Cristy Tsui was born in a small town in the state of San Luis Potosi in Mexico. She grew up in Chicago, Illinois after her parents moved there when she was 2 years old. "It's nice to now be able to give my friends an idea of where I was born." said Tsui. Need a reference? Just watch the Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt movie The Mexican. It was near the film's location that Tsui was born.

She discovered gymnastics after watching the Chicago-based television show Bozo's Circus at age four. The acrobats and contortionists caught her eye and she realized she wanted to be a part of that. Her competitive years lasted for eight years with the Chicago Park District where she competed in tumbling, balance beam, vault, and floor exercise.

In the late 1980s her dream came true when she attended Bela Karolyi's summer gymnastics camp. On the experience Tsui says "I couldn't believe how beautiful the gyms were. I kept pinching myself because I couldn't believe I was there. I grew up in a neighborhood where facilities like that did not exist."

Currently Tsui resides in Chicago with her husband and two daughters and is enjoying her time as a stay at home mom. She tries to do some gymnastics whenever time allows. Her favorite skill is the handstand, which she learned on her own. "The handstand is really special to me because of its significance in my life." says Tsui.

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