Former Oakley man excels on global stage

Padilla credits his continued success to his support system;”from family, friends, teammates, and even competitors. I am so lucky to be able to have so many people around me to push me to keep going,” he said. “Someone I owe so much to is my coach, Sven Nielsen. He has helped me for years, and is one of my biggest motivators. Without him, I would be nowhere close to the athlete I am today.”

The USA all-around team took home a silver medal. Padilla was also a member of the team that won a bronze medal in the team double mini, leading the qualifications with a score of 30.000.

Padilla began gymnastics lessons in Oakley when he was 5, eventually joining the U.S. Gymnastics national team when he was 14. He would later relocate to Utah. Padilla is part of the Wasatch Trampoline & Tumbling Club in Utah where he trains for about 15 hours a week and coaches for about 20.

Padilla averages 10 events per year, regularly finishing in the top three since 2014, according to his official USA Gymnastics profile page. His ultimate goal is making it to the Olympics.

‘I hope to be an inspiration to those around me as well as to the athletes I currently coach,” he said. “What I’m looking forward to next is the upcoming season where we will begin the Olympic process for 2024 Paris.”