4 interesting facts about Jamaican gymnast, Nicholas Tai
- His talent in art
Although being talented in the gymnastics world, Tai is highly skilled in art and has created his own business in customising trainers. He is thankful to God for his gift, but believes it is through genetics due to his mother being very talented in art as well; art came naturally to him as well as gymnastics.
Tai started selling customised T-shirts on his Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/entitybeetz/), then started to focus on customising trainers, due to a limited market for them in Jamaica. His following on social media grew, especially from the recognition he got through Buzz magazine. https://buzz-caribbean.com/life/entitybeetz-changing-the-sneaker-game-with-exclusive-customs/. Tai is generous with the prices, stating that he charges less then what people would usually charge for customised trainers; charging 21,000 Jamaican dollars which is 112 Pound Sterling.
2. Mostly self-taught and self- funded
Tai states it’s hard to get funding for anything else other than, football or track and field in Jamaica. When he left school he started coaching gymnastics, to fund himself for his training and gymnastics career. He has been coaching for eight years and teaches gymnasts from the age of four and upwards. Hence why, Tai started his business in customising shoes — to have another form of income to fund for his gymnastics. As well as, Tai having to “train smart”. A few years ago, his gymnasium moved locations and didn’t build a safety foam pit; the gym is also not air conditioned which makes it hard to train due to overheating frequently. He doesn’t get regular check-ups or assessments and fears injuring himself during training.
3. His father was a karate expert and exposed him to gymnastics
Tai’s father took him to a local gymnastics club when he was seven years old. On the left side of the gymnasium, karate was being practiced and on the right side, gymnastics. He was captivated by the gymnastics on the right side and was amazed watching gymnast, Shannay Gentles in training; he instantly knew gymnastics is what he wanted to do. Having a sporting figure to look up to, Tai didn’t take any notice of the comments he faced in school due to the stereotype of gymnastics being a “girls sport”. He did his best skills at school shows and thoroughly enjoyed the recognition he received after. “They only see it and have that perception that you’re wearing a girl’s outfit…It’s not a male or a female outfit…it’s your suit”.
4. His love for dogs
Tai has an Akita named ‘Tokyo’ and is very fond of her. Tai posts the dog on his social media frequently and even has an Instagram account for Tokyo. His followers on social media, enjoys the content he posts with his dog, commenting on how “cute” she is.
