Floarea Leonida
Floarea
- Birthday-January 13, 1987
- Hometown-Bucharest
- Club-Army Sports Steaua
- Parents-Her father is a bartender and her mother is a cleaner
- Siblings-One brother, age 21
- Began Gymnastics-Age 3
- Coaches-Eliza Stoica, Mariana Dudas, Elena Ceampelea
- Best Friend-Florenta Oancea
Favorites. . .
- Gymnast-Claudia Presacan, Maria Olaru
- Apparatus-Beam
- Hobbies-Playing Cards, crosswords
- Skill-Flip flop, back handspring, tucked full
Floarea first became known on the international scene at only twelve years old, when she made the cover of International Gymnast's magazine with her best friend, Florenta Oancea in January 1999. The previous fall, Floarea and Florenta spent six weeks in the United States with their coach, Eliza Stoica. They trained at an American gym and experienced the Thanksgiving holiday during their stay. (At the big meal, Floarea's favorite foods were the fudge and desserts)
Floarea, better known by some as Florica, gained experience competing abroad for her home club of Steaua in Italy. During her travels, Ludivine Furnon was the first non-Romanian worlds medallist that she met.
2002 has been a big year for Floarea thus far. She won the Romanian International and led the junior team at the European Championships. At only fourteen, she is well on her way to her goal of competing at the 2004 Olympics and winning the gold medal on the balance beam.
Results
- 1999 Jr National Club Championships-1st Team, 2nd A-A
- 1999 Junior Friendly Cup-6th A-A, 2nd Team
- 1999 Romanian Nationals-1st Team (Steaua)
- 1999 Steaua Bucharest vs GTV De Hazenkamp(NED) Dual Meet-2nd Team, 8th A-A
- 2001 Romanian Junior Nationals- 3rd A-A, 1st UB
- 2002 Romanian International-1st A-A, 1st BB, 1st FX, 2nd UB
- 2002 Junior European Championships-2nd Team, 2nd A-A, 1st BB, 2nd FX
- 2002 Romania v Great Britain Dual Meet- 1st Team, 10th A-A(3 events only), 3rd BB, 3rd UB
- 2002 Cefta Cup- 2nd A-A
- 2002 Romanian Nationals- 1st A-A, 1st FX, 3rd UB, 3rd V, 3rd BB
- 2002 Golden Lily Tournament- withdrawn due to injury
- 2003 American Cup- 5th A-A
- 2003 French International- 4th UB, 2nd BB, 3rd FX
- 2003 "NOY NOY" Grand Prix- 1st FX, 4th BB, 7th UB
- 2003 8-Nation Meet(AUS-CAN-ESP-FRA-GBR-NED-ROM-UKR)