Gilmore Junio

www.gilmorejunio.com/
twitter.com/cdnhappygilmore
www.facebook.com/Gilmore-Junio-582537381821299/

Reason for choosing this sport	"I transitioned to speed skating after playing ice hockey. My dad saw an advert on television for a speed skating camp and thought I'd be good."
Name of coach	Mark Wild, CAN, from 2017
When and where did you begin this sport?	He took up the sport in 2003 in Calgary, AB, Canada.
Club / Team	Club Ichiban: Calgary, AB, CAN

Memorable sporting achievement	Competing at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. (Athlete, 23 Nov 2019)
Nicknames	Gil, Chipotle, Happy Gilmore (Facebook page, 24 Feb 2014; longtracklongshot.com, 25 Jan 2011)
Other information	SPORTING GESTURE He qualified to represent Canada in the 1000m at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi but ended up giving his place to teammate Denny Morrison, who Junio felt had a better chance of claiming a medal. Morrison went on to win silver in the race. "It was an amazing time in my life and something I don't regret. Seeing Denny on that podium validated everything for me. It was great Canada and the world got to know me on a more personal level, but at the end of the day I am an athlete and what I want to accomplish is getting on the podium," Junio said. (cbc.ca, 10 Nov 2016, 11 Feb 2014) STAYING CALM He claims to have broken his hand on more than one occasion when he was younger, having punched a wall or chair following a bad performance during a race. In 2014 coach Michael Crowe suggested he should try yoga, which he hoped would give Junio a different outlook on the sport. "I'm still getting the benefits from breathing and being in those poses, being in the moment and not caring what's going on around me. That's one of the biggest things that has calmed me down. It has allowed me to go through training and life more unassuming, being excited for where I'm at in that moment, staying grounded and not being too caught up in results, numbers and the Olympics, which is easy to do," Junio said. (cbc.ca, 10 Nov 2016) SWITCHING DISCIPLINES In 2009 he sustained a fracture in two vertebrae after a short track crash, which led him to take up speed skating. "Even with that I refused to give in. Not wanting the injury to put an end to my goal of representing Canada that season, two days after returning from Quebec I was back training. But I had switched my focus from short track to speed skating, where the risk of falling and re-injuring myself was much less." (gilmorejunio.com, 06 Aug 2011; speedskating.ca, 12 Apr 2011)
Most influential person in career	His teammates Jamie Gregg and Denny Morrison. (Athlete, 23 Nov 2019)
Hero / Idol	Canadian ice hockey player Jarome Iginla, Swiss tennis player Roger Federer. (Athlete, 23 Nov 2019)
Awards and honours	He was named the 2014 Skater of the Year by the Alberta Amateur Speed Skating Association [AASSA] in Canada. (schaatsen.nl, 02 May 2016) He was named the 2010 Male Junior Athlete of the Year in Alberta, Canada. (speedskating.ca, 12 Apr 2011)
Injuries	In 2009 he sustained T5 and T8 compression fractures to his back after crashing during a race. He returned to competition about two months later. (Athlete, 03 Dec 2015; gilmorejunio.com, 06 Aug 2011; Athlete, 23 Nov 2019)
Sporting philosophy / motto	"Always learn. Always grow. Give what you have." (Athlete, 13 Nov 2017)
Hobbies	Playing the guitar, spending time with friends, technology. (cbc.ca, 10 Nov 2016)
Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs	He likes to have a steak dinner before competitions. (NOC Media Guide, 2014)