Nastia Liukin

Nastia Liukin is a Russian-born American former artistic gymnast who retired in 2012.

She is a highly decorated athlete who has also appeared in competition shows like “Dancing With The Stars,” where she competed with Derek Hough and placed fourth.

Nastia Liukin was born on October 30, 1989, in Moscow, Russia. She is the only child of two former Soviet champion gymnasts: 1988 Summer Olympics double-gold medalist Valeri Liukin and 1987 World clubs champion in rhythmic gymnastics Anna Kotchneva. The family immigrated to the United States when Nastia was two and a half years old and settled first in New Orleans before moving to Texas.

Liukin began gymnastics at the age of six. She made her senior international debut in 2005 and immediately made an impact, winning the gold medal on the balance beam and the silver medal on the uneven bars at the World Championships. She went on to win the all-around title at the 2006 World Championships, becoming the first American woman to do so since Shannon Miller in 1994.

In 2008, Liukin competed at the Olympic Games in Beijing. She won the gold medal in the all-around, becoming the first American woman to do so since Mary Lou Retton in 1984. She also won the silver medal on the balance beam and the bronze medal on the floor exercise. Liukin's five Olympic medals tied the record for the most medals won by an American gymnast at a single Olympic Games.

• 2008 Olympic all-around champion
• 2008 Olympic silver medalist on the balance beam
• 2008 Olympic bronze medalist on the floor exercise
• 2005 and 2007 World champion on the balance beam
• 2005 World champion on the uneven bars
• Four-time U.S. national champion
• ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete (2009)
• Women's Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year (2008)

Nastia Liukin is one of the most decorated gymnasts in American history. She is a role model for young people around the world and an inspiration to many people who have overcome adversity. Her legacy will continue to inspire gymnasts for generations to come.

She continues to reach a younger generation through her social media channels and the Nastia Liukin Cup, an annual artistic gymnastic competition that she hosts to give younger gymnasts a platform to showcase their talent.