Nastia Liukin
Nastia began gymnastics at an early age in Russia following in the footsteps of her parents who both competed at elite level for the Soviet Union during the late 1980's and early 1990's. She is about to enter her fifth year as an elite gymnast after first qualifying at a zone meet in San Antonio, Texas in early February 2002. A dominant junior, Nastia was twice crowned US National Champion, won four individual Junior Pacific Alliance gold medals and was also a five time Pan American Games medalist. She is the current Team, World Uneven Bars and Balance Beam Champion, US National Champion and American Cup Champion.
CURRENTLY
Nastia is a Senior International Elite gymnast and currently trains for 36 hours a week at World Olympic Gymnastics under some of the best coaches in the USA including her father Valeri who co-owns and runs the gym. Nastia says that her best gymnastics memory so far was competing at the 2002 USA Championships and representing the USA at the 2002 Pan American Games. She dreams of competing at an Olympic Games.
Nastia has a very busy schedule every week splitting her time between two training sessions a day and also school. When she is not in the gym she enjoys reading, shopping, snow skiing and spending time with her friends.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
*2007 3X World Champion (Team, Uneven Bars, and Balance Beam)
*2006 Visa All Around Champion
*2005 IGHOF Gymnast of the Year
*2005 World Balance Beam Champion
*2005 World Uneven Bars Champion
*2005 World Floor Exercise Silver Medalist
*2005 World All Around Silver Medalist
