University of California (UCLA) gymnast Katelyn Ohashi has gone viral as her new floor routine landed her a perfect 10 at the Collegiate Challenge in Anaheim, USA.
After setting tongues wagging in 2018 with a Michael Jackson-inspired routine at the Pac-12 she kept the theme rolling with this performance to a funky musical medley as she attained gymnastic perfection.
The King of Pop was again the inspiration for the crescendo of her routine.
As The Way You Make Me Feel played, Ohashi delivered three tumbles, into a split landing before standing to the raucous applause of the crowd and fellow competitors.
Sports Illustrated described the routine as “perfection”, HuffPost said it was “flawless” and UCLA tweeted that a “10 isn’t enough”.
Ohashi’s routine was the reason the internet fell in love with her.
How she was able to bounce back up from her final splits so quickly is simply astonishing, given the strain she put on a particularly sensitive part of her body. It was painful to watch — but thankfully Ohashi’s flexibility meant it was all part of her plan and she sprang to her feet without a hint of discomfort.
As Ohashi performed with a joyous smile beaming across her face, her teammates waiting in the wings actually danced along with her routine.
Social media also erupted in reaction to the effort with many women taking a moment to comment on just how much trouble they would have had with the flexible routine.
The gymnast had previously created headlines in 2018 with a Michael Jackson-inspired performance and this time she had Earth Wind and Fire’s September, The Jackson 5’s I Want You Back and The Way You Make Me Feel to accompany her slick moves.
Ohashi is the reigning NCAA co-champion in floor exercises and was also a 2018 NCAA team champion.
Before UCLA, Ohashi was competing at the elite level of gymnastics until she injured her back and shoulder, according to The Players’ Tribune. She decided to compete on the college level because of her injuries.
