Katelyn Ohashi: From Elite Gymnast to Viral Sensation and Advocate
Katelyn Ohashi's journey is one of athletic excellence, personal struggle, and ultimately, triumph. From her early success as an elite gymnast to her viral fame as a UCLA Bruin and her current work as an activist, Ohashi has consistently defied expectations and used her platform to inspire others.
Early Life and Gymnastics Career
Born on April 12, 1997, in Seattle, Washington, Katelyn Michelle Ohashi displayed a natural aptitude for gymnastics from a young age. Her mother, Diana, a former high school gymnast, joked that Katelyn was doing cartwheels in the womb. Ohashi began training at the age of three and quickly progressed, performing flawless back handsprings by the age of four.
To pursue the best gymnastics program, Ohashi and her family moved first to Kansas City, Missouri, and then to Plano, Texas. There, she trained at Great American Gymnastics Express (GAGE) under coach Al Fong. Her dedication and talent led to significant achievements in her junior career.
Ohashi's early accomplishments include:
- 2009 Junior Olympic National Championships debut at age 12.
- 2011 Junior National Champion.
- Four-time member of USA Gymnastics' Junior National Team.
- Eight-time All-American.
In 2013, at the American Cup, Ohashi achieved a significant victory, defeating Simone Biles to win the title. However, this triumph came at a considerable cost.
Read also: Learn how Alysa Liu's authenticity is reflected in Katelyn Rosen and UCLA.
Injuries and a Turning Point
Despite her success, Ohashi was battling immense pain. An MRI revealed she had been competing with two torn shoulders and a fractured back. Doctors advised her to undergo surgery and warned that she might never be able to do gymnastics again.
Her coaches urged her to continue competing with physical therapy to pursue her Olympic dreams. However, Ohashi made the difficult decision to prioritize her health and schedule the surgery. She understood that no medal was worth the cost of her well-being.
The surgery and subsequent recovery period took a major toll on Ohashi's mental health. She was out of competition for over a year and gained weight, leading to body shaming and a struggle with her self-image. She recalled being criticized for her weight by coaches when she was just 13 years old, despite weighing barely 70 pounds. "I’ve been told I looked like I swallowed an elephant or a pig…I was compared to a bird that was too fat to lift itself off the ground," she wrote on her blog.
This period marked a turning point in Ohashi's career and personal life. She realized that elite gymnastics was no longer a viable option for her body. However, she had heard positive things about the head coach at UCLA and decided to pursue collegiate gymnastics.
Collegiate Career at UCLA
Ohashi joined the UCLA Bruins gymnastics team for the 2015-2016 season. Through collegiate gymnastics, she rediscovered her love for the sport and began to heal her relationship with her body. She was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week four times.
Read also: Reimagining Gymnastics with Ohashi
However, her challenges continued. In a meet against the Arizona Wildcats, she suffered a sternal fracture after the cap of the balance beam fell off during her dismount, causing her to land on her neck. This injury sidelined her for four weeks.
Despite these setbacks, Ohashi persevered. In the 2017 season, she finished the regular season at No. 1 on balance beam and received two perfect 10s. The 2018 season saw further improvement, with three perfect 10s on floor and career highs on the uneven bars, vault, and all-around. She finished the regular season ranked first on floor and third on beam and was named the Pac-12 Specialist of the Year. She was also the 2018 NCAA and Pac-12 co-champion in the floor exercise.
In her final year of college, Ohashi reached new heights. She set career highs for uneven bars, vault, and all-around and was again named the PAC-12 Specialist of the Year.
Viral Fame and Perfect 10s
Ohashi's biggest achievement during her collegiate career was her floor exercise routines. At the 2018 PAC-12 Gymnastics Championships, she performed a Michael Jackson-themed routine that went viral, earning millions of views online. Her infectious energy, amazing technique, and inclusion of fun elements like moonwalks and "Thriller" handclaps made her an instant favorite with viewers around the globe.
She outdid herself again at the 2019 Collegiate Challenge, performing another outstanding floor routine that was considered one of the toughest routines of all time. Her routines garnered six perfect 10s this season and millions of views online. During her Bruin career, she earned 11 perfect 10s - including for a 2019 floor routine that became an internet sensation.
Read also: UCLA vs. Illinois: Basketball History
Ohashi's floor routines were not only technically impressive but also showcased her joy and personality, a stark contrast to the pressure and criticism she had experienced in elite gymnastics. "I wanted to bring the joy back to gymnastics," she said.
Life After UCLA and Advocacy
Ohashi graduated from UCLA in 2019 with a degree in Gender Studies. Since then, she has dedicated herself to raising awareness about body shaming, domestic violence, mental health, and homelessness. She and a friend had been writing poetry about body positivity and empowerment for several years, and their blog, "Behind the Madness," finally had a platform.
She speaks openly about the pressures gymnasts face to look a certain way and promotes body positivity. She also volunteers her time with non-profit organizations that help people recover from disordered eating. She also volunteered for Project Heal, a nonprofit focused on helping people recover from eating disorders. As a motivational speaker and activist, she continues to advocate for body positivity.
In addition to her activism, Ohashi has explored other creative outlets. During the pandemic, she turned to poetry and participated in weekly Zoom meetings with friends to share their writing. Her biggest venture is an animated short that she wrote from her poetry, a planned six-to-ten-minute film that she is trying to fundraise for. The project, which she plans to direct, will center on her life, gymnastics, mental health, body image, and family dynamics.
Ohashi has also remained connected to the world of gymnastics. In 2021, she performed in Simone Biles' "Gold Over America" tour, which allowed her to rediscover her love for performing.
Keynote Speaker and Bruin Values
In recognition of her achievements and advocacy, Katelyn Ohashi delivered the keynote address at all three UCLA College commencement ceremonies on Friday, June 10. David Schaberg, senior dean of the UCLA College, praised Ohashi for epitomizing Bruin values with her strength of character, compassion, and leadership in the face of challenges.
"I am so proud to address my fellow Bruins and help celebrate this wonderful accomplishment in their lives," said Ohashi.
A New Chapter
While gymnastics may not be her sole focus, Ohashi has embraced new experiences. She expressed interest in participating in "Dancing with the Stars" and had preliminary discussions with individuals associated with the program.
Ohashi has found joy in simpler activities, such as spending time with her cats and skating in Venice. She hasn't lost the beaming smile that punctuated viral UCLA routines. That joy was genuine, too. But the separation has helped Ohashi feel freer of a tearful past.
tags: #katelyn #ohashi #ucla #gymnastics #career
