Father of nine-year-old trampoline whizz talks of his success
19/08/2009 Following his success in the Junior Olympics earlier this summer, nine-year-old Riker Bucci's father has been talking about how the youngster initially took an interest in the trampoline.
The youngster earned a gold medal in tumbling, a silver medal in double mini-trampoline and a bronze in trampoline at the Junior Olympics National Championships in June.
Riker spends 17-20 weekly hours in the gym which are a necessary physical therapy to help his joints, but it gives him a chance for structured social interaction as well as entertainment, father Dave Bucci told the Gazette.
"It gives him the stimulation his body actually craves," he said.
Bucci has a high-functioning level of autism that is accompanied by sensory issues that are helped by joint stimulation and grant a high tolerance for pain.
Before starting gymnastics classes at age three, Riker would jump off couches and otherwise alarm his parents with his antics.
"He was on his own and we brought him to the gym because we want him to be safe," his mother Lin Bucci told the news provider.
"It was kind of self-defence," Mr Bucci said. "He had no fear then, and he still has none."
The news comes as Hawaii's Nani Vercruyssen won the senior women's synchronized trampoline event with partner Alaina Williams at the Visa Gymnastics Championships.
The youngster earned a gold medal in tumbling, a silver medal in double mini-trampoline and a bronze in trampoline at the Junior Olympics National Championships in June.
Riker spends 17-20 weekly hours in the gym which are a necessary physical therapy to help his joints, but it gives him a chance for structured social interaction as well as entertainment, father Dave Bucci told the Gazette.
"It gives him the stimulation his body actually craves," he said.
Bucci has a high-functioning level of autism that is accompanied by sensory issues that are helped by joint stimulation and grant a high tolerance for pain.
Before starting gymnastics classes at age three, Riker would jump off couches and otherwise alarm his parents with his antics.
"He was on his own and we brought him to the gym because we want him to be safe," his mother Lin Bucci told the news provider.
"It was kind of self-defence," Mr Bucci said. "He had no fear then, and he still has none."
The news comes as Hawaii's Nani Vercruyssen won the senior women's synchronized trampoline event with partner Alaina Williams at the Visa Gymnastics Championships.
