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Former Olympian helping local athletes

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Few people in the world know physical fitness better than an Olympian. If you were an aspiring athlete, what would be better than modeling yourself after an Olympian?

Jorge Bonnet competed in the summer and winter Olympics a total of five times. It's been more than a decade since he was in that spotlight. Now he's content to be here in Birmingham, helping young athletes reach their goals. And he has his own invention to help.

Dillon Holsonback recently graduated from Thompson High School. He's training hard this summer.

His body has to be in top shape if he wants to excel as a football player at Harding University this fall.

"I really feel like I've prepared myself for the next level, and to go to college and get done what I need to get done," said Holsonback. When you're under the supervision of a five-time former Olympian, you have that kind of confidence.

Jorge Bonnet is the founder of Purmotion, the fitness program Holsonback uses. In 1984 and 88, Bonnet was part of the Puerto Rican Olympic judo team. In 92, 94, and 98 we saw him in the Olympics as a member of the bobsled team. "I got goose bumps. I've never seen in my life coming from a little country a hundred thousand people in a stadium," said Bonnet. It was during that time Bonnet made up his mind to help other athletes achieve their goals.

"For a lot of Olympic athletes, for good or for bad, for them the Olympic experience is where everything ends. But for few, it's where it really starts," he said.

Purmotion is a fitness and training system that allows ten people to use it at the same time. Athletes can push, pull, lift, jump, and slide using one central frame.

"I always new there had to be a better way because I really noticed the carry over or the transferability of what happened in the weight room versus what happens on the mat, on the court, on the ice, on the field," said Bonnet. Bonnet is so dedicated to helping young athletes, he recruited another Olympian to join his team. Willie Smith is a three-time former Olympian and gold medalist in track and field. Smith uses Purmotion to help athletes with speed and strength.

"Part of my mission as an Olympian is to give back what has freely been given to me," said Smith.

Bonnet says his goal is to show athletes techniques they never knew their bodies were capable of.

"Not just moving north/south, but also east/west, and the rotational plane. My passion is to teach every athlete and let them know that there is a better way and that I am committed to giving them the tools," said Smith.

Dillon Holsonback began working with bonnet his senior year in high school. Prior to last fall Holsonback says he never was the star on his high school football team, never took a snap until his senior year, and never dreamed of playing in college.

"Don't think just because nothing is going your way and one point that you can't turn it all around with the proper work ethic," said Holsonback.

This all started in Puerto Rico with a five year old boy who was bullied by bigger kids.

A unit has been sold to Beijing Olympic training center.

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