British born Jamaican gymnast Danusia Francis has officially announced her retirement. "Thank you for for making me the person I am t...
British born Jamaican gymnast Danusia Francis has officially announced her retirement.
"Thank you for for making me the person I am today, for my best friends, for amazing opportunities and memories I will treasure forever," Francis captioned a video she shared on Instagram that featured clips and photos of her gymnastics career.
"It hasn’t been easy but it has definitely been worth it. You have prepared me for the next chapter of my life. If I can make it to the Olympics and pull off a few skills on a torn ACL, I know I am ready for whatever life throws at me next," she continued.
"The time has come, I am officially retiring. I have been working hard recently on the next stage of my life, and will always remain in the sport I love in some capacity. I have some big goals and have a few exciting things coming very soon, which I can’t wait to share! Forever thankful and grateful."
Francis competed for the British and Jamaican teams. She represented Great Britain at the 2011 European and World championships, and at the 2012 European championships and Jamaica at the 2015 and 2019 World champions.
She was a reserve athlete for Great Britain's 2012 Olympic team.
The 28 year old former gymnast competed in college gymnastics as well, representing UCLA Bruins gymnastics team.
By competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Danusia is only the second Jamaican gymnast to compete at the Olympics, the first being Maryland-born Toni-Ann Williams who competed at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Just before the qualifications in Tokyo, Danusia learned that she tore her ACL. She withdrew from competition in the balance beam, the vault and the floor exercise. With her left knee bandaged, she performed two toe-ons then stopped the routine and saluted the judges fulfilling her dream of becoming an Olympian.
No comments