Shining Through: An Interview with Katelyn Ohashi

Perfection, that most elusive quality of human endeavor, is sought after, nearly always in vain, by CEOs, military commanders, pilots, parents, students, doctors, and athletes. It wavers ghostlike on the horizon of achievement, almost always just out of reach.

“Practice makes perfect,” the old saying goes, but does it really? In baseball, a player is considered great if he hits the ball slightly more than three times out of ten, and those guys take batting practice daily. The world’s best surgeons experience “complications” in what is commonly referred to as their medical “practice,” and every chef at every Michelin-starred restaurant in the world overcooks the fish or undercooks the chicken on occasion. In fact, perfection is likely the state of being experienced by fewer humans than any other.

Occasionally, though, perfection happens.

Photo courtesy of Gold Over America Tour

Come with me to the 2019 Collegiate Challenge, a gathering of the nation’s top college gymnasts. Katelyn Ohashi stands in the corner of the floor exercise mat, no doubt nervous but looking entirely relaxed. Her UCLA gymnastics team had won the 2018 PAC-12 and National Championships, so this is just another day at the office for the highly-decorated, 21-year-old North Texas gymnast. However, something magical is about to happen.

Before the music starts, Ohashi smiles and does a little dance. You can tell she’s in the groove. The music begins – a medley of Motown, R&B, and pop that gets the blood pumping. When she sticks her first breathtaking tumbling pass, the look on her face is one of supreme confidence, the culmination of a lifetime preparing for this moment. It’s as if she knows she has this one in the bag. Her next pass is even more electrifying, and for the next two minutes, Ohashi dazzles the crowd and the judges alike. She dances, flies, struts, claps to the crowd, and grins from ear to ear while her teammates dance along and cheer in the background. It’s a moment of perfection.

In the world of gymnastics, where precision, determination, and commitment reign supreme, Katelyn Ohashi captured the hearts of millions with her electrifying performance. That routine left an indelible mark on the sport and became a beacon of inspiration for countless young athletes worldwide.

What made Ohashi’s performance genuinely remarkable was not just her technical proficiency but also the palpable joy and exuberance she exuded throughout the routine. From her infectious smile to her energetic choreography, she radiated pure happiness with every movement.

Those two minutes of perfection went viral immediately and have since garnered 244 million views on YouTube. What is more astonishing, though, is this was the first of SIX perfect 10s Ohashi would achieve in the 2019 season and one of ELEVEN she achieved over her college career. That’s a whole lot of perfection for one person, especially when you consider the subjectivity inherent in a judging process conducted by multiple fallible human beings.

UCLA Athletics – 2019 UCLA Women’s Gymnastics versus the Utah State. Pauley Pavilion, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.
March 16th, 2019
Copyright Don Liebig/ASUCLA
190316_GYM_1172.NEF
Courtesy of Gold Over America Tour

When I asked her about that routine, Ohashi shared, “To have that highlight in my career shows that I didn’t need the Olympics or any medals to make myself feel whole or to create that level of success. It didn’t come from being number one. It came from me having so much fun in the sport.” Ohashi then went on to recount two of her favorite moments in a career rife with accomplishment.

“I remember the 2012 Pacific Rims [Pacific Rim Gymnastic Championships]. It was one of my bigger international assignments I had done. I hit my peak at this point. My whole family got to come out. We [the athletes] were all struggling with injuries. We were all struggling together, and it was this beautiful competition… I just remember the American flag coming down and we had won… we were standing on the podium, and it was this moment that felt like everything was worth it. All the struggle, all the pain that we felt. It was really beautiful to me.”

Ohashi paused. “Another one was in 2018 at the NCAA Championships. It was a story of triumph and never giving up. UCLA was down really bad halfway through the competition. It would have been easy to say, ‘Okay, well we’re not going to win. We’ll do what we came here to do, but we have no hope.’ We needed to average a 9.95 on beam. No one had gotten a 9.95 on beam that whole competition, and that’s what we had to average. Then our second girl fell so the pressure was on. In that moment, I told everyone this is where we thrive; under pressure is where we do the best and have the most fun.” UCLA went on to win that competition in a magical come-from-behind triumph.

Ohashi was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up right here in North Texas, graduating from Plano Senior High in 2015 before attending UCLA. She started gymnastics at age three and began competing at the national level at age 12. She has spent a literal lifetime in the pursuit of perfection. While perfection has come, it has come at a cost. Like most athletes, Ohashi has dealt with more than her fair share of injuries. In April 2013, after winning the American Cup in March (defeating teammate Simone Biles), she suffered a shoulder injury that took her out of competition for the rest of the year. In 2014, she suffered two torn shoulders, had spinal surgery, and did not return to competition until 2015. As a freshman at UCLA, she landed on her neck when dismounting a faulty balance beam and suffered a sternal fracture. In typical Ohashi fashion, however, she persevered and returned even stronger. And while she never competed in the Olympics, she is still one of the most-recognized and most-loved women gymnasts of the 21^st century.

Photo courtesy of Gold Over America Tour

In a sport infamous for intense pressure on and scrutiny of children, Ohashi, like so many other gymnasts, suffered routine body-shaming from coaches and developed an eating disorder at an early age. She is very outspoken about the win-at-all-costs attitude within youth sports that often sacrifices kids’ mental and physical health on the altar of Victory. Ohashi is refreshingly candid about her struggles with body image, self-esteem, and the pressures of elite competition. While her athletic prowess is undeniable, her authenticity and vulnerability have resonated the most with her fans. In many candid interviews and heartfelt social media posts, Ohashi uses her platform to advocate for self-love, body positivity, and mental health awareness, inspiring young athletes to pursue their passions without fear of judgment.

Because of her honesty and willingness to speak out, Ohashi has become a sought-after speaker and activist, using her voice to champion causes close to her heart. From advocating for gender equality in sports to speaking out against all kinds of bullying, Ohashi is deeply committed to creating positive change in the world. Through her actions and words, she inspires others to stand up for what they believe in and use their voices to make a difference.

In 2021, Ohashi came out of retirement and took her message of positivity on the road as part of the Gold Over America Tour. When I asked if she had any advice for young athletes, Ohashi said, “My advice is to not compare yourself to one another… This tour is the perfect example of that because we all come from different walks of life, we’ve all had different experiences, we don’t look the same, our gymnastics doesn’t look the same, so I feel like it shows you follow your own unique path. You can have motivation from us, you can get inspiration from us, but really, your journey comes from you… there’s something really important in living authentically to yourself, and that’s what this whole tour is about. It’s supposed to bring joy and be uplifting and inspire people to feel comfortable in their own skin.”

Conceived by Olympic champion Simone Biles and featuring an ensemble cast of world-class gymnasts, dancers, and entertainers, the Gold Over America Tour transcends traditional boundaries to deliver a spectacle that celebrates the power, grace, and resilience of women in sport.

As the most decorated gymnast in world championship history and a four-time Olympic gold medalist, Biles not only shattered records but also shattered stereotypes, proving that greatness knows no bounds. Inspired by her journey and that of her fellow gymnasts and fueled by a desire to empower the next generation of female athletes, Biles envisioned a tour that would showcase the incredible talents of women athletes while celebrating their individuality, strength, and resilience. So, who better to include in that ensemble than Katelyn Ohashi?

Photo courtesy of Gold Over America Tour

At its heart, the Gold Over America Tour is a celebration of athleticism, artistry, and empowerment. It is a groundbreaking extravaganza that combines breathtaking gymnastics routines with electrifying performances, dynamic choreography, and powerful storytelling. From gravity-defying flips and twists to mesmerizing dance sequences, each performance is an inspirational testament to the dedication, skill, and passion of the athletes who grace the stage. Led by Biles herself, the tour features a diverse lineup of gymnasts from around the world, each bringing their unique style and flair to the spotlight.

What makes the Gold Over America Tour especially unique is its emphasis on inclusivity and diversity, both in terms of the performers and the audience. Representing a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, the athletes on tour serve as role models for young people everywhere, proving that anything is possible with hard work, determination, and perseverance. From Olympic champions to rising stars, the tour showcases the full spectrum of talent within the gymnastics community, inspiring audiences of all ages to dream big and reach for the stars.

Beyond the dazzling displays of athleticism, the Gold Over America Tour is a platform for empowerment and advocacy. Through their performances and personal stories, the athletes on tour address important issues such as body image, mental health, and the culture of winning no matter the cost, sparking conversations and fostering a sense of solidarity among audience members. By sharing their triumphs and challenges, these elite athletes empower others to love themselves and pursue their passions with courage and conviction.

Katelyn Ohashi ©Emily Howell Forbes
Courtesy of Gold Over America Tour

As the Gold Over America Tour enters its fourth year, it continues to dazzle audiences and inspire change; its impact on the world of gymnastics and beyond is undeniable. From its groundbreaking performances to its commitment to empowerment and advocacy, the tour represents a new era of possibility and potential for female athletes everywhere. Through their talent, passion, and resilience, the athletes on tour are redefining the sport of gymnastics and reshaping the narrative surrounding women in sports.

For Katelyn Ohashi, the tour represents an opportunity to showcase gymnastics outside its most popular format. “Gymnastics has grown so much in the last several years, gymnastics beyond the Olympics. Gymnastics is always huge during the Olympics, but now people are watching college gymnastics, and we’re selling out arenas all over. So, when Simone decided to create this tour, it was kind of like for the first time, you get to see gymnasts that aren’t at the Olympics, that aren’t the top one percent [of competitors], and little girls can have a really tangible goal… the Olympics is only five girls every four years, and you realize not everyone gets that opportunity. So it was a no-brainer for me to do the tour.”

This year, the tour will feature several gymnasts who are bound for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris and many who are not. Fortunately for Fort Worthians, the tour will make a stop here with a performance at Dickie’s Arena on October 20^th. It’s a rare opportunity to see the best gymnasts in the world doing what they love to do. And who knows, a new Olympic Champion may be in the house.