Diana Chelaru of Romania, on the eve of the American Cup

Gymnastike caught up with 5th place American Cup finisher, Diana Chelaru of Romania, the day before the American Cup.  Relatively recently, 18-year-old Diana was out of the gym for five months because of an injury.  Here, she shares her thoughts on competing in the all around for the first time since the European Championships.  Diana did the entire interview in English, with no interpreter.    

Diana at the 2012 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac

Gymnastike:  This is you first all-around competition since the European Championships.  What are your goals here tomorrow?   

Diana:  . . . .  We want to have a good competition.  . . . 

Gymnastike:  You were injured last year and you were out of the gym for a long time.  Are you feeling better now?

Diana:  Yes.

Gymnastike:  What motivated you to keep working and come back after being out for five months?

Diana:  It’s not very hard because I was training slowly and very fast, I got there. . . .

Gymnastike:  Have you been to America before?

Diana:  No, this is my first time.

Gymnastike:  What are you enjoying the most?

Diana:  I like it very much.  . . .  It’s a good experience.

Gymnastike:  Thank you.  Good luck tomorrow.

Diana:  Thank you.