Nastia Liukin
Nastia Liukin
Anastasia Valeryevna "Nastia" Liukinis a Russian American retired artistic gymnast. She is the 2008 Olympic individual all-around champion, the 2005 and 2007 world champion on the balance beam, and the 2005 world champion on the uneven bars. She is also a four-time all-around U.S. national champion, winning twice as a junior and twice as a senior. With nine World Championships medals, seven of them individual, Liukin is tied with Shannon Miller for the third-highest tally of World Championship medals. Liukin...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionGymnast
Date of Birth30 October 1989
CityMoscow, Russia
CountryUnited States of America
I tried a little too hard on my beam mount. It was a little nerve-racking falling so early in the routine, but I had to come back and hit (it). That fall was just a fluke.
It's been fun so far. I've never visited three cities in three days like this. Training is going well and I'm happy to see WOGA do well.
Without my parents and their love and support in my life, I would not be who I am or where I am today.
Being with someone I love and care about to feed off positive energy is crucial.
It feels great, even though I had a mistake on the floor. Mostly all my routines are new compared to the World Championships, so I think I just need a little more time to get consistent.
You always have to finish what you start and I learned that some of life's greatest lessons come with disappointment.
This is a huge meet, and I wanted to do more than just come in and try my new skills. I wanted to hit (my routines) and I'll come in tomorrow to hopefully do the same.
I've had to make really big decisions, knowing the results were not always in my control. Through these moments, I've learned to be daring and take risks but understand that everything always happens for a reason.
At the 2012 Olympic Trials, I wanted to make a second Olympic team. I fell face first, and in a blink of an eye, my dreams of competing in a second Olympics were over. Even so, I got up, finished my routine, and saw twenty thousand people cheering. It was my first standing ovation.
I brought a lot of my own pieces of clothes to the design room when I first met with the design team just so they could see what my style was like.
Set daily, monthly and long term goals and dreams. Don't ever be afraid to dream too big. Nothing is impossible. If you believe in yourself, you can achieve it.
Finish what you start, no matter how painful it may be.
I've had to learn through experiences not to be afraid to fail. You don't know what the future holds for you. You can hope your dreams come true, but you have to be fearless. I don't want to look back and think, What if?
The first time I walked into the Olympic athlete village seeing the Visa ATM machine with my picture on it and the Chinese characters saying 'Destiny.' For some reason, it just boosted my confidence and it was before I had even worked out or had my first training or competed.