many new skills. Gymnastics has helped me overcome my fears.

How has gymnastics helped you as a person? Gymnastics has helped me by making me physically and mentally stronger. It has helped me problem solve and bring joy to others. I can look at the world from different perspectives.

If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be? Gymnastics has taught me discipline and determination.

What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career? My biggest accomplishment is winning the Nastia Liukin Cup 2016.

What grade are you in school? 10th grade.

Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics? Yes, I am going to the University of California Berkeley on a full ride scholarship.

What are your favorite subjects, etc.? Math, chemistry

If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there? Undecided

What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing? My goals for the future is to win level 10 Nationals.

When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities? When I am not in the gym, I like to be with my friends. I love to dance and ride my bike.

What is your favorite food? Pasta

What is your favorite movie? Maze Runner

What is your favorite book? Ruined

Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports? Both of my parents were in the 1984 Olympics and my sister was an alternate for the 2012 Olympics in gymnastics.

Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms? I use the same hair ties every meet.

What’s on your IPod right now? What type of music do enjoy listening to? How about before a meet when you’re trying to get focused and pumped up? Pop and some rap. Before meets I either listen to music or I watch youtube.

If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they? Flexible, graceful, and powerful

2017

Andrea Li

Hometown:
Aurora, Illinois

Age:
15

Gym:
Legacy Elite
Aurora, Illinois

Qualifying Meet:
Legacy Elite Winter Classic

            Bio

Q: Do you have a nickname?
A:
Andi

Q: When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
A:
I became interested in gymnastics when I was 4 because my parents brought me to the gym every day.

Q: Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
A:
When I was in Level 5, my sister was looking for me when it was my turn to compete on beam. She found me by the corner shoving goldfish into my mouth. I ended up getting on the beam with the goldfish.

Q: When did you decide you wanted to compete? And, when did you want to compete at a high level? What about competition appeals to you?
A:
I decided I wanted to start competing at a very young age. I always watched the older girls and wanted to do the big skills they could do. It was just a buildup and as soon as I knew it I was there competing just like them. I love competing because you get to show off the skills you’ve been working on for so long and cheer for your teammates.

Q: What is your favorite event?
A:
Floor

Q: What is your favorite skill?
A:
Jaeger

Q: How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally?
A:
I have grown stronger skill wise and gymnastics has helped me overcome fears.

Q: How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
A:
Gymnastics has helped me as a person by making me physically and mentally stronger.

Q: If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be?
A:
Gymnastics has taught me discipline and determination.

Q: What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
A:
Winning the Nastia Liukin Cup in 2016

Q: What grade are you in school, and where do you go to school?
A:
I’m in ninth grade at Waubonsie Valley High school

Q: Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics?
A:
Yes, I am going to UC Berkeley on a full ride scholarship.

Q: When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities? Charities?
A:
When I am not in the gym, I like to be with my friends. I love to draw and ride my bike.

Q: What is your favorite food?
A:
Pasta

Q: What is your favorite movie?
A:
Maze Runner

Q: What is your favorite book?
A:
Ruined

Q: Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports?
A:
Both of my parents were in the 1984 Olympics and my sister was an alternate for the 2012 Olympics in gymnastics.

Q: Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
A:
I eat steak or salmon the night before every meet and use the same rubber bands for my hair.

Q: If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they?
A:
Flexible, graceful, and powerful

2016

Andrea Li

Hometown:
Aurora, Illinois

Age:
14

Gym:
Legacy Elite
Aurora, Illinois

Qualifying Meet:
Circle of Stars

            Bio

1. Name, Age, Hometown:
Andrea Li, 14, Aurora, Ill.

2. Do you have a nickname?
Andi

3. Where do you live to train? (Not your hometown unless you train in hometown).
Aurora which is about 30 minutes away from Carol Stream.

4. When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
When I was really young, I actually started when I was 4. My parents are coaches and my sister does gymnastics.

5. Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
All I remember is getting my flip down for the first time.

6. When did you decide you wanted to compete? And, when did you want to compete on the elite level? What about competition appeals to you?
I compete at Level 10. It kind of came naturally. If I was going to be in the gym every day, then why not actually train.

7. What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics?
Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12:30 – 7 p.m., Tuesdays 2 – 6 p.m, Thursday 12:30-6 p.m., and Saturday 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

8. What music do you use for your floor routine?
Lindsey Sterling – violin type music.

9. Who is your idol? My sister. Why?
She is older, and she just loves gymnastics. She is always injured but always came back. She has always encouraged me.

10. How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
I think it has made me stronger like physically and mentally. You are not afraid to do lots of stuff.

11. If you had to select one life lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be?
Never quit and keep working as hard as you can.

12. What grade are you in and where do you go to school?
8th grade at Gregory R. Fisher Middle School.

13. What are your favorite subjects?
Math

14. What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing?
Get new skills and be able to get to nationals every year and maybe win. Have a job, help support my family.

15. When you are not in the gym, how do you spend your time? Hobbies or favorite activities?
I like to draw and hang out with my friends.

16. What is your favorite food?
I like steak and Salmon.

17. Favorite movie?
The Fifth Ways.

18. Favorite music group?
5th Harmony

19. Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
I always have to eat steak the day before I compete.

20. If you had to pick three words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what would they be?
Brave, graceful, and flexible.

21. If you had to pick three words to describe yourself not as a gymnast, what would they be?
Funny, weird, spontaneous.

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