Chris Brooks, born on December 19, 1986 in Houston, Texas, was destined for greatness from a young age. With his father Larry as his inspiration, a former gymnast himself, Chris began his gymnastics journey at a very early age. He was a highly ranked junior in high school, and his talent was evident from the start. Chris quickly caught the attention of the gymnastics world and became a member of the U.S. Junior National Team from 1999 to 2001 and then again from 2002 to 2005.
In 2003, Chris made his mark on the sport by winning Gold at the USA National Championships. However, tragedy struck in 2004 when Chris suffered a serious injury that put his gymnastics career on hold. Despite this setback, Chris was determined to come back stronger than ever.
Chris continued his gymnastics journey at the collegiate level, competing for the Oklahoma Sooners from 2005 to 2009. He was an integral part of the team that won a national championship in 2008, and he was named captain of the team in 2009. His time at the University of Oklahoma shaped him into the world-class gymnast he is today.
Throughout his career, Chris has achieved great success at the national level, taking home Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals at the US National Championships for events such as Horizontal Bar, Parallel Bars, and All-Around. In 2012, he made a statement by winning four Golds and a Silver at the Pacific Rim Championships. Additionally, he has two Bronze medals from World Cup events in Tokyo and Worcester in 2010.
Outside of gymnastics, Chris has faced personal challenges that have shaped him into the resilient athlete he is today. His family has played a significant role in his life, with his brother and sister also competing as gymnasts. Chris was coached by his brother Nick for two years, further strengthening the bond between them.
In 2008, tragedy struck when Chris lost his father in a car accident. Despite this heartbreaking loss, Chris found a way to honor his father's memory by continuing to pursue his passion for gymnastics. His father's legacy lives on in the dedication and perseverance that Chris displays every time he steps onto the mat.
Throughout his career, Chris has trained alongside some of the best in the sport, including Olympian Jonathan Horton. His dedication to his craft and relentless pursuit of excellence have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers. As a Junior, college, and Senior elite gymnast, Chris has proven time and time again that he has what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of competition.
In October 2021, Chris announced his engagement to fellow gymnast Jordyn Wieber, further solidifying his commitment to the sport and to his personal life. With his sights set on even greater achievements in the future, Chris Brooks continues to inspire the next generation of gymnasts with his passion, talent, and unwavering determination.