Steven Gluckstein Explained

Steven Gluckstein
Country:USA
Birth Date:24 June 1990
Hometown:Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:5'7"
Discipline:Trampolining
Level:International Elite
Natlteam:10
Club:Elite Trampoline Academy
Headcoach:Tatiana Kovaleva
Retired:2016
Show-Medals:yes

Steven Gluckstein (born June 24, 1990) is a former American 2012 Olympian in gymnastic trampoline.[1] He is a six-time National Men's US Trampoline Champion, five-time National US Men's Synchronized Trampoline Champion, and a six-time World Team member. In 2009, he and his partner Logan Dooley were the first gymnastic trampolinists in Team USA history to win a gold medal at a World Cup Series event. Gluckstein retired from competitive gymnastics in 2016 and is currently the head coach of the Junior U.S. National Trampoline team, as well as a trainer at Elite Trampoline Academy in New Jersey.[2] He also regularly works with his wife, Camilla Lopes Gomes, a top-ranked Brazilian trampolinist.

Personal life and early career

Gluckstein was raised in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, the son of Loretta (née Abke) and Steven Gluckstein, Sr., a Wall Street Money Manager.[3] [4] [5] He attended Henry Hudson Regional High School.[6] He has a sister Amanda, and a brother Jeffrey who is currently an international competitive trampolinist also representing the USA. The Gluckstein brothers have created a dynasty in competitive US trampoline.[7] Between both kin they have won every National Men's Trampoline Championship between 2009 and present (2019).[8]

In June 2016, just days before competing in the US National Championships which assisted in deciding the one man who would represent Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Gluckstein married fellow trampolinist, Brazilian Camilla Lopes.[9] They first met in Denmark in 2011 but later, after Lopes came to the US initially for a few months to train, they became romantically involved. The two currently live together in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. They also trained together at Gluckstein's long-time gym, Elite Trampoline Academy.

Early career

Gluckstein began his sporting life in taekwando where at 9 years old he reached the first degree of black belt.[10] Unfortunately, shortly after reaching his new rank his school closed. Gluckstein explains how he transitioned to trampoline: "Thanks to the sport (taekwando) I was strong, flexible, fast, and disciplined. I was set up perfectly for my next sport. However, little did I know what my next sport would be. 'A jockey, a cheerleader, or a gymnast' were the options my mother gave. She made this decision because the tallest person in my ancestry up to my great grandparents was 5'11" and in my immediate family is 5'8". I was the smallest kid in my school class."

Gluckstein further explains, "Against my will my mother brought me to gymnastics. I was hesitant to go into the gym because of the 'girly' reputation gymnastics sometimes gets, but once I was in there it was a blast! I was jumping on trampolines, swinging on bars, and flipping into foam pits. I was quickly approached by a woman, Tatiana Kovaleva, who was a 1996-1999 (trampoline gymnastics) World Champion from Russia that just recently moved to the United States. She asked my parents if I would be interested in joining the Trampoline team. Despite our lack of knowledge in the sport, they knew I would be great in it."

Competition

Gluckstein captured the first US Champion title of his career at the Visa Championships in August 2009, prevailing over the defending US Champion Chris Estrada with 108.8 points.[11]

Trampoline and Tumbling World Cup

At the 2009 Trampoline World Cup in Belgium, Gluckstein and his partner, Logan Dooley, earned the first US Gold Medal in Gymnastic Trampoline at a FIG World Cup event by winning the Synchronized Men's Trampoline title.[12] In 2010, the pair followed up that first with another for Team USA; Overall FIG Trampoline Gymnastics World Cup Series Champions - Men's Synchronized. The Series Champion in 2010 was determined by the team's top three finishes of the seven-series event. S Gluckstein/Dooley paired to take one silver and two gold medal finishes in Portugal, Switzerland and Spain, respectively. In the individual trampoline, Gluckstein finished 12th overall that year.[13]

National competition results

International competition results

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Open Letter to the Sport of Trampoline. https://web.archive.org/web/20161112154240/http://www.teamusa.org/News/2016/November/08/An-Open-Letter-To-The-Sport-Of-Trampoline-From-Olympian-Steven-Gluckstein. dead. November 12, 2016. Gluckstein. Steven. 2016-11-24. Team USA. 2019-07-18.
  2. Web site: Former Olympian Gluckstein trains Olympic hopefuls at Shore. Asbury Park Press. en. 2019-07-18.
  3. Web site: USA Gymnastics | Steven Gluckstein.
  4. Web site: Karl-W-Hepting-MICHIGAN - User Trees - Genealogy.com. www.genealogy.com. 4 December 2023.
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20120627132456/http://www2.teamusa.org/News/2012/June/26/Jumping-for-joy-disappointment.aspx?p=1 Jumping for joy disappointment
  6. https://web.archive.org/web/20151228235601/http://www.teamusa.org/usa-gymnastics/athletes/Steven-Gluckstein Steven Gluckstein
  7. http://usagym.org/pages/features/2011nt/gluckstein.html Steven Gluckstein - Trampoline
  8. Web site: Zeng Gluckstein Keep Winning Streaks Alive. https://web.archive.org/web/20190707062021/https://www.teamusa.org/News/2019/July/06/Laura-Zeng-Jeffrey-Gluckstein-Keep-Winning-Streaks-Going-At-USA-Gymnastics-Championships. dead. July 7, 2019. Bowker. Paul. 2019-07-18. Team USA. 2019-07-18.
  9. Web site: With Olympic selection days away, trampolinists Steven Gluckstein and Camilla Lopes marry. Grassie. Julia. NBC Olympics. en. 2019-07-23.
  10. Web site: Steven Gluckstein's Story - HSS Back in the Game. Back in the Game - Hospital for Special Surgery. 2019-07-23.
  11. http://www.acrobaticsports.com/detail.do?noArticle=2862&noCat=299&id_key=299 Vercruyssen and Gluckstein 2009 U.S. Champions
  12. http://usagym.org/pages/features/090928_gluckstein/ Steven Gluckstein is Golden at World Cup
  13. http://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=6490&prog= Dooley, Gluckstein win World Cup synchro title.