Michael Mercieca chasing Commonwealth Games gymnastics dream, engineering degree

ENGINEERING student Michael Mercieca hopes he has perfected a winning formula for success at this week’s Commonwealth Games gymnastics trials.

Australian Gymnast Michael Mercieca trains 28 hours a week.

ENGINEERING student Michael Mercieca hopes he has perfected a winning formula for success at this week’s Commonwealth Games gymnastics trials.

The maths whiz spearheads Queensland’s six-strong team at the two-day trial, starting in Canberra on Thursday.

Mercieca, who has almost finished a University of Queensland double-degree in mechanical and materials engineering, is the National All-Around Men’s champion and Australia’s leading’s all-around medal hope at next year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

“Success in sport is similar to success in engineering, you have a problem and you need to work out a solution and then you take steps to solve it,’’ he said.

“I understand how a skill works and how I need to twist or rotate my body … which is critical to understanding the sport. I’m always looking at how a skill can be done better.’’

Queensland men’s coach Sean Wilson said Mercieca’s finely tuned understanding of the physics and biomechanics of his sport was a major advantage.

Australian gymnast Michael Merceria in the lab at the University of Queensland. Picture: Lachie Millard

Wilson said Mercieca had worked hard to develop a strong self-belief after a trio of disappointments including fracturing his ankle a week before his departure for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Mercieca was also a second reserve for the 2016 Rio Olympics and he injured his ribs a few days before this year’s world championships in Canada and was restricted to competing in three events.

NSW-born Mercieca is determined to score more than 80 points in this week’s trial.

UQ Engineering lecturer Dr Michael Heitzmann said that Mercieca was not only intelligent but had developed a strong work ethic, time management skills and a drive for success.

“The determination you need to make it in sport is the same you need to do well in science and your studies,’’ he said.

“The joy in discovery and pushing the boundaries to make things better, is the same with both sport and engineering.’’

Michael Mercieca is fighting back from a series of sporting setbacks. Picture: Lachie Millard

Mercieca, who trains more than 28 hours a week, is gearing up for a massive year starting with next month’s final Commonwealth Games trial in Canberra. He will also study seven university subjects including his final year thesis topic — selective laser sintering of ceramics using polymer binders.

“Studying at university helps with my gymnastics because it takes my mind off sport and I have a life balance,’’ he said.

“Going for a home Commonwealth Games has kept me in the sport for the last four years. It would be amazing to compete and have a home crowd backing you.”

The other Queenslanders competing at this week’s trials are Mitchell Jones, Michael Tone, Scott Costin, Jack Riek and AIS-based Mitchell Morgans.

Originally published as Michael Mercieca chasing Commonwealth Games gymnastics dream, engineering degree