Jackson Payne: Mormon Athlete

Jackson Payne is a Canadian gymnast who rejoined the Canadian Senior National Men’s Gymnastics Team after setting aside the sport to serve a two-year, full-time mission to South Korea for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Payne, from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has competed in gymnastics for many years. He has won many medals, including the gold medal in the men’s senior all-around event at the 2015 Canadian championships. He had won the title in the 2011 Canadian championships before departing for his mission in 2012. The Canadian team did not qualify for the 2012 Olympics Games.

Due to a torn right Achilles tendon, he was not able to compete in the Pan American Games held in summer 2015. He was back into training ten days after his surgery and is now preparing for the 2016 Olympic Games.

He attended Athabasca University for a year prior to his mission. He plans on pursuing a degree in medicine.