Katelyn Ohashi's final college gymnastics routine is a stunner
UCLA gymnast Katelyn Ohashi concluded her collegiate gymnastics career Saturday with a near-perfect routine that enthralled Twitter as usual. Ohashi's floor routine went viral earlier in 2019, but Saturday marked her last competitive performance of college – and perhaps of her life.
Ohashi competed with the same combination that earned her viral fame in January (not her first viral routine or perfect 10). ESPN notes that she removed a Jackson Five song in light of the current conversation around Michael Jackson since HBO's Leaving Neverland.
We had the honor of seeing Katelyn Ohashi perform her incredible floor routine when UCLA was at Michigan for the regionals. She was last to go, after every other apparatus was done. It was unreal. Goosebumps. Teary eyes. Stadium erupted with joy when she finished. https://t.co/tB7GOnMObE
— Susie Leopold (@BlastyLavagrrrl) April 21, 2019
All the talk of her successful career might feel premature for new Ohashi fans, but her most recent plan was to retire after this final performance. Ohashi has a history with the Olympics and had already planned to step away from the sport for good before college.
@katelyn_ohashi congratulations on an amazing collegiate career. You inspire so many and are so loved 💞🙌🏻 https://t.co/r7UuwtOVs5
— Callie Yeater (@Cpchick24) April 21, 2019
@katelyn_ohashi Great Job! Wonderful way to finish. You are an inspiration beyond the world of gymnastics. There are so many little girls or teen girls watching you and dreaming. Love your joy! https://t.co/siwbQAr2y5
— Spero Works (@speroworks) April 21, 2019
The performance earned Ohashi a 9.950 score out of 10 and congrats from U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles (whom she competed against for the American Cup in 2013 – and won), among many more.
I’m not crying, you are 💙 so proud of you Double Trouble. What a legend https://t.co/oShOHIaqqI
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) April 21, 2019
I remember my last collegiate meet, my last routine, my last time walking out on that floor like it was yesterday. 14 yrs later, this still hits me right in the feels. Congrats to @katelyn_ohashi & every other gymnast who capped their careers this weekend. Always a gymnast at ❤️ https://t.co/XsCBbQLKlF
— Allison Betof Warner (@DrBetofMDPhD) April 21, 2019
Katelyn (@katelyn_ohashi), from dazzling on the beam with extreme difficulty to lighting up the floor with incredible dancing and tumbling you have given us everything these last few years. Thank you for speaking your mind and bringing change to the sport, proud to be a Kate fan. pic.twitter.com/lc3xT7FfWX
— Dr. Sam (@samisadancer) April 21, 2019
WATCH: Here's how Simone Biles is chasing academic gold
