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Home • Celebrity

13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics

Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas are two extraordinarily talented young Black gymnasts who have taken the world by storm over the last few years, but there's also been a few other ladies who set the bar high and left lasting marks in their own ways.  Here's a look at 13 Black women who helped change the face of gymnastics. 
By Rachaell Davis · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
Dominique Dawes

Three-time Olympian; first Black person to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics; first Black woman to win an individual Olympic medal in artists gymnastics

 

13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics
ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images
02
Gabrielle Douglas

First Black woman in history to become individual all-around Olympic champion; only American all-around champion to win multiple gold medals in a single Olympic games; member of 2016 U.S. Olympic Team.

 

13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
03
Simone Biles

Holds record for most gold medals won by a female gymnast in World Championships history; first African-American to become World all-around champion; member of 2016 U.S. Olympic Team.

 

13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics
Harry How/Getty Images
04
Diane Durham

First elite U.S. Gymnast to train under legendary coach Bella Karolyi. Two-time Junior National Champion; Senior National Champion.

 

13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics
Getty Images
05
Luci Collins

Became the first Black female to make an Olympics team in 1980.

13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics
Getty Images
06
Kyla Ross

Olympic Gold Medalist of the “fierce five” 2012 U.S. Gymnastics Team

 

13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
07
Betty Okino

World Gymnastics Championships Silver Medalist of the 1991 U.S. Gymnastics Team; Olympic Bronze Medalist of the 1992 U.S. Gymnastics Team.

13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics
Tony Duffy /Allsport
08
Sophina DeJesus

Elite gymnast of the UCLA Bruins gymnastics team since 2012; gained notoriety in 2016 for viral video of floor exercise routine incorporating popular Hip Hop dance moves. 

13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics
AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
09
Dionne Foster

Became first elite gymnast in history from the state of Alabama at the age of 13; member of Alabama’s 1991 NCAA Gymnastic Championship Team.

13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics
Getty images
10
Andree Pickens

Elite University of Alabama gymnast; won 14 All-American honors; won 2 NCAA individual titles.

13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics
Getty Images
11
Diandra Milliner

Elite University of Alabama gymnast; won 8 All-American honors; contributed to the teams’ 2011 & 2012 Championship wins.

13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics
AP
12
Morgan Dennis

Won six All-American honors and an NCAA title as a University of Alabama gymnast.

13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics
Alabama Gymnastics via Twitter
13
Ashley Miles

University of Alabama gymnast who was member of the 2001 bronze medal winning worlds team; earned 3 NCAA titles; earned 12 All-American honors.

13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics
Steve Grayson
13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics

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