Dominique Moceanu
Dominique Moceanu was born on September 30, 1981 in Hollywood, California to Romanian parents. Her parents, Dumitru and Camelia, were gymnasts in their native country and they had aspirations for their young daughter. Moceanu started taking gymnastics classes in Illinois at age three and a half, but later moved to LaFleur's Club in Florida. In 1991, at age ten, Moceanu moved to Houston where she became one of the last gymnasts to be coached by legendary Romanian coaches Bela and Marta Karolyi. Under the Karolyis, she became the U.S. Junior National Champion in 1994 and the U.S. Senior National Champion in 1995. She was the youngest gymnast ever to win a USA Gymnastics National Championship and she was also the youngest member of the American team at the 1995 World Championships. Following the 1996 U.S. Nationals, where she placed third in the all-around, Moceanu was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her right tibia. Her injury forced her to sit out the Olympic Trials, but she was petitioned onto the team because of the strength of her scores at Nationals. Still struggling with her injury, Moceanu contributed to the team gold medal by turning in strong performances. She had a very strong performance on floor exercise at finals, but finished fourth. After the Olympics, her father built a gym called Moceanu Gymnastics and she trained there until 1999. In 2000, Moceanu began training under Mary Lee Tracy at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy. She placed eighth at the 2000 U.S. Nationals and qualified for the Olympic Trials, but was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury. In 2005, Moceanu returned to elite gymnastics. In 2006, she was invited to attend the USA Gymnastics national training camp and she also competed at the 2006 U.S. Classic. Moceanu was not able to qualify to the 2006 U.S. National Championships due to a discrepancy with USA Gymnastics.
In 2006, Moceanu married her long-time boyfriend, podiatrist Dr. Michael Canales, a former Ohio State gymnast. In 2007, she gave birth to a daughter, Carmen and in 2009, a son, Vincent. Moceanu graduated from John Carroll University in 2009 with a degree in business management. She also coaches part-time at Gymnastics World in Cleveland, Ohio and conducts clinics and private lessons around the country.
In 2006, Moceanu married her long-time boyfriend, podiatrist Dr. Michael Canales, a former Ohio State gymnast. In 2007, she gave birth to a daughter, Carmen and in 2009, a son, Vincent. Moceanu graduated from John Carroll University in 2009 with a degree in business management. She also coaches part-time at Gymnastics World in Cleveland, Ohio and conducts clinics and private lessons around the country.
Vault | Uneven Bars | Balance Beam | Floor Exercise | All-Around | |
Dominique Moceanu | 9.706 | 9.762 | 9.6 | 9.687 | 38.755 |