The world of gymnastics has been graced with iconic moments that continue to captivate us, leaving a mark on the sport’s history. From Nadia Comaneci’s Perfect 10 on Bars at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal to Simone Biles achieving Biles II at the 2023 World Artistic Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, and many others, these iconic moments have stood the test of time.
Adding to this prestigious list is a routine performed by a former artistic gymnast from UCLA at the NCAA championships years ago. This routine combined athleticism with artistic finesse and left a lasting impression on the gymnastics world, including the most decorated gymnast ever, Simone Biles.
A floor routine that went viral
In 2018, at the Pac-12 Championships, UCLA’s Katelyn Ohashi delivered a “Thriller” quite literally when she performed a floor routine that stunned the world. The routine featured songs like “Thriller” and “The Way You Make Me Feel” by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. With her unparalleled skill and infectious energy, Ohashi garnered a remarkable score of 9.95 out of 10, igniting the crowd to their feet in applause.
The next year, Ohashi once again performed the routine at UCLA’s gymnastics season opener on Jan. 5 and repeated it on Jan. 12 in a UCLA versus Cal showdown that earned her a perfect 10. And this score was repeated once more when Katelyn Ohashi performed the routine on Feb. 10 at a meet against Washington. Since then, Ohashi’s Michael Jackson-themed floor routine has become a viral sensation and still stands as one of the most iconic floor routines in college gymnastics. Did you know it was so iconic that it was even applauded by Simone Biles?
How Simone Biles applauded Katelyn Ohashi
In 2019, Simone Biles gave an interview with Olympics.com and discussed her plans after the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. She shared that she had planned to headline a national tour in the United States following her participation in the Tokyo Olympics. This tour was called “The Gold Over America Tour,” and Biles shared how she would visit 35 cities across the country, including major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and her hometown of Houston. While speaking of her plans, Biles mentioned that the tour will include former UCLA gymnast Katelyn Ohashi, who gained fame for her viral floor routine.
She shared, “She made her mark, She put college gymnastics and gymnastics … back on the map.” As we reflect on the excellence exemplified by athletes like Ohashi and Biles, fans eagerly anticipate the unfolding of the 2024 Olympic year. With each new competition, they hope to witness blazing performances that push the boundaries of gymnastics even further. Who are you rooting for this year? Comment below!
