Have you ever wondered what it would be like to coach an Olympic gymnastics champion? My coach, Dana Marion, coached Gabrielle Douglas in Virginia Beach, Virginia, at Gymstrada Gymnastics while she was on pre-team at level three. Coach Dana works at Cartwheels Gymnastics Center in Clifton Park.
Gabby Douglas is the first African-American gymnast to win the all-around gold medal in Olympic gymnastics.
Her level is Senior International Elite. She made her National Team debut in 2008. She is exceptional at bars and her nickname is “The Flying Squirrel.”
2015 Winners
My coach was her first coach but not her only one. Gabby had Dena Walker, Gustavo Moure, Liang Chow and Kittia Carpenter. Kittia Carpenter is her current coach and Liang Chow was her Olympic coach.
When Coach Dana coached Gabby Douglas, Gabby was only 8 years old. “Gabby could have done just was well if she stayed in Virginia Beach,” coach said. “The coaches she had after me had a lot of experience coaching at the Elite level. Gabby had the same coaches that I had when I was taking gymnastics.”
Dana says, “We knew that Gabby Douglas was talented when she first walked into the gym. She had a great form for never having a coach before and she was naturally strong and flexible.” The coaches had strong beliefs for Gabby.
Coach Dana’s dream is for Gabby to visit Cartwheels Gymnastics someday. Gabby Douglas wouldn’t be as successful if it wasn’t for Coach Dana from Clifton Park, New York!
Categories: Uncategorized
