Career
In April 2009, Aly Raisman competed at the American Classic in San Diego, where she was placed tenth in all-around. In July, she competed at the US Classic in Iowa, and was placed 12th in all-around. In August, she competed at the National Championships in Dallas, and was placed third in all-around. In event finals, she was placed fifth on vault, and second on balance beam. In November, she competed at the Junior Pan American Championships in Brazil, and individually, was placed third in all-around and first on vault and floor.
In March 2010, she competed at the American Cup in Worcester, and was placed second in all-around. In May, she competed at the Pacific Rim Championships in Melbourne, and helped the American team win the gold medal. She was placed second in all-around, and in event finals, she was placed seventh on the bars, second on the balance beam, and on floor.
In July 2010, she competed at the US Classic in Chicago and was placed fifth. In August, she participated at the National Championships in Connecticut and was placed third in all-around. In the event finals, she was placed third on balance beam, and on floor. In October, she competed at the 2010 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam, and individually she was placed 13th in all-around and fourth in the floor.
In March 2011, Aly was placed third at the American Cup in Florida. In July, she won all-around at the US Classic in Chicago. In August, she competed at the National Championships in Minnesota, and was placed third in all-around. In event finals, she was placed sixth on balance beam and third on floor.
She then competed at the 2011 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Tokyo. She was made the captain of the team when the current captain Sacramone was injured before the competition. Individually, she was placed fourth in all-around, and in the event finals, she was placed fourth on balance beam, and third on floor.
In November 2011, she decided to become a professional athlete, so she gave up her NCAA eligibility and a scholarship to the University of Florida, and signed with the Octagon sports management firm.
Aly Raisman completed her senior year through online classes as she was being trained for the Olympics. She graduated from Needham High School in 2012. She also started attending Babson College in Massachusetts the following year.
In March 2012, she competed at the American Cup in New York City, and was placed second. In May, she competed at the US Classic in Chicago, and won all-around. In June, she competed at the National Championships in St. Louis, and was placed third in all-around, first on beam and floor. In July, she was placed third in all-around at the Olympic Trials in California, and first on balance beam and floor.
In July 2012, a documentary was made on her titled ‘Aly Raisman: Quest for Gold’.
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She then competed at the 2012 Olympics in London which started in late July. Performing brilliantly, she helped the American team win the gold medal. Individually, she qualified for the second place in all-around. In the balance beam final, she won the bronze medal. In the floor final, she came first, and earned the credit of been the first American woman to win a gold medal on floor.
Following the 2012 Olympic Games, she took a break from competitive gymnastics and returned to competition to pursue her second Olympic berth. In 2014, she was named as a member of the US National Team.
In March 2015, Aly made her comeback to competition at the City of Jesolo Trophy where she received a gold medal with the US team, and individually won bronze medal in the all-around. In July, she competed at the US Classic, and was placed ninth on bars, second on beam, and fifth on floor. In August, she competed at the National Championships in Indianapolis and finished third. After the competition, she received an invitation to the World Championships selection camp in September.
In March 2016, at the City of Jesolo Trophy she finished sixth in all-around, first on floor, and third on beam. At the Pacific Rim Championships, she won gold with the US team, silver in all-around, and another silver on balance beam. Next, she won the US Classic in Hartford where she was placed first on vault and floor, and third on beam.
In June 2016, she competed at the National Championships, and finished second. After Olympic Trials she was named to the 2016 US Olympic women’s gymnastics team.
At the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Aly and her team mates performed very well and easily qualified for the team final. Individually, Aly qualified second to the all-around final. She also qualified to floor exercise final, where she was the defending Olympic champion from the London Games.
Proceeding to the finals at various events at the Rio Olympics, she competed on vault, balance beam, and floor exercise to help win the gold medal for the US team, and defend the title she had earned with the ‘Fierce Five’ in 2012. In the floor final, she finished second. Overall, she won a total of six Olympic medals from the 2012 and 2016 Games. This made her the second most decorated American Olympic gymnast.
