Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin recalls gymnastics injury on Fox's 'Special Forces: World's Toughest Test.'
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In Episode 3, titled "Mindset," Nastia unearths that she in the past suffered a gymnastics injury that prevents her from retaining her breath for extended classes of time. Keep studying to find out extra about, including why the Olympic all-around champion determined to retire from the game.
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It's no secret that injuries are a part of being competing as an elite gymnast. With ladies attempting twists and flips on four apparatuses —balance beam, floor, uneven bars, and vault — gymnastics can without a doubt take a toll on the body.
For the Day Three challenge on Special Forces, the competition are asked to hold their breath for 20 seconds whilst inside a automobile that has been submerged underwater. Nastia is hesitant to participate in the challenge, noting that she has a hard time conserving her breath because of a prior gymnastics injury.
"I understand, this isn't a fear," she tells the Directing Staff. "I hit my face on the [uneven] bar, and I can't breathe like I can't hold my breath more than 10 seconds."
However, with a bit of coaching and encouragement from the Staff, Nastia gets into the car — along former Navy SEAL Remi Adeleke — and completes the challenge.
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Why did Nastia Liukin retire from gymnastics?
In 2008, the sector watched as Nastia was once topped the Olympic All-Around champion at 19 years outdated. Hoping to try a repeat, Nastia competed to make the Olympic team in 2012. However, in contrast to four years prior, the gymnast would now not be competing on all four apparatuses however instead was once hoping to be named a "specialist" in her best possible event, the asymmetric bars.
On Day 2 of the Olympic trials, Nastia broke her shape on the uneven bars and landed directly on her again while making an attempt a signature free up move.
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"It's been exactly 10 years since my career ended," Nastia tells the digital camera throughout a one-on-one confessional with Fox's Special Forces. "I was the reigning Olympic All-Around champion and on my very best event, the uneven bars, I fell flat on my face."
"I got back up, knowing that my career was over," she persisted. "I'm kind of looking forward to figuring out what my limits are and knowing I'm more than, you know, a girl in a pink leotard."
Though Nastia retired from the sport, she didn't stroll clear of gymnastics totally. The gold medalist these days works as a correspondent within the sport, as well as introduced her personal line of leotards, hosts her own gymnastics pageant (titled the Nastia Liukin Cup), and works as a social media influencer.
Overall, the elite athlete has confirmed that she is greater than just a girl in a red leotard.
Watch new episodes of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test on Wednesdays at Nine p.m. EST on Fox.
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