Will Katelyn Ohashi Become the World's Greatest Gymnast?
The question of whether Katelyn Ohashi will become the world's greatest gymnast is a topic of much discussion within the gymnastics community. Known for her exceptional floor routines and viral performance at the 2019 NCAA Championships, where she scored a perfect 10, Ohashi has already made a significant impact on the sport. However, whether she will achieve the pinnacle of gymnastics remains uncertain.
Transition from Elite to College Gymnastics
As of August 2023, Ohashi had transitioned away from elite gymnastics to focus on other pursuits, including advocacy and public speaking. While she has made a substantial impact on the sport, the title of greatest gymnast is a complex and multifaceted achievement. Greatness in gymnastics can be measured in different ways, including artistic expression, technical skill, and influence on the sport.
Comparing Ohashi and Simone Biles
While it is often stated that Ohashi would be better than Symone (Simone Biles) if she had not broken her back, the issue remains that we will never know for certain. Ohashi has proven her ability to perform at an Olympic level before her injury, and she has shown an impressive recovery from her back injury. Nonetheless, the transition from elite to college gymnastics presents significant challenges.
College gymnastics is a team sport where emphasis is placed on individual performance without making mistakes. Taking risks is discouraged, as a low score can jeopardize the entire team's performance. Unlike elite gymnastics, where individual and team competitions have separate pressures, college gymnastics is focused on the all-around score, making it less about increasing difficulty.
Ohashi's Chances in Elite Gymnastics
Despite her talent, Ohashi faces several obstacles if she aims to compete at the elite level. Her floor routine, which captured the hearts of many during her senior year at UCLA, lacked the necessary difficulty to qualify her for a world or Olympic team. Floor exercise was Ohashi's best event, but the required degree of difficulty to reach the elite level is significantly higher.
Furthermore, Ohashi's age (22) and the transition from a high-level training regimen to a college schedule present additional challenges. College athletes are limited to 20 practice hours per week to ensure they have time for their studies and to reduce injury risks. This limitation means that skills can become rusty during the transition. Even an outstanding performer like Brenna Dowell, who dropped out of the University of Oklahoma to train harder, could not improve her chances of qualifying for the Olympic team.
The Role of Coaching and System
Under the coaching regime of the legendary Bela and Marta Karolyi, it was not uncommon for gymnasts to be selected for a team based on their performance on one apparatus. This system, which was marred by the association with Dr. Larry Nassar, may continue, presenting a significant barrier for Ohashi if she aims to compete at the elite level.
Conclusion
At 22, it would be challenging for Katelyn Ohashi to become the world's greatest gymnast. She would need to train harder and longer than she has since her college days, learn new and more difficult moves, and hope to avoid injuries. The odds against her are too high, and it may be that she pursues a different path in gymnastics.
However, Ohashi's legacy as an inspiring figure in gymnastics will undoubtedly continue, whether or not she reaches the highest levels of competition. The future of gymnastics is bright with her and other gymnasts who continue to push boundaries and redefine the sport.