Curtis Hibbert facts for kids

Curtis Mayfield Hibbert was born on September 2, 1966. He is a police officer and a Canadian Olympian. Curtis made history in gymnastics. He was the first Canadian to win medals at the World Championships. He was also the first person of color to achieve this. At one Commonwealth Games, he won five gold medals. This makes him the most successful gymnast there.

Early Life and Gymnastics Beginnings

Curtis Hibbert was born in Kingston, Jamaica. In 1970, his family moved to Canada. He started learning gymnastics when he was seven years old. This was just three years after moving to Canada.

Curtis Hibbert's Gymnastics Career

Curtis first became well-known in 1983. He competed in the Canadian Nationals and the Canada Winter Games. He also took part in the Pan Am Games.

World Championships and Olympics

In 1987, Curtis won a silver medal. This was for the high bar event at the World Championships. This big win helped him go to the 1988 Seoul Olympics. There, he competed with the Canadian team. He reached the finals in three different events. He finished 22nd overall in the all-around competition.

Curtis also competed for Team Canada in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He finished 36th in the all-around. He won another medal at the 1992 Paris World Gymnastics Championships. This was a bronze medal for the vault event.

Commonwealth Games Success

Curtis was the top athlete for Canada at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. He won an amazing seven medals! These included five gold medals, one silver, and one bronze. His gold medals were for:

• Team event
• All-around competition
• Horizontal bar
• Parallel bars
• Rings

Between 1987 and 1992, Curtis won many awards. He earned two World Championship medals. He also won six Canadian All-Around titles. Plus, he got a Commonwealth Games All-Around title. Curtis stopped competing in gymnastics in 1993.

After Retirement: Coaching and Inspiring Others

After retiring, Curtis started the Kids Super Gym Club. It is located in Erin Mills, Ontario. This club focuses on having fun, not just competing. It welcomes young athletes of all skill levels.

Curtis has also volunteered as a coach. He has helped young gymnasts from all over the world. He gives many speeches across Canada. These talks focus on setting goals. He also shares how his Olympic experiences helped him in life. He visits schools in Toronto. He helps teachers create gymnastics programs. He also encourages young people to be active.

Curtis Hibbert's Stunt Work

In 1995, Curtis started a new career. He became a stuntman for movies and TV shows. He has worked on many Canadian and American productions. Some of his famous works include:

• 16 Blocks
• X-Men
• Chicago
• Undercover Brother

Since the mid-2000s, Curtis has also worked for the City of Toronto. He is a public servant, helping the community.