Since 1979, Dragon Gymnastics has upheld its reputation as one of the finest gymnastics training organizations in the world by producing countless state, regional, national and world champions. Many of these champions become USA National team members as well as recipients of full scholarships to major universities including University of Alabama, University of Arizona, University of Georgia, University of Iowa, Louisiana State University, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, University of Oklahoma, Stanford University, University of Utah and University of Washington.

Two athletes have gone on to represent the USA at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. U.S. Olympic Women’s Gymnastics silver medalists Terin Humphrey and Courtney McCool have come to exemplify the renowned Dragon training approach.

The Dragons, a team of athletes, ages 6 to 18, are internationally recognized as one of the best gymnastics teams in the world. They train under the direction of USA Gymnastics 2004 Coaches of the Year, Al Fong and Armine Barutyan-Fong, “to create some of the most stunning gymnasts in recent U.S. history” ( Inside Gymnastics, 7.4.03).

“What we do here, we do for a love of our country, a love of our community and a love of our athletes,” Fong says. “Our coaches could walk across town and probably double their salaries, because they’re so well respected, but they’re devoted to our mission – everything they do, they do for the kids.”

Al Fong

A second generation Chinese-American, Al Fong was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. A gymnast at Seattle’s YMCA, Fong earned a scholarship to Louisiana State University where he trained under two-time Olympian and three-time world champion Armando Vega.

After college, he worked at a national sports center in Arkansas before settling down to build his gymnastics dynasty, Great American Gymnastic Express (GAGE), in Blue Springs, Missouri.

Fong is extremely patriotic. "I feel lucky just to be here," Fong said, while telling how his father had been born in New York but taken back to China at age 3. He then returned to Seattle as an adult.

"I'm just so proud of Kansas City, Missouri and our country," Fong said, "especially when one of our kids represents us."

Fong also has a strong sense of community. He's been offered lucrative nationwide speaking tours and two book deals. “I turned them all down,” he explains. “My heart is here in Blue Springs, Missouri, and my goal is to help develop more talent and more Olympians right here in our community.”

Armine Barutyan-Fong

Al’s wife, co-coach and partner is Armine Barutyan-Fong, originally from the former Soviet Republic of Armenia. As a gymnast, she was on the Armenian National Team for nine years and the Russian National Team for eight years. She was also the youngest athlete in Soviet history to win the prestigious “Master of Sport” from the Sports Committee of the Soviet Union.

Armine beautifully illustrates the depth of talent the Soviet Union once held. Throughout the years, Armine performed skills that even today are extremely rare (e.g., triple back off bars) or unheard of (e.g., double layout off beam). It has been said that the judges of the time simply did not know how to score her.

“There are days you don’t feel like spending eight hours in the gym, but you look over at Armine and see how much it all means to her, and you get back to work. She’s a real inspiration to all of us.” says Dragon Team Member and 2004 Summer Olympics Silver Medalist Courtney McCool.


Together, Al and Armine Fong have created one of the strongest institutions in the country and recently earned the USA Gymnastics 2004 Coach of the Year award.

For more information, visit the Dragon Gymnastics website.

Related Articles

=Dragon Gymnastics=

GAGE Coaches Honored Nationally (The Examiner, 2004)

Looking Ahead – GAGE's Al Fong keeps eye on future while reaping from past (The Examiner, 2004)

Reaching Out – GAGE's Fong asks for help from community (The Examiner, 2005)

National Recognition – GAGE gets three on U.S. national team (The Examiner, 2005)

GAGE Sends Four to College – Four gymnasts at Blue Springs facility sign with Division I team (The Examiner, 2005)

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The Fong Phenomenon (Kansas City Business Journal, 1995)

20 and Counting - Fong Builds Tradition in Blue Springs (The Examiner, 1999)

Remembering Discovery Zone (The Chattanoogan, 2006)

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Out of the Cold (The Examiner, 2004)