Are you a fan of Olympic gymnastics? Then you likely have heard the name of gymnast Katelyn Ohashi. Even though she was once told she didn’t look like a gymnast, this 2019 video of her routine, when posted by UCLA, absolutely took off and skyrocketed her to fame.
For four years, Ohashi was part of the junior national team for USA Gymnastics. In 2013, Ohashi even beat out Simone Biles in the championship for the American Cup according to CNN. As Biles went on to be a four-time Olympic winner, Ohashi eventually walked away from her Olympic gymnastics career. While the accolades were incredible, the experience itself was damaging.
Ohashi walked away from her Olympic aspirations because she felt “broken”. She wasn’t the same girl that she was when she fell in love with gymnastics for the first time.
Now that she was a seasoned Olympic gymnast, Ohashi felt stressed and anxious all the time. She hardly smiled and rarely enjoyed eating, as she always pushed herself to excessively exercise.
Even worse was the fact that Ohashi had to compete with two torn shoulders and a fractured back, a report says from CNN. Ohashi was the exact definition of a “broken” person, both physically and emotionally–she had to get away. Walking away from gymnastics was the hardest thing Ohashi had to do–but it was exactly what she needed to do if she ever hoped to heal.
While Ohashi planned to recover, she also hoped to compete when she got to college. Now enrolled at UCLA, Ohashi’s routines are as powerful as they once were. In fact, one routine, in particular, is going viral and making its rounds on the Internet. Performing to a medley of Michael Jackson’s hits, Ohashi packed her routine full of crazy challenging moves that really showcase her insane talent and physical capabilities.
Just as her gymnastics abilities are spreading all over the world, Ohashi’s infectious spirit is even more contagious. She now looks as if she is truly happy. She is also now getting the support and love she craved, rather than the harsh criticism that all Olympic athletes face.
After the UCLA gymnastics team posted Ohashi’s video on the Internet, it took off. Now, it has been viewed over 59 million times. ESPN named it the most-watched sports clip of 2019.
Many commenters noted how powerful Ohashi’s moves are, as well as how clearly joyful she looks.
Watch the perfect 10 routine for yourself and see just how incredible Ohashi is:
Let us know what you think about the performance and Ohashi’s journey to get here by leaving a comment below. Don’t forget to pass this video along to your friends to show them this powerful performance.