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When coaches Al and Armine Fong leave Great American Gymnastic Express to travel across the globe with their elite gymnasts, they know everything will be in good shape when they return to Blue Springs.
That’s because Vardan Sargsyan will be in charge in their absence.
“Vardan is my right-hand man; I would trust him with anything,” Al Fong said as Sargsyan ran a group of young gymnasts through a workout on one of the many mats inside GAGE during the week-long Dragon Summer Camp last week.
“Just look at how the kids respond to him,” Fong said, grinning, as the pixies cast a quick glance at Sargsyan, who smiles and nods in approval. “He’s been with us since February of 2003, and I don’t know what we would do without him.”
While the veteran coach and former gymnast has been on the GAGE staff since 2003, he has known Fong’s wife, Armine, since they were both world-class gymnasts in Armenia back in the 1980s.
“Gymnastics in Armenia was so much different than it is here in the States,” Fong continued. “The gymnasts all knew each other, lived with each other like brother and sister. Vardan and Armine were very close. That’s why we are so pleased to have him here at (our gym).”
Sargsyan says he feels at home, both at GAGE and in Blue Springs.
“I love it here – this is my home,” he said, taking a brief break from his gymnasts. “It is very, very exciting to be a part of something like this. Al and Armine are respected around the world, and I am here working with them.”
He knows the important role a coach can play in the development of a young gymnast.
“The coaches here are the best – the absolute best,” Sargsyan said. “And so are the facilities. We have heard so many compliments this week as all the girls are here for the summer camp.
“And the coaches who are here are complimentary, too. I really feel like I have found a home here. I have known Armine since we were gymnasts back in Armenia, and it is wonderful to be here now, working with her and Al.”
When coaches Al and Armine Fong leave Great American Gymnastic Express to travel across the globe with their elite gymnasts, they know everything will be in good shape when they return to Blue Springs.
That’s because Vardan Sargsyan will be in charge in their absence.
“Vardan is my right-hand man; I would trust him with anything,” Al Fong said as Sargsyan ran a group of young gymnasts through a workout on one of the many mats inside GAGE during the week-long Dragon Summer Camp last week.
“Just look at how the kids respond to him,” Fong said, grinning, as the pixies cast a quick glance at Sargsyan, who smiles and nods in approval. “He’s been with us since February of 2003, and I don’t know what we would do without him.”
While the veteran coach and former gymnast has been on the GAGE staff since 2003, he has known Fong’s wife, Armine, since they were both world-class gymnasts in Armenia back in the 1980s.
“Gymnastics in Armenia was so much different than it is here in the States,” Fong continued. “The gymnasts all knew each other, lived with each other like brother and sister. Vardan and Armine were very close. That’s why we are so pleased to have him here at (our gym).”
Sargsyan says he feels at home, both at GAGE and in Blue Springs.
“I love it here – this is my home,” he said, taking a brief break from his gymnasts. “It is very, very exciting to be a part of something like this. Al and Armine are respected around the world, and I am here working with them.”
He knows the important role a coach can play in the development of a young gymnast.
“The coaches here are the best – the absolute best,” Sargsyan said. “And so are the facilities. We have heard so many compliments this week as all the girls are here for the summer camp.
“And the coaches who are here are complimentary, too. I really feel like I have found a home here. I have known Armine since we were gymnasts back in Armenia, and it is wonderful to be here now, working with her and Al.”
