Menton Tony Mro began his gymnastics journey in 2013 as a Grade-1 student at Bandarban's Quantum Cosmo School. Over the years, he has participated in numerous national age-group, youth, and senior-level gymnastics championships, earning nearly 50 medals, including gold medals in the pommel horse and all-around events at the 2019 Singapore Open. After clinching three golds and one silver at the 37th National Gymnastics Championships, which concluded on Tuesday at the NSC Gymnasium, he spoke to The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman about his journey, as well as his personal and collective aspirations for Bangladesh gymnastics. The excerpts of the interview are as follows:

The Daily Star (DS): You returned home empty-handed in your debut appearance in the 2021 Bangladesh Games, but you stunned all by winning two golds and one silver in your second appearance at the senior level. How did you transform yourself?

Menton Tony Mro (MTM): During the Covid outbreak, we received uninterrupted training at the Quantum Cosmo School before joining the national training camp in 2022 under Korean coach Cho Sung Dong until June 2024. I never gave up because I dream of becoming a world-class gymnast in the pommel horse event… To be honest, I got more than I expected from the championships.

DS: How much are gymnasts benefiting from the National Gymnastics Championships, held after a four-year gap?

MTM: If the national championships are held every year, the number of gymnasts and teams will increase, and the gymnasts will also be able to evaluate themselves in competitions.

DS: Quantum Cosmo School dominates all gymnastic competitions. What is the secret behind its success?

MTM: The gymnasts of Quantum School rise early every morning to meditate before starting a 4-kilometre run. Then, they do two hours of training before going to school to study. In the afternoon, there is another three-and-a-half-hour training session before doing homework for school at night.

DS: What facilities does the school provide for the gymnasts?

MTM: Initially, there were almost no facilities in 2013 because every apparatus was either broken or old. There was not even a proper floor facility, but compared to 2013, the facilities at Quantum School are now more or less good.

DS: Korean coach Cho Sung Dong left the country in June last year. Do you feel his absence in the national training camp?

MTM: Under his guidance, we trained for eight hours a day -- two sessions per day -- with proper food provided by the federation. But now, the federation can't provide proper food, so the training hours have been reduced to five. We are trying to improve ourselves, but we can't reach the same level as we did under the Korean coach.

DS: How do you see the Bangladesh Gymnastics Federation's target to qualify directly for the 2028 Olympic Games, especially without a foreign coach?

MTM: We still believe in qualifying directly for the 2028 Olympic Games. We are not giving up our hopes despite the departure of the Korean coach. We don't want to dwell on what we have lost; rather, we want to progress with whatever we have in our hands.

DS: The 2028 Olympics are still far away. Do you think the appointment of a foreign coach and proper facilities can help Bangladeshi gymnasts qualify?

MTM: Firstly, an athlete needs mental and physical stability, and secondly, motivation. Without proper facilities and a good coach, you can't achieve the target. Nevertheless, the appointment of a foreign coach and improved facilities will help gymnasts realise their dream.

DS: What is your personal target?

MTM: As a Quantum gymnast, I am still motivated by the dream of winning an Olympic gold medal. We are improving ourselves gradually. However, I want to be the first Bangladeshi gymnast to qualify directly for the Olympic Games on merit. I am confident that one day, I will enter the Olympics by proving my performance.