Dominique Moceanu: An American Champion

[QuietColours]

Dominique Moceanu: An American Champion
An Autobiography as told to Steve Woodward
Copyright 1996

Introduction by Bela Karolyi

• Wow! That's what I say every time I see Dominique Moceanu whip through her floor exercise and balance beam routine
• She sparkles
• Seeing a gymnast he's coached catapult to the top of the sport gives him pride
• True competitor, just like MLR and Nadia Comaneci
• Deserves to be national champion and the hope of the American team to medal in 1996

My Journey

• 1979- Father, Dimitry Moceanu, leaves Romania for the US. Mother Camelia joins him in 1981
• 1981- Dominique born, September 30 in Hollywood, CA
• 1983- Move to Highland Park, IL. Between 3 and 4 enrolled in first gymnastics class
• 1985- 45 day European vacation; father contacts Bela in Houston about enrolling her. Bela says to wait until she's 9 or 10
• 1987- August 24, sister Christina is born
• 1991- Moves to Houston for her 10th birthday. First session is Dec 19
• 1992- US National Championships, Jr Division- Silver on beam
• 1993- US National Championships, Jr Division- Messed up. 7th AA
• 1994- US National Championships, Jr Division- Gold: AA, floor, vault; Bronze: Beam, UB
• 1995- Reeses International Gymnastics Cup: Gold: UB, Bronze: BB
• 1995- American Classic: Gold: vault, Silver: AA (tie); Bronze: BB, FX
• 1995- VISA Challenge, Sr Division: Gold: AA, FX, Team; Silver: UB; Bronze: BB, Vault
• 1995- US National Championships, Sr. Division: Gold: AA; Silver: FX; Bronze:VT
• 1995- World Team Trials: Gold: AA
• 1995- World Championships, Sr Division: Silver: BB, Bronze: Team

Prologue: Four Magic Words

• Had just turned 10 years old and was living in Tampa, FL where her father owned a car dealership and her mother was a hair stylist
• Was watching gymnastics on TV. Had been doing gymnastics since she was 3 and loved watching her idols on TV
• Cheered for Betty Okino–always watched Betty, Kim, and Kerri
• They all lived in Houston and were coached by Bela Karolyi, who had turned out multiple champions
• "If only I could train with Bela…I want to be like Kim and Nadia…Someday I will."
• "Okay," said my father. "We will go."
• And that's how we moved to Houston when I was ten. That's how I came to Bela's