Feb. 2, 2009

BERKELEY - Sophomore Kyle Bunthuwong made his mark on the California men's gymnastics from his first competition as a freshman. This year, he was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation gymnast of the week for the week of Jan. 27. Bunthuwong won the all-around competition at the Stanford Open on Jan. 24, scoring an 88..700, which was a new career high, to lead the Bears to a meet victory. CalBears.com took some time to find out what it's like for Kyle to have his brother, Kyson, on the team with him and his life outside of the gym.

CalBears.com: What made you choose Cal? Where else were you recruited?
KB: "A lot of things made me choose Cal: the atmosphere of the Berkeley campus, the great Bay Area food, and of course, the team. After visiting Cal, I knew I wanted to come to this school, I already felt at home. (Maybe it's because I only live like 20 minutes away.) I was also recruited to Illinois and Michigan."

CalBears.com: Have you noticed any differences in between your freshman and sophomore years?
KB: "Yes. I noticed that, compared to last year, we've become closer as a team. In addition to becoming closer, the team motivation is higher and the dynamics are stronger than they were last year. I believe it is because we all have the same goal this year: to win an NCAA Championship."

CalBears.com: If you had a theme song, what would it be?
KB: "It would be `Go Hard or Go Home' by E-40, or that Space Jam theme song that we used to march out to when we were junior gymnasts."

CalBears.com: Who is the most serious person on the team?
KB: "It is hard to say. Everyone on the team can be serious when it's time to be serious."

CalBears.com: What's your favorite thing to do on a free weekend?
KB: "Go get dim-sum! Or sleep in."

CalBears.com: What's it like having your older brother on the team?
KB: "In the gym, Kyson is just another teammate. However, since we've basically trained together all through our career, he is the one person with whom I can really train. He knows my gymnastics inside and out. It is so easy to talk to him if I need help with anything at all."

CalBears.com: Name one unique/special talent you have (non gymnastics related).
KB: "A special/unique talent I have is being able to crack my knuckles anytime I want. It's pretty loud, too."

CalBears.com: What are you planning on or thinking of majoring in?
KB: "I am planning on majoring in sociology."

CalBears.com: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
KB: "I don't think I could eat just one food for the rest of my life because food in general is just too good."

CalBears.com: What question would you ask the next men's gymnastics teammate who is interviewed?
KB: "I guess it would be, `If there was going to be a movie about you, who would you want, as an actor (or actress, if you wouldn't mind), to play you?'"

For a complete listing of past Q&As with the California men's gymnastics team, click here or look on the sidebar on the main men's gymnastics page.