Sandra Izbașa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sandra Izbașa
Izbaşa on the beam in 2008
Personal information
Full name	Sandra Raluca Izbașa
Country represented	Romania
Born	(1990-06-18) 18 June 1990 (age 35) Bucharest, Romania
Height	167 cm (5 ft 6 in)
Discipline	Women's artistic gymnastics
Years on national team	2002–13 (ROU)
Club	CSA Steaua București
Head coach(es)	Octavian Bellu, Mariana Bitang
Former coach(es)	Nicolae Forminte, Livia Ponoran
Choreographer	Puia Valer, Adriana Pop
Music	2008: Taniec Eleny 2010: Kalinka and Hava Nagila 2011: Tango Amore 2012: Shine On You Crazy Diamond 2013: Feeling Good
Retired	April 10, 2014
Medal record Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 2 0 2 World Championships 0 1 2 European Championships 7 4 1 European Youth Olympic Festival 1 2 0 Women's artistic gymnastics Representing  Romania Olympic Games Gold 2008 Beijing Floor Exercise Gold 2012 London Vault Bronze 2008 Beijing Team Bronze 2012 London Team World Championships Silver 2006 Aarhus Balance Beam Bronze 2006 Aarhus All Around Bronze 2007 Stuttgart Team European Championships Gold 2006 Volos Floor Exercise Gold 2008 Clermont Team Gold 2008 Clermont Floor Exercise Gold 2011 Berlin Vault Gold 2011 Berlin Floor Exercise Gold 2012 Brussels Team Gold 2012 Brussels Vault Silver 2006 Volos Team Silver 2007 Amsterdam All Around Silver 2007 Amsterdam Balance Beam Silver 2008 Clermont Balance Beam Bronze 2006 Volos Balance Beam European Youth Olympic Festival Gold 2005 Lignano Sabbiadoro Vault Silver 2005 Lignano Sabbiadoro Team Silver 2005 Lignano Sabbiadoro Balance Beam

Sandra Raluca Izbașa is a famous retired artistic gymnast from Romania. She was born on June 18, 1990. Sandra is a double Olympic champion, which means she won two gold medals at the Olympic Games! She won gold for her amazing floor routine at the 2008 Olympics and for her powerful vault at the 2012 Olympics. She also earned two bronze medals with the Romanian team in both 2008 and 2012. Besides her Olympic wins, Sandra has many medals from World and European Championships.

Sandra's Gymnastics Journey

Starting Her Senior Career: 2006

In 2006, Sandra Izbașa began competing as a senior gymnast. At the European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Greece, her team won a silver medal. She also won a bronze medal on the balance beam and a gold medal for her floor exercise.

Later that year, at the 2006 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Denmark, Sandra helped the Romanian team finish fourth. She also won a bronze medal in the individual all-around competition. This means she was one of the top gymnasts overall! She also earned a silver medal on the balance beam.

More Medals and Challenges: 2007-2009

In 2007, Sandra continued to shine. At the 2007 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Amsterdam, she won a silver medal in the all-around competition. She also took home another silver medal on the balance beam.

At the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Germany, Sandra helped her team win a bronze medal.

The year 2008 was very successful for Sandra. At the 2008 European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships in France, her team won gold. She also won a silver medal on the balance beam and a gold medal for her floor routine.

Olympic Gold in Beijing: 2008

In August 2008, Sandra competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. She helped the Romanian team win a bronze medal. Individually, she performed an amazing floor routine and won her first Olympic gold medal!

In 2009, Sandra faced a challenge. She injured her right Achilles tendon while practicing a floor routine. This required surgery and time off from gymnastics.

Coming Back Strong: 2010-2011

Sandra Izbașa (first on the left) with her teammates in 2010

After her injury, Sandra made a great comeback in 2010. She won the floor final at a World Cup event in Belgium. She also won several medals at the Romanian National Championships, including gold on floor.

At the 2010 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in the Netherlands, Sandra helped her team finish fourth. She was happy to be back and helping her team.

In 2011, Sandra continued her strong return. She won the floor final at a World Cup event in Paris. At the 2011 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Berlin, she won two gold medals: one for vault and one for floor!

Unfortunately, she had to miss the 2011 World Championships due to another foot injury.

Another Olympic Gold: 2012

In 2012, Sandra was ready for more success. At the 2012 European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Belgium, her team won a gold medal. She also won the gold medal for her vault performance.

Floor exercise

Sandra Izbașa at the 2012 Olympics

London Olympics: 2012

In July 2012, Sandra competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. She helped the Romanian team win a bronze medal.

In the individual vault final, Sandra performed incredibly well and won her second Olympic gold medal! She was very surprised and happy about this win. In the floor final, she finished eighth after a small mistake. Sandra was chosen to be Romania's flag bearer for the Olympic closing ceremony, which is a great honor.

Later Career and Retirement: 2013-2014

In 2013, Sandra planned to compete at the European Championships but decided not to because she needed more training. She also took a break to focus on her university studies.

She did compete at the 2013 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Belgium. She performed well in the qualifications for floor exercise. In the final, she finished seventh.

Sandra officially retired from gymnastics on April 10, 2014. She briefly considered returning for the 2016 Olympics but decided it wasn't the right time.

Competitive History Highlights

Sandra Izbașa (right) with Diana Bulimar and Larisa Iordache.

Sandra Izbașa competed in many events throughout her career. Here are some of her top results:

• 2004 European Championships (Junior): Silver medal with the team, silver medal on floor.
• 2005 Junior Japan International: Gold medals on vault and floor.
• 2006 European Championships: Silver medal with the team, bronze on balance beam, gold on floor.
• 2006 World Championships: Bronze medal in the all-around, silver on balance beam.
• 2007 European Championships: Silver medal in the all-around, silver on balance beam.
• 2007 World Championships: Bronze medal with the team.
• 2008 European Championships: Gold medal with the team, silver on balance beam, gold on floor.
• 2008 Olympic Games: Bronze medal with the team, gold on floor.
• 2010 Ghent World Cup: Gold medal on floor.
• 2011 European Championships: Gold medals on vault and floor.
• 2012 European Championships: Gold medal with the team, gold on vault.
• 2012 Olympic Games: Bronze medal with the team, gold on vault.

See also

In Spanish: Sandra Izbașa para niños

• List of Olympic female gymnasts for Romania