Dominique Moceanu was born in Hollywood, California on September 30, 1981. Her parents Dimitri and Camelia are from Romania. Her dad was on the Romanian Junior National Team. Her mom was also a successful gymnast. Her first gym was in Highland Park, Illinois. She was three and a half years old. Dominique began competing with a gym in Tampa, Florida called LaFleur's. She moved on to train with the Karolyis in Texas. Dominique competed at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy in 2000. Dominique was on the US National Team eight times.

Her first elite meet was in 1991. She won beam at the US Classic. In 1992, Dominique placed tenth all-around at the US Classic. By placing tenth she qualified to the US National Championships. At nationals she placed second on balance beam and fifth all-around. She became the youngest gymnast to ever make the national team!

At the end of 1992, Dominique finished second all-around at the Junior Pan American Games. Dominique began her 1993 season by placing 10th at the American Classic. She finished 12th at the US Olympic Festival. At the US Classic, Dominique placed eighth. Dominique made the national team by placing seventh at the National Championships. She traveled to Belgium for the International Tournament of Jr. Women's Gymnastics. She finished first on beam!

Dominique began her 1994 season by placing fourth at the American Classic. At the National Championships she finished first! Dominique began her 1995 season by placing first on uneven bars at the Reese's International Gymnastics Cup. She followed that up by winning the Visa Challenge. At the American Classic she finished second all-around. Dominique then won the US National Championships. She became the youngest US National Champion ever. She continued doing well by winning the gold at the World Team Trials. At the World Championships she helped the team win a bronze medal. Dominique also won a silver on the beam!

In 1996, Dominique finished third all-around at the US Nationals. Nagging shin splints kept her out of the event finals competition. She later was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her shin. She petitioned on to the Olympic Team. Dominique helped the USA win its first gold medal in the women's team competition. She competed in the all-around, beam and floor finals also.

1997 was a hard year for Dominique. She helped the USA team finished second at the International Team Championships. She then placed third at the Reese's Cup. At nationals she finished ninth all-around. She went on to help the USA team finish sixth at the World Championships. At the 1998 Goodwill Games Dominique became the first USA women to win the all-around title. Nationals went very well for her. She placed third all-around, first on vault, and first on beam!

A knee injury kept her out of the 1999 season. She began her comeback in 2000 by placing sixth all-around at the US Classic. At the National Championships she finished eighth all-around. Dominique had to withdraw from the Olympic Trials in Boston.

In 2005, she began a comeback. She performed a floor routine at the International Hall of Fame Classic that included a full in. After achillies pain for a couple months, Dominique had to pull out of her first meet back. After surgery, she participated in a National Team Training Camp. Dominique competed at the US Classic but did not have a very good meet. She trained with her new husband, Mike Canales at Gymnastics World in Cleveland, Ohio. Dominique gave birth to her first child, Carmen Noel, on December 25, 2007.

Fast Facts Name: Dominique Moceanu Birthday: September 30, 1981 Club: Karolyi's Official Website

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS 1998: Goodwill Games Champion 1998: US Nationals- 3rd AA 1997: World Championships Particpant 1996: Olympic Team Champion 1995: World Championships- 2nd BB, 3rd TM 1995: US National Champion 1994: Junior US National Champion 1992: Youngest National Team Member

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