Olessia Dounaeva was born on June 29, 1997. She trained at Brandy Johnson's Gymnastics through the 2008 season. She then moved to Orlando Metro. She will graduate from high school in 2015.
In 2007, Olessia competed level seven. She won floor at the Gasparilla Classic. At the State Championships, she placed second on vault and fourth all-around. She moved up to level eight in 2008. She won bars, beam, floor and the all-around at the Gasparilla Classic. At Regionals, she placed third on bars. Olessia competed level nine in 2009. She finished first on beam, floor and the all-around at the Atlanta Crown Invitational. She won bars, beam and floor at the Sand Dollar Invitational.
Olessia moved up to level ten in 2010. She was limited by an elbow injury. She won beam at the Sand Dollar Invitational. She finished first on floor at the City of Lights Invite. Olessia won floor, her only event, at the State Championships. In 2011, Olessia finished third all-around at the Lady Luck Invitational. She won floor at the State Championships. At Regionals, she placed fourth all-around. She finished second on beam and floor.
Photos © Dounaeva Family
