McKayla Maroney won vault gold at her first world championships, and helped the US team take the world title as well. She's a member of the 2012 Olympic team that earned gold, and earned a silver medal on vault. A photo taken during the vault awards ceremony showing her disappointment at her performance has since become a tumblr page called "McKayla is not impressed".
An Amazing Vaulter:
Maroney is probably best-known for her picture-perfect Amanar vault. At the 2010 junior US nationals, she garnered a lot of buzz when she stuck it cold. Watch her vault in 2010.
In 2011, Maroney became world vault champion -- only the third American to ever win this title. Watch Maroney win the world vault title.
In the team finals of the 2012 Olympics, Maroney again did one of the best vaults ever performed, earning a huge 16.233 score that helped the team win gold.
The favorite for the individual vault gold at the Olympics, Maroney won the silver medal in London after falling on her lesser-practiced vault, a round-off half-on front handspring full off.
Cool Skills:
Besides her Amanar vault, Maroney does a tour-jete half on beam (at :43), a Weiler kip to piked Jaegar combo (at :16) on bars, and a back 3.5 twist on floor (at :16).
Personal Life:
Born on December 9, 1995, Maroney lives in Laguna Niguel, CA. She's coached by Arthur Akopyan and Galina Marinova at All Olympia Gymnastics Center. (2010 world team member Mattie Larson also attended this gym).
Gymnastics Results:
International:
- 2012 Olympic Games: 1st team; 2nd vault
- 2012 City of Jesolo Trophy: 1st team; 4th all-around; 1st vault; 6th floor
- 2011 World Championships: 1st team; 1st vault
- 2011 City of Jesolo Trophy: 1st team; 1st all-around; 1st vault; 5th bars; 5th beam (tie); 4th floor
- 2010 Pan American Championships: 1st team; 1st vault; 1st floor
- 2012 US Olympic Trials: 7th all-around; 1st vault; 5th floor
- 2011 Visa Championships (US Nationals): 2nd all-around; 1st vault; 5th floor
- 2010 US Nationals (Junior Division): 3rd all-around; 1st vault; 4th floor (tie)
- 2010 US Classics (Junior Division): 7th all-around; 2nd vault (tie); 5th floor
- 2009 US Nationals (Junior Division): 3rd vault
