By Linda Delmonico-Prussen
And his hard work paid dividends. Ori took home a silver medal on the pommel horse at the competition.
Inspired by watching the 1996 Olympic Games on television, Ori started training in gymnastics at age 10. Soon after, he began competing in the sport, and since, he has worked his way up to compete at Class 4 as of last year. This coming year, he will compete at Class 3. "Classes," or levels, in men's and boys' gymnastics start at Class 7, the easiest, and run through Class 1, the hardest, which is considered appropriate only for national-caliber gymnasts.
Most weeks during the year, Ori practices at South Shore Gymnastics in Oceanside at least five days and works out from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. on Saturdays. This summer, he's working at the gym, training recreational level, or non-competitive, gymnasts from 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. After, he works out on his own until 9.
Ori says he enjoys coaching. He trains boys and girls, but says he likes working with the girls better. "Usually, they're quieter," he says.
Ori is an A-average student, despite his aversion to homework. He is fond of music. He plays saxophone and clarinet and recently started experimenting with drums and piano. He is also considering running track for Calhoun High School, where he'll be a sophomore next year.
Ori loves to practice gymnastics, but injuries make working out a bit less fun. At Ori's level of competition, injuries are to be expected, and he has endured his share of them. "Ori grew very fast," his mother, Dorit Wilner, said. That growth spurt two years ago took
Wilner from 5'2" to 5'9" in record time and put him in
a full leg cast owing to Osgood Schlatter disease.
That didn't halt his training, though. "He was training on pommel horse," his mom said, "doing swings." She wasn't happy to see her son doing circles with the heavy cast on. Laughing, Ori explained that circles with the cast, once started, were easy, though he admitted that stopping could be tough.
Last year, Ori shattered his right pinkie while attempting a dismount. About six months later, a fall from the rings left him with a lower back injury. His mom said she heard the noise from the lobby when he landed on his back. Shortly after that fall, he broke his shoulder while on the rings.
As expected, the rings are not Ori's favorite event, but he excels at the apparatus. He recently finished first on rings at the New York State Championships. After disappointing himself on his favorite event, pommel horse, Ori said, "I just kind of got mad and hit it." Hit it, as in hit his routine and was awarded gold. Ori placed second on floor, third on parallel bars, third on high bar and third all around at the championships.
At the Regionals competition, which includes New York, New Jersey,
Connecticut, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia, Ori placed 11th on pommel horse and 18th overall.
Ori would like to compete on the Michigan gymnastics team in college. However, his mom, who competed for Israel at the Maccabi games in gymnastics and diving, said, "No way. I would like him to go to
a good school first; gymnastics is second." Ori is considering a career in science or medicine.
Concerning driving, Ori looks forward to getting his license, as does his mom. "I'm dying for him to drive," she said. "I'd rather him drive than go with someone else. Wherever he goes, he can drive," adding, "and he can take his sister with him!"
