Gymnast with local roots, local sponsors works toward Olympics

‘My goal is to make the National Team and the Olympic team in 2028’- Zaiden Kyte, gymnast

By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – A 15-year-old gymnast with Campbell County roots is working towards the Olympics. Zaiden Kyte (top photo) lives in Powell, and his grandmother Debbie Hill lives in La Follette.

Kyte is a very successful gymnast locally and nationally and has had a” phenomenal” year in competition. His “ultimate goal is to make it to the Olympics.”

“He puts in the blood and the sweat, and I do the tears,” his grandmother Debbie Hill said. She also said she is so incredibly proud of her grandson and all the hard work he has put in towards his goal.

Kyte competed this year as a Level 10 Junior Elite gymnast for GymTek Academy. He competed at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Stanford University, and at The Horton Challenge in Ft. Worth, Texas, where he placed 1st All Around in Region 8.

From there, he competed in State and Regionals where he qualified for Nationals. He left Nationals in a top 9th spot qualifying him for US Championships where Senior athletes at this meet qualify for the Olympic trials. 

Zaiden Kyte competed this year as a Level 10 Junior Elite gymnast for GymTek Academy.

He left Championships just shy of his goal in 8th place in the U-S, however he did receive a National Team Camp invite which will take place in Denver, Colorado, this fall at the Olympic training center.

He heads to Sarasota, Florida, this week for a week of training camp.

“My goal is to make the National Team next year and to continue to work hard and to get multiple college offers and eventually make the Olympic team in 2028 and 2032,” Kyte said.

According to his grandmother, “Zaiden is one of the most dedicated and determined individuals” and he has “competed in so many different places this year.”

“He practices every day and works so hard, and it is just unbelievable what that child can do,” Hill said, adding that he “competed against 16- and 17-year-olds.” Zaiden trains from 9 to 5 each day.

“He doesn’t compete on his age; he wants to compete up. He and his coach are working on his difficulty skills for next year. Gymtek in Knoxville is one of the top training centers in the nation. His coach is awesome and loves Zaiden’s commitment, his support of his teammates and his overall work ethic,” Hill said.

Kyte said he wanted to thank everyone who follows him, believes in him and encourages him along the way. He said a special thank you to his parents Brian and Whitney Kyte for their support of him over the years, as well as his siblings.

“I want to thank my family for all that they sacrifice to help me chase my dreams.  My summer training schedule is intense with multiple trips back and forth to the gym all 5 weekdays.  My Dad, Mom and Sister all get up early and take turns taking me to train,” Kyte said.

He also wanted to “thank his sponsors, including several local businesses.”

Zaiden Kyte heads to Sarasota, Florida, this week for a week of training camp.

Local sponsors include JPS Walk-In Tubs & Home Improvement, Cross-Smith Funeral Home, and Isaac’s Gym.

I want to thank each and every one that has helped to sponsor me.  This helps tremendously as we have an insurmountable amount of travel from California to New York and everywhere in between,” Kyte said.

He also wanted to thank his coaches Matt Henry, Jim Ellis and Andrew Richards for “pouring all they have into me, both physically and mentally preparing me to be the best competitor I can be.”

“They have helped me be prepared to both win and fail and still be ready for what comes next.  We have a saying at our gym that we should be cocky enough to know we can win, yet humble enough to know we won’t always win. This type of training is hard on both your mind and your body.  Gymnastics is my favorite thing.  And I have the grit and determination to put in the time and energy to make my dreams come true,” Kyte said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/25/2024-6AM-PHOTOS SUBMITTED)