John Orozco

The 2012 U.S. all-around champion hardly took a typical path to gymnastics stardom. Born in the Bronx, Orozco took up the sport at age eight when his father found a flyer for free gymnastics lessons for economically disadvantaged children. Orozco had earned a black belt in taekwondo before his 10th birthday, and his father took him to the gym for lessons when he saw John doing flips and splits. He rose fast in the sport, winning the junior national title in 2007 before repeating in 2008 and '09, and he competed in the senior national championships at age 17 in 2010. Orozco suffered a torn Achilles in that competition, but it hardly slowed him down in his pursuit of a spot in London. He was the bronze medalist in the all-around at nationals in 2011 and helped the United States to a bronze at worlds that year - placing fifth in the individual all-around - before his biggest accomplishment to date. Orozco edged defending champ Danell Leyva to take gold at nationals in June, clinching his first championship in the event with a spectacular routine on floor exercise. Like Leyva, the Olympic trials winner with whom Orozco will team to give the U.S. squad a formidable 1-2 punch at the top, Orozco's top events are parallel bars and the horizontal bar. The height he generates and his tumbling ability are his biggest strengths and translate especially well to the horizontal bar. Though he particularly excels in those competitions, Orozco's versatility gives him a chance to challenge for all-around Olympic gold. He's won two bronze medals on the pommel horse at nationals and one on the rings. Orozco has appeared in three episodes of the TV show "Law and Order" as a background actor.