Guide Note

Nastia Liukin is a Russian-born gymnast and member of the U.S. women's gymnastics team that competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Liukin won five medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics: one gold, three silver and one bronze. Her gold medal came in the women's individual all-around competition. Liukin's five medals led all other gymnasts at the 2008 Summer Games and tied the U.S. record set by Mary Lou Retton in 1984 and Shannon Miller in 1992.¹

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Anastasia Valeryevna Liukin
2. Born: October 30, 1989
3. Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
4. Resides: Plano, Texas
5. Nicknames: Nastia, Nast
6. Height: 5'2"
7. Discipline: Women's Artistic Gymnastics
8. Level: Senior International Elite
9. Member of the National Team (2002 - 2008)
10. Coached by her father, Valeri Liukin
11. Four-time World Champion
12. Nine-time World medalist
13. Four-time U.S. National Champion
14. 2005: Named Gymnast of the Year by the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
15. Parents are Soviet champion gymnasts Valeri Liukin and Anna Kotchneva

In 2005, Nastia Liukin won gold medals at the National Championships and was named Gymnast of the Year by the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. In the 2006 American Cup she placed first in the all-around. In 2007, Liukin received the highest scores at the U.S. National Championship despite an ankle injury.

Nastia Liukin competed in the 2008 Olympics on the U.S. women's gymnastics team.²

On August 15, 2008, Liukin won the gold medal in the women's all-around gymnastics competition. The award was especially meaningful to Liukin since her father, gymnast Valeri Liukin, never won the gold medal in all-around gymnastics. Nastia Liukin stated, "He was so close to winning that all-around gold medal. I hope I made up for that. I hope he is as proud of this as I am."³

Nastia Liukin Pictures | American Cup | Paul Hamm | Olympics | Nastia Liukin Gold Medal | Anna Liukin | Valeri Liukin | Gymnastics | Shawn Johnson | Shawn Johnson Gold