For the Tokyo Olympics this summer, For The Win is helping you get to know some of the star Olympians competing on the world’s biggest stage. Leading up to the Opening Ceremony, we’re highlighting 23 athletes in 23 days. Up next up is Sam Mikulak.
Sam Mikulak is out on the gymnastics floor proving that age is just a number.
At 28 years old, Mikulak is about to be a three-time Olympian, and the six-time U.S. all-around champion is the only member of Team USA’s men’s gymnastics team with Olympic experience. He’ll also be the first U.S. gymnast to compete in three Olympics since Blaine Wilson in 2004.
After dealing with several injuries in the last year, the Newport Beach, California native finished fourth at Olympic Trials. He’s joined by Brody Malone, Yul Moldauer, Shane Wiskus and Alec Yoder.
In the 2012 London Games, Mikulak finished fifth on vault, and in the 2016 Rio Games, he was fourth on high bar (also called the horizontal bar), eighth on floor and seventh in the all-around competition. The U.S. also came in fifth in the team competition in both those Games.
And now he’s off to Tokyo to compete for his first Olympic medal. Here are five things to know about Mikulak.