FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii - An Army Hawaii family member competed in the Japan Double Mini-Trampoline, or DMT, National Championships, Jan. 21-23, in Machida City, Tokyo.

Zachary Ceroli, a 17-year-old military family member and junior at Kaiser High School, was one of two foreigners whose names were written in English in the Japanese language program. He won first place in both men's competitions.

He was a guest of the Japan Trampoline Association and the Japan Olympic Committee. He stayed and trained at the Japan Institute for Sport Sciences, Japan's trampoline national training center, and was treated as a celebrity. Ceroli received a special invitation due to close ties between the two island sports associations during the past decade.

"My first time in Japan, first time competing internationally, first national championship and first time treated as an Olympic athlete ... wow, this was the meet of my life!" Ceroli said.

One of two gymnasts from Hawaii, Ceroli next competes in San Jose, Calif., at the Spirit of the Flame competition with 1,300 competitors - in his first U.S. elite meet.