Anne Woods: A Weekend for Superheroes
5-Year-Old Gymnast a Worldwide Sensation, But at What Price?
Filed under: In The News, Weird But True, Amazing Kids
At age 5, most kids are reading Dr. Seuss, if they can read at all. The next book Giuliano Stroe cracks open might be the Guinness Book of World Records.
That's because Giuliano is entered in a highly improbable category for a kindergartner: Hand walking. The little guy holds the world record -- 10 meters (or 33 feet) for walking on his hands.
Forgot to mention: With a weight ball between his legs.
That isn't Giuliano's only claim to fame. These days, the Romanian-born gymnastic prodigy is a YouTube sensation with the little guy showing off his washboard abs and an array of scary tricks in more than 60 videos. As of this morning, one of those -- showing Giuliano doing back flips off a kitchen table -- has been watched an astonishing 4.2 million times. So, hurray for Giuliano who obviously packs big talent in that little, muscle-bound body.
But we wanted to hear from a grown-up in that family.
ParentDish reached Giuliano's father and coach, Iulian Stroe to ask why he's training his 5-year-old like a Navy SEAL. Forgot to mention: With a weight ball between his legs.
That isn't Giuliano's only claim to fame. These days, the Romanian-born gymnastic prodigy is a YouTube sensation with the little guy showing off his washboard abs and an array of scary tricks in more than 60 videos. As of this morning, one of those -- showing Giuliano doing back flips off a kitchen table -- has been watched an astonishing 4.2 million times. So, hurray for Giuliano who obviously packs big talent in that little, muscle-bound body.
But we wanted to hear from a grown-up in that family.
He told us that there isn't anything excessive about his son's workout routine and that people misjudge him and his young son.
"It's not wrong what we do, because I did the same things [when] I was a little boy and I am healthy and strong," Stroe wrote in an e-mail.
He doesn't pay much attention to critics who don't know anything about him or his son.
"They say these things because they are lazy people. They find motivation in not doing sport."
Stroe lives with his family in Italy; he coaches his son five days a week, with sessions lasting three hours. Giuliano has a 3-year-old workout partner, his younger brother, Claudio.
And what does the boys' mother think of her little ones hand-standing and back-flipping around the kitchen?
"She is very proud," according to Stroe.
Sports prodigies are rare, of course. But some parents are working just as hard as the Stroes to turn their little ones into sports champs. Keith O'Dell Jr., a 2-year-old pool shark, chalks up his cue two- to three hours a day.
The world's youngest boxer may be 7-year-old Wayne "Bam Bam" "Pretty Boy" Lawrence, who in addition to ring skills, has his own Web site, a hit single and has been featured in a documentary.
Then there's four-year-old tennis whiz Mia Lines, who already has a career ambition: Win Wimbledon.
ParentDish sports reporter Mark Hyman is the author of Until It Hurts: America's Obsession With Youth Sports and How It Harms our Kids (Beacon Press).
Have a suggestion for an article on youth sports? Contact Mark at pdyouthsports@aol.com.
Related: More on Sports
ParentDish sports reporter Mark Hyman is the author of Until It Hurts: America's Obsession With Youth Sports and How It Harms our Kids (Beacon Press).
Have a suggestion for an article on youth sports? Contact Mark at pdyouthsports@aol.com.
Related: More on Sports
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- im not required to issue summons if in poverty? how could a court dismiss a complaint without a response from the defendants? is this same as to rep...
- Hi I'm going to be a mommy for the first time. Would it be okay to name my first child, if a boy, after my father's name?
- Can you help me with my 4 year old autistic son Myles' Petition for Free Autism Education in the Public School System
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Reading and Masculinity
More people are literate than ever before, buying books hand over fist, while circulations of magazines and newspapers are up too. People join book clubs in droves, Richard and Judy and Oprah promote new books on TV, and new technology is apparently about to Kindle a new love affair with e-books. So do we really need a National Year of Reading sponsored by the government and a host of other organizations? In this video, Nicolette Jones discusses questions of masculinity and reading.
-
10 Books to Read Before They Hit the Big-Screen - Part 1
From Water For Elephants to One Day, some of our favorite books are hitting the big screen this year! Buzz has given us our reading lists, and here are the top 10 we think you should pick up before the movie premieres. Whether you're picturing Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon acting out their epic love, catching up on the cultural phenomenon that is The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, or heading to the beach with Something Borrowed - check out part one of our reading list.
-
Basic Literacy Versus Advanced Reading
More people are literate than ever before, buying books hand over fist, while circulations of magazines and newspapers are up too. People join book clubs in droves, Richard and Judy and Oprah promote new books on TV and new technology is apparently about to Kindle a new love affair with e-books. So do we really need a National Year of Reading sponsored by the government and a host of other organizations? In this video, Nicolette Jones discusses what levels of reading a society should aim for.
-
10 Books to Read Before the Big-Screen Movies - Part 2
From The Help to On the Road to Breaking Dawn, tons of great books are getting the big-screen treatment this year. If you're trying to decide what to peruse before hitting theaters, let us help you out! We've narrowed down our list of must-reads to 10. Check out part one here where we covered fan favorites like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Water For Elephants, and now take a look at these final five picks!
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 5 of 6)
10-30-2009 @ 8:05PM
AlmostMommy said...In 15 years this kid will be major trouble for the US in the Olympics.,,
Reply
10-30-2009 @ 8:07PM
lexygolf said...that lil guy already has a 6 pack!!!!! incredible!
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 9:19AM
Dragonfly said...I started ballet when I was five. Since I wasn't that crazy about it I switched to acrobatics at age seven and loved it so much I continued through highschool. My classes were two days a week and we had mats in the basement to practice on. I was required to spend one hour a day doing just that. However, I practiced for at least another hour a day because I loved it so much. I was also the star in recitals. No one ever pushed me with practice. It was my love of dance and sports that pushed me. I'm now sixty-six and can attest to this not having any adverse affects on me.
Reply
11-04-2009 @ 2:38PM
bob said...I agree with LS nothing spectacular here. i have two daughters in gymnastics and they were doing these same stunts by this age, and the training is pretty standard except i agree drop the weight lifting. The prent must be in gymnastics.
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 10:15PM
Sasha said...Are you over 18 yrs of age adult really serious about loosing weight? I lost 30 pounds in 2 1/2 months with slimming capsules found at www.SlimmingSolution.Net. Try it today! Read FAQ's.
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 12:22PM
Raquael said...I'd like to ask all the people that think this is great if you know anything about proper weight training? Anything at all?? I love how people are inclined to give their opinion on a subject they know NOTHING about. Idiots. The body weight exercises he's having his son do are not bad. But the weight training is detrimental to a child so young and still growing. Especially because the dumbass father doesn't even have the child employ proper form and the weights are obviously too heavy for him. What a shame.
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 12:35PM
Maritza said...All that exercise is going to stunt his growth.
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 4:34PM
davide463 said...Freakish if you ask me.
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 4:40PM
Jane said...I think it is amazing and very cool. The little boy is definitely into it! My only concern is the weights. Is it good to have so much muscle buildup at such a young age?
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 6:06PM
jud said...At this age the child needs a bit a body fat and it seems as if this kid has none. I believe in excercise, but I feel that this is excessive. He is a child, not an ape that will be swinging through trees. I also think that his testerone level will be too high for his age and maybe he will have problems controlling his temper and rages. I wonder what dad does for a living and how does mom deal with this. I bet the kid does not have many friends because of all this excessive training. Teach the kid other things please that he can use in the real world. An accident is waiting to happen and maybe damage the kid for life. Is it really worth that. I don/t see anyone spotting him jumping off the table and other things. Why does this father think this is so important. Stop living through your kids please. Let them be kids and not little incredable hulks.
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 8:01PM
jenniy said...this isnt normal for a five year old. why would the parents encourage that kind of thing?
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 8:34PM
Janice said...child abuse
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 9:06PM
Di in OC said...He is either a freak of nature or had a little steroid cocktail in his juice.
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 9:42PM
lynn said...I agree with dixie, this kind of work out at that age is going to stunt his growth (height) and that is sad for the kid because he doesn't know any better. His parents should do their research. I bet his dad is short too. I hope he really enjoys what he is doing because he is already looking a little bit odd.
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 9:50PM
Jim Fedullo said...THIS KID IS AMAZING. HIS BALANCE IS UNBELIEVABLE. AS A RETIRED MARTIAL ARTIST W/ 12 BLACK BELTS IN 3 STYLES & 5 CHAMPIONSHIPS, I HAVE TRAVELED THE WORLD AND SEEN THE VERY BEST. THIS KID IS A TRULY A PHENONENUM. I MET BRUCE LEE IN GERMANY AND AGAIN IN THE STATES WHEN HE 1ST CAME OVER, WATCHED HIM TRAIN & WAS AMAZED AT HIS FLEXIBILITY. THIS KID HAS MANY POSSIBILITYS. I WOULD WARN THE PARENTS TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH HIS TRAINING, SIMPLY BECAUSE HE IS STILL VERY YOUNG & GROWING AND HIS MUSCLES & JOINTS ARE STILL VERY FRAGILE. YOU COULD ACTUALLY STUNT HIS GROWTH SOMEWHAT OR HE COULD DEVELOPE CHRONIC PHYSICAL PROBLEMS LATER IN HIS CHIDHOOD.MAKE SURE HIS MENTAL & EMOTIONAL DEVELOPEMENT COINCIDES W/ HIS PHYSICAL ABILITIES. HIS ABILITIES ARE LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF MOST KIDS HIS AGE. I WAS AVERY GOOD ATHLETE AT 15, FIGHTING SEMI PRO AGAINST SOME OLDER AND MORE EXPERIENCED TALENT AND STEADILY BEATING THEM. A RECORD OF 114.111.79 WASN'T A BAD RECORD TO RETIRE WITH.
Reply
11-01-2009 @ 8:45PM
olivia said...Though I do think it looks a little disgusting when he is doing all of the back flips and weight lifting, I don't think there is anything wrong here. He looks like he's having a lot of fun, and hopefully his passion stays with him till when he's older.
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 10:28PM
playa-hater said...The kid is incredible, exercises are good for all kids, but too much is not good. Weight lifting is definitely out.
Some parents shameless live through their kids. This is one of them.
On that note, what ever happened to "little Hercules"
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 10:46PM
chris said...What the hell is it with eastern block countries and freakish child athletes?
Reply
10-31-2009 @ 11:23PM
Meggs said...All I can ssay is, i dont want to get in a fight with that child...He can probably beat his own father up when he becomes a teen!
Reply
11-01-2009 @ 12:01AM
Mellissa said...I think it's great that the little boy has a great deal of upper body strength, but being a nurse it also concerns me. As he grows what's going to happen to his muscle tone? You muscles can only handle so much stress and with this child still developing it's a scarey thought. I believe that working him out is a great thing, just be very careful. WOW! Let your son know he's amazing! He's going o be a hell of a Gymnist one day!!!!
Reply