Two-Time U.S. Junior Champion Maksim Kan: ‘This year I’m more composed adn having more fun’
Maksim Kan is poised to represent the U.S. on the world stage this fall, following a dominant performance at the U.S. Junior Championships last month. The 17-year-old secured his second consecutive all-around title, adding to his remarkable haul of frist-place finishes on four of six apparatuses at the competition held August 7-10 in New Orleans.
“Winning another title,I feel amazing,” Kan stated. “That was my goal, one of them at least.Day one didn’t exactly go my way, but I still managed to be on top. On day two I came back and did much better, and secured the spot.”
That “spot” refers to selection for the U.S. team competing at the Junior World Championships in Manila this November. Kan is no stranger to international competition, having previously earned silver on parallel bars and bronze on floor exercise at the 2024 International Junior Team Cup in Berlin. He also contributed to a team silver medal at the DTB Pokal team Challenge in Stuttgart this spring.
Kan’s success builds on a strong family legacy in gymnastics. His father and coach, Andrei Kan, competed for Belarus at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, finishing 30th in the all-around and contributing to the team’s fourth-place finish. Andrei Kan arrived in the U.S. with limited resources,as his son recalled,”with $100 in his pocket.”
Older brother Vitali kan also achieved national recognition, winning the 2015 U.S. Junior Olympic national all-around title in the 17-18 age group. He later represented the U.S. at the 2017 World University Games in Taipei and competed collegiately for the university of Minnesota from 2016-2019.
This year’s Junior Championships marked a turning point for Kan, demonstrating a newfound mental fortitude. Repeating his success from the age 16 group at last year’s championships, Kan highlighted his increased composure. “I definitely gained confidence in myself competing,” he said. “Last year, after falls, I would struggle to get it back, but this year I’m more composed competing and having more fun in general.” He specifically cited pride in landing a triple back dismount on the horizontal bar for the first time in competition during day one.
Looking ahead, Kan is balancing his training for the Junior World Championships with an vital off-the-gym agenda: college visits. He plans to visit Stanford University, the University of Michigan, the University of Illinois, and Pennsylvania State University to determine the best fit for his future as an NCAA student-athlete.
“I want to get together with the team, feel the bond and see where I can see myself for the next four years,” Kan explained, adding that he is considering majoring in either electrical engineering or computer science.
Currently, Kan’s focus remains on Manila and continued advancement. “Junior Worlds will decide a lot of what my training for the fall looks like,” he said. “Otherwise, preparing for next season and getting some upgrades. Just see where it goes.”
