Milford High School freshman Xander Dejkunchorn is officially one of the top young gymnasts in the country.
Dejkunchorn recently captured the all-around national championship in his age division at the USA Gymnastics Men’s Level 9 National Championships, finishing first overall against some of the nation’s top competitors. He also earned national titles on pommel horse and parallel bars while placing fourth on rings and seventh on floor exercise.
The accomplishment came after advancing through both state and regional qualifying competitions to earn a spot at nationals.
Level 9 is one of the highest levels in the organization’s Development Program and serves as a stepping stone to Level 10, the final level before elite competition. Athletes qualify for national competition only after advancing through regional championships.
Despite the national spotlight, Dejkunchorn said he tries not to focus on placements.
“I never go for placements,” he said. “I just go to have fun doing gymnastics. I’m just there to do my best.”
Dejkunchorn has competed in gymnastics for nearly a decade after first trying the sport as a child. Now, after years of training, he is preparing to move up to Level 10 competition next season.
His strongest events this year were pommel horse and parallel bars, helping him secure the national all-around title.
Parallel bars feature two elevated bars positioned side-by-side where athletes swing and transition between skills above the apparatus. Pommel horse requires athletes to continuously move and circle their bodies around a padded apparatus using only their hands for support.
Though the technical difficulty of the sport continues to increase, Dejkunchorn said gymnastics has taught him lessons beyond competition.
“It’s very hard,” he said, “but it teaches you a lot about being strong and persevering and being physically and mentally healthy.”
This was Dejkunchorn’s second appearance at nationals. He previously competed at the Level 8 national meet but said this season he came in with more confidence. He said he hopes to bring that same attitude of fun and confidence into Level 10 competition next year.
The USA Gymnastics Development National Championships annually bring together many of the country’s top young gymnasts from across the United States.
As he prepares for the next step in competition, Dejkunchorn said his long-term goal is to continue gymnastics at the collegiate level.
“Hopefully, if I keep going, I could get a scholarship for college,” he said.