Gabby Douglas Can Defend Her All Around Title

Jul 21, 2013 by Anne Phillips

On May 20, Olympic Champion Gabby Douglas took the first step to defending her Olympic All Around title: returning to training at Chow's Gymnastics and Dance in Iowa. Immediately, the media was abuzz and excitement flowed throughout the gymnastics world. The reigning Olympic Champion is back for more!

In June, Gymnastike had the honor of visiting Douglas, renown coach Liang Chow, and the famed gymnastics club for our latest production of "Beyond the Routine". Obviously, I was beyond excited to get the first look at our Olympic Champion back in the gym. However, I didn't know what to expect, or how serious she would be about a return to competition. The gymnastics world has seen many past Champions return to the gym after Olympic Glory, but nearly every one has seen underwhelming results.

When we arrived, Douglas had only been back in the gym for one month. The global superstar spent a total of nine months away from gymnastics while touring the country, headlining talk shows, and promoting two books.

I first saw Gabby the night we arrived at her Iowa home with her host family, the Partons. Despite becoming a household name over the summer, she hadn't changed. Gabby played with her host sisters, goofed around with host dad Travis, and helped cook dinner. The 17-year-old was just another member of a loving family.

The following two days, I had the pleasure of observing training. Gabby was back in familiar territory, and just like at home, you would never be able to tell you were in the presence of a celebrity. Physically, she looked like she never left, thanks to her new schedule of grueling conditioning. She looked fit, sharp, energetic and focused. I have to admit, I was blown away.

Chow recognized her committment to training right away. She is not satisfied with one Olympic Games. She wants more. "I felt the hunger in her eyes of wanting to be back on the training floor and competition floor," Chow said when descirbing her first day back at the gym. "I was looking for that."

There were two coaching qualities that were most apparent to me about coach Chow: his patience and his keen ability to think long-term. Chow is not targeting this summer, or even next spring with Gabby and his group of new elites. He is laying out a master plan with a three year focus, peaking August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

Mastermind Chow only worked with Gabby for approximately 1 year and nine months before claiming the sport's ultimate title of Olympic All Around Champion. In that time, Gabby experienced a meteoric rise to the top and looked to be improving every day up until the all around final. This time around, Chow can take it slow. He can go back to basics with his gifted athlete, putting his trademark technique into each skill.

"We are still trying to catch up with the things we left out," Chow points out. "Also right now is a perfect timing for us to work on the little details, the basics, the preciseness, plus the conditioning and the flexibility. It's coming along really well."

Chow is already very pleased with her progress in getting back in shape. He is still very realistic that they have a long way to go, but they are ready to put in the hours and train smart.

"It's going to take much more hard work", Gabby pointed out. "It's going to be different than London because everyone knows me now and there are expectations."

I, for one, have high expectations. After my week in Iowa, I have complete faith that Gabby can defend her all around title in 2016.

"She was an Olympic Champion, but she has not reached her full potential yet," Chow boldly stated with a smile. Imagine what Gabby can achieve in another three years under Chow's tutelage.

You can see for yourself what training is like at Chow's Gymnastics and step inside Gabby's life back home in Iowa when Episode 1 of Beyond the Routine with Chow's Gymnastics premieres Tuesday, July 23 in Gymnastike Gold. Watch as Gabby Douglas and her younger teammates - Norah Flatley, Alexis Vasquez, and Rachel Gowey - begin their journey to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

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