Before Katelyn Ohashi became a viral sensation for her electrifying floor routine in 2019, she had already made a name for herself in the gymnastics world. One of her standout moments came at the 2013 AT&T American Cup, where she delivered an outstanding performance that solidified her reputation as a rising star.
A Young Gymnast’s Big Moment
At just 15 years old, Ohashi competed in her senior international debut at the 2013 American Cup in Worcester, Massachusetts. This competition, an important event in the gymnastics world, featured some of the top athletes in the sport. Despite the high level of competition, Ohashi showcased remarkable skill and consistency, securing the all-around title with a final score of 59.199.
Her performance across all four apparatuses—floor exercise, vault, uneven bars, and balance beam—demonstrated her strength, flexibility, and precision. However, it was her balance beam routine that stood out. Featuring a flip-flop, layout full twist, and a double pike dismount, her routine earned a score of 15.333, the highest individual event score of her day.
Reflecting on her performance after the competition, Ohashi expressed her excitement about starting her senior gymnastics career on a high note. “It feels so great to be out here – it’s a great way to start my senior career,” she said, according to USA Gymnastics. “I want to keep upgrading my routines and focus on cleaning them up and being consistent.”
Competing Against Future Legends
The 2013 American Cup also marked the senior international debut of Simone Biles, a gymnast who would go on to become a four-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. Biles had an impressive showing at the event, earning the highest scores of the day on both the vault (15.733) and uneven bars (14.800).
However, a fall on the balance beam during a complex routine cost Biles valuable points. Despite recovering with a strong finish that included a full-twisting double back, she received a 13.133 on beam and a 14.000 on floor exercise. This brought her total all-around score to 57.666, placing her in second behind Ohashi.
Although Biles did not take first place at this event, her resilience and determination set the stage for her future dominance in gymnastics. Over the following years, she would rise to the top of the sport, achieving historic success at both the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
A Shift in Ohashi’s Gymnastics Path
Despite her success at the 2013 American Cup, Ohashi’s journey in elite gymnastics took an unexpected turn in the following years. A series of injuries and surgeries significantly impacted her ability to continue competing at the highest level. The intense physical and mental demands of the sport also took a toll, leading her to step away from Olympic aspirations.
In a deeply personal video for The Players’ Tribune, Ohashi reflected on this difficult period in her life. “There was a time where I was on top of the world, an Olympic hopeful,” she shared. “I was unbeatable—until I wasn’t.”
She spoke candidly about the challenges she faced, including body image struggles and external criticism. “I was told that it was embarrassing how big I’d become,” she revealed. “I couldn’t accept myself. Gymnastics was my worth, it was my life—and I hated myself.”
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Rediscovering Joy in the Sport
While her path in gymnastics took a different direction than originally expected, Ohashi eventually found happiness and fulfillment in the sport again. She joined the UCLA gymnastics team, where she flourished under a more positive and supportive environment. The shift from elite competition to collegiate gymnastics allowed her to rediscover the joy and artistry of the sport, rather than focusing solely on the pressures of perfection.
Her return to gymnastics reached its peak in 2019, when her now-famous floor routine at the Under Armour Collegiate Challenge earned a perfect 10.0 score and went viral across social media. The routine, filled with energy, personality, and precision, captured the hearts of millions and became one of the most talked-about moments in the sport.
Speaking about her journey, Ohashi said, “Having a different goal and path to follow helped me find joy and love within the sport again. That’s all it took to feel like a person again.”
A Story of Strength and Resilience
Katelyn Ohashi’s journey from elite gymnastics to collegiate success is a powerful testament to resilience and self-discovery. While she once competed on the international stage, aiming for the highest levels of the sport, she ultimately found fulfillment in a different way—by embracing gymnastics on her own terms.
Her story serves as an inspiration to young athletes everywhere, reminding them that success isn’t always about winning the biggest titles, but about finding passion, balance, and self-acceptance in their journey.
As for Simone Biles, her second-place finish at the 2013 American Cup was just the beginning of an extraordinary career. She would go on to become one of the most decorated gymnasts in history, proving that setbacks are simply stepping stones to greatness.
Both Ohashi and Biles have left lasting legacies in gymnastics, each in their own unique way. Their journeys highlight the importance of perseverance, self-care, and embracing change, showing that success can take many different forms.
