Matalasiaufaiga Peko was born 7th of June in 1994. Matalasiaufaiga, known as Asi, started competing as a level 5 gymnast in 2002. She quickly qualified out of each level competing level 6 in 2003, level 7 in the fall of 2004, and level 8 in the spring of 2004. She qualified to the biggest competition possible in her first year as a level 8, the Region I Championships. Although the Championships were held in Asi's home state of Nevada, she competed against athletes from California, Arizona, and Utah as well. Asi came out on top on beam where she finished 2nd and also earned the bronze on floor and the all-around.

In 2005, Asi made the leap to level 9 where she won vault and bars at the 2004 Nevada State Championships, earned a silver on beam and the all-around and took the bronze on floor. She once again qualified to 2005 Region 1 Championships where she placed 2nd on bars and 13th in the all-around. Asi just missed qualifying to the 2005 Western National Championships. Despite this set back Asi moved up to level 10 in 2006. She placed 1st all-around at the 2006 Cactus Cooler Invite and went on to win the 2006 Nevada State Championships. Asi qualified to Region 1 Championships and also qualified to her first Junior Olympic National Team! Asi competed as a level 10 once again in 2007 and had an outstanding year topped off by a gold medal finish on bars at the 2007 Junior Olympic National Championships. Asi also earned a silver in the all-around at Nationals and earned a trip to the 2007 J.O Training Camp held at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado. JO Training Camp was Asi's ticket to the "big leagues".

At the conclusion of the rigorous training camp, the National Team Coordinator exclaimed that they had another athlete at this camp a few years prior who had the same energy level and love of the sport as Asi. She never tired and learned new skills every minute of camp. Her name was Shawn Johnson, who went on to win a Silver medal in the Olympic All Around this summer and a Gold on Balance Beam.

Asi started off 2008 with a bang by winning the Lady Luck Invite and being invited to an international elite camp held at the National Training Center in Texas. Asi went on to sweep the 2008 Nevada State Championships and placed 1st all around at the May National Qualifier. She traveled to Houston, Texas to compete in her first big elite meet, the 2008 US Classic. Asi proved her worth on the Elite scene in Texas by placing 7th in the All-Around and securing her spot at the National Championships. At the 2008 US Championships, in Boston, MA, Asi placed 4th on All-Around on day 1 of the competition getting off to a great start. Asi finished day 2 of the competition with an all-around score one point higher and completed the competition in 4th place making her very first USA National Team. Asi now attends monthly training camps held at the National Team Training Center and is eligible to be selected for an international assignment where she will represent the USA.

Marcelo Figueiredo, Asi's coach, has dedicated the next four years of his life to training Asi to reach her goal of competing in the 2012 Olympics. Along with three of her teammates, Asi trains mornings and afternoons with Marcelo to achieve her goal. Brown's owner and balance beam coach, Dayna Waroe, calls Asi 'pure sunshine'. "She makes you want to go to the gym and coach! Her enthusiasm and 'never say never' attitude are what make her great. She will be famous one day!"