Let’s talk about Khoi Young—a gymnast who’s equal parts talent, humor, and humility. Case in point? That time he smacked into a high bar during practice and then posted on Instagram, “Did not taste good.” Classic Khoi. Since flipping into gymnastics back in 2008 at the ripe age of six, he’s been stacking up the hardware, from national titles to world-class competitions. Oh, and let’s not forget he clinched a spot as an alternate for Team USA at the Paris Olympics. Humble brag? More like humble and hilarious, all thanks to the rock-solid support of his parents.

His dad once told The Baltimore Banner, “That impact is already getting there, even before getting to the Olympics,” and honestly, he’s not wrong. Khoi’s been making waves since day one, especially on the pommel horse—a piece of equipment most U.S. gymnasts would rather skip. Fast forward a few years, and he’s snagging NCAA silver on vault in 2022, leading Stanford to an NCAA team championship as a sophomore, and nabbing all-around and pommel-horse silver in 2023. By the time the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials rolled around in Minneapolis, he was ready for his Olympic moment. But here’s the real question: Who are these superhero parents, and how did they help Khoi chase his dreams?

Who are Khoi Young’s parents and how did they champion his athleticism?

Khoi Young’s parents might keep a low profile when it comes to their professions, but when it comes to their son’s gymnastics journey, they’re front and center for every flip, fall, and triumph. His dad, Kevin, and mom, Lucille Young, have been the steady foundation behind Khoi’s rise. Now 22, Khoi grew up in Bowie, Maryland, alongside his siblings—Kevin Jr. and Sara—where his athletic story began with a few casual somersaults at just six years old.

Khoi credits his parents for kick-starting his love of sports. They had him trying everything: swimming, karate, basketball—you name it. But it was a tumbling class at the Sports and Learning Complex in Prince George’s County that sparked something big. Lucille noticed how much he loved it, and when a coach suggested he dive deeper into gymnastics, she said yes. And just like that, a star was born. Fast-forward 14 years, and that little kid from Bowie is now racking up All-American honors at Stanford, dominating the NCAA scene, and winning medals on the world stage.

He’s still in his early 20s—well before the peak for many elite male gymnasts—but his achievements already feel like the prologue to something epic. “It’s been very satisfying to see what he’s doing—I have sunshine on a cloudy day,” his dad, Kevin, said, summing up what it’s like to watch his son shine. Khoi’s determination has always been crystal clear. Back in Prince George’s County, he told NBC Washington, “If I’m gonna do something, I want to do it in the best way possible.” And boy, has he delivered.

At just 13, Khoi dreamed of the Olympics—a lofty goal for most kids, but for him, it was just the beginning. By 20, he shattered records, becoming the first American male since Paul Hamm in 2003 to snag three medals at a single World Championship and the first since Kurt Thomas and Bart Conner in 1979 to claim multiple individual apparatus medals at one. At 21, he earned a spot as an alternate on the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2024 Paris Games. Through it all, Kevin and Lucille never stopped cheering him on.

Kevin, whom Khoi calls his top mentor and confidante, has seen firsthand how his son inspires others. “You look at the comments from all the people, there’s a lot of African American support for what he’s doing. … I think it will have an enormous impact. I’m very happy that Khoi sees the cultural importance of what he’s doing.” The world got a glimpse of this family’s bond in 2024 during an unforgettable, heartfelt moment.

Proud parents express joy at watching their son make it to his first Olympics

At the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kevin and Lucille Young were the ultimate hype squad. Watching their 21-year-old son Khoi Young dazzle on the vault, their reactions from the audience stole the show. NBC Olympics even shared the clip on their X handle, racking up over 62,000 views. And why not? Khoi delivered a standout performance.

and placed 15th in the all-around with a total score of 151.200. He shone on vault, finishing with a top score of 30.050 across two routines. His parallel bars performance was also notable, earning 28.950 for an 8th-place finish. However, he faced challenges on other apparatus, including pommel horse (25.900, 14th), floor exercise (27.950, 8th), and horizontal bar (25.350, 15th). Young also had a lower ring score of 13.000, ranking 16th. Despite not making the main Olympic team, his strong moments earned him a spot as an alternate for Team USA. For Kevin and Lucille, it was a full-circle moment.

“My parents involved me in multiple sports like swimming, karate and basketball. However, when my parents enrolled me in tumbling it led me to the gymnastics team and I enjoyed and excelled at it so much that I decided to pursue it,” Khoi Young told USA Gymnastics, reflecting on his journey. When Khoi officially qualified as an Olympic alternate, his father shared the pride and awe of seeing a lifelong dream unfold. “It’s been something that he talked about from being a little boy. The amazing thing is that he’s real-time living his dream. It’s kinda crazy.”