Dominique Moceanu - A Gymnastics Sensation!

Dominique Helena Moceanu was born 30^th September 1981 just a few months after her long time coach Bela Karoyli had defected from Romania to the United States. At the tender age of six months old Dominique’s parents tested her strength by seeing how long she could hold onto a clothes line for. Tiny Dominique hung on until the line broke and she landed in her mother’s arms.

 When Domi was 3 years old she was put into a recreational gymnastics class. This would be the beginning of her Gymnastics dream. From then on Dominique moved to a gym in Tampa called LaFleur’s where she started on the road to stardom. She progressed through the levels and won numerous competitions

When Dominique was 10 she moved to Karolyi’s Gym to be coached by the legendary Bela Karoyli. From there she went from strength to strength. Just 7 months after joining Karolyi’s she became the youngest ever female gymnast to qualify to the US Junior national team.

In 1992 Domi became the youngest ever gymnast to win a medal at the Junior US National Championships on beam. She went onto become the  US National Champion at the age of 13, again setting a new record.  Domi’s fame rose throughout 94 and 95 but it was at the 96 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia where she will be most remembered, for her playful floor routines, most memorably with the music ‘ The devil went down to Georgia ‘that wowed the crowd. Unfortunately because of a stress fracture Domi didn’t have as much chance to prepare her vault and floor as she would have liked. although she did end up winning a gold medal as part of the team, now dubbed the Magnificent 7

After the 1996 Olympics Bela Karolyi retired and Dominique began training under Luminita Miscenco, a former gymnast at the famous school in Deva, Romania. Dominique grew 7 inches after the Olympics and she credits Luminita with helping her adjust her gymnastics to suit her new found height. Dominique’s confidence increased over the next couple of years. Her next major title was at the 1998 Goodwill games in New York. Unfortunately at the end of 1998 Dominique suffered some family upset which interrupted her training.

Nothing would stop Dominique though as Dominique moved to Cincinnati, Ohio in January 2000 to resume training under the guidance and support of 1996 Assistant Olympic coach Mary Lee Tracy. She was well on the way to the Olympic trials for the 2000 Olympic Games, but a knee injury forced her to withdraw. Everyone thought that this would be the end for Dominique until we heard a month ago that Domi had plans to return to competition but an injury stopped this. She is now back in training and hopes to return to competition.

 She has inspired millions of young gymnasts to show them that no matter what dreams can come true.

All photos on this Site are copyright of Sing Lo, Samantha Davies, Philip Morton, and World Gym Art. All photos are copyright and must not be used  without permission.

TRIBUTE BY NATASHA SUMMERFIELD

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE GREAT PHOTOS OF DOMINIQUE!

AND HERE TO VISIT OUR TRIBUTE TO LILIA PODKAPAYEVA