Long before she represented Romania on the Olympic stage, Amalia Ghigoarta was a young girl from Lugoj, discovering the “feeling of flying” the moment she mounted the balance beam. Gymnastics has shaped her journey, teaching her resilience, strength, and the power of believing in herself.
After an unexpected recruiting process that included a switch from an initial commitment to Michigan State, she chose Nebraska to pursue her NCAA dreams. While currently navigating recovery from a knee injury, Ghigoarta remains driven by the goals she hopes to achieve in Lincoln, while still leaving the door open for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Club gym: CSM Onești
College team: Nebraska
Hometown: Lugoj, Romania
How did you first fall in love with gymnastics? Can you remember the moment or feeling that made you realize it was your sport?
I fell in love with gymnastics from the very first time I got on the balance beam. Being up high made me feel confident, and I loved the challenge of it. As I started learning new skills, I discovered what it felt like to fly through the air, and the adrenaline was unlike anything I had ever experienced. At first, gymnastics felt like a game, something fun that I looked forward to every day. But as the sport became more serious, I realized it gave me a unique sense of strength and confidence. Gymnastics made me feel capable of doing things that most people can only imagine, and that feeling is what truly made me fall in love with the sport.
What’s one moment in your gymnastics journey you’ll never forget? Whether it’s a big win or a quiet milestone, what made it special?
I think the period before the Olympic Games is something I’ll never forget. It was a really difficult time, but it made me realize how strong I am. Gymnastics taught me how to control my mind and stay focused even when things get hard. There were moments when I felt tired, stressed, and challenged, but I kept fighting because I knew what my goal was. Looking back, I’m proud that I didn’t give up and that I was able to achieve my dream of competing at the Olympics. That experience showed me that I’m capable of much more than I sometimes think.
How has representing Romania on the international stage shaped you as an athlete and as a person?
Representing Romania is one of the best feelings in the world. Knowing that millions of people are watching, supporting you, and living every moment with you makes every competition feel even more special. It has taught me what it really means to be dedicated and responsible, because when you wear your country’s colors, you’re competing for something bigger than yourself. It has also helped me become more confident and mature as a person. Every international competition has taught me valuable lessons, and I’m proud every time I have the chance to represent Romania on the world stage.
What was your experience like competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?
Paris 2024 was the most amazing experience of my life. I enjoyed every moment because I knew I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Being able to compete against the best gymnasts in the world made me feel really special. At the time, I was so focused on competing, and there was so much adrenaline that I didn’t fully realize what was happening. I think it only hit me later that I had actually competed at the Olympic Games. Looking back now, it feels a little unreal, and I’m just so happy that I got to live that experience.
What led you to consider the NCAA as a next step in your gymnastics and academic career?
Honestly, it all happened very spontaneously. My teammate [Lilia Cosman] was always telling me, “Come with me to college in America—it would be so much fun if we were there together.” At first, I didn’t really think it could become a reality. The NCAA felt like something very far away from me. But one day I thought, “Why not give it a try?” and I started reaching out to colleges. That’s when I connected with Crazy Rich Athletes, who helped me through the process. Lili and her mom also helped me a lot and supported me along the way. Everything happened so fast, and it honestly felt unreal to realize that I could actually compete in the NCAA. I was especially surprised by how many universities offered me a full scholarship. That was the moment I realized this opportunity was real, and I became really excited about this next chapter of my life.
Did you talk to any other colleges before committing to Nebraska? Why did Nebraska stand out as the team for you?
Yes, I talked with several colleges during the process. I was actually committed to Michigan State at first, but after some changes within the program, I decided to take another look at my options and make sure I was choosing the best fit for me. Nebraska came into the picture pretty late, and I didn’t even get the chance to visit before committing. Still, I really connected with the coaches and felt comfortable with them from the start. After everything I’ve been through recently, that feeling was very important to me, and it made Nebraska feel like the right choice.
The NCAA experience is quite different from elite gymnastics, especially in terms of team culture and performance style. What part of that environment are you most excited—or maybe nervous—to embrace?
I am really excited to experience student life and everything that comes with it. I’m also excited for the NCAA competition atmosphere because it feels so different from elite gymnastics. The energy looks amazing, and it seems like everyone is having fun while still competing at a high level. One thing I’m really looking forward to is being part of a team, supporting each other, and celebrating both the big and small moments together. I think that team environment is something special, and I can’t wait to experience it for myself.
Who has made the biggest impact on your gymnastics career, and how have they inspired or shaped your journey?
I think my mom has had the biggest impact on my gymnastics career. She was actually the one who took me to gymnastics in the first place. At the beginning, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to do it, but she loved the sport because it had always been her dream to try gymnastics herself. Unfortunately, she never had the opportunity to do it. Throughout my entire journey, she has been my biggest supporter. No matter how difficult things got, she never let me give up and always believed in me, even during moments when I doubted myself. Sometimes I think she dreamed about what I could achieve before I even did. I’m very grateful for everything she has done for me, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her support.
Gymnastics is full of highs and lows—what’s one of the toughest challenges you’ve faced in your journey, and how has overcoming it shaped you as both an athlete and a person?
I’ve had a lot of difficult moments in my career, and each time I’ve managed to come back stronger. Right now, though, I think the biggest challenge is my knee injury. It’s something I’m still going through, so the story isn’t finished yet. The hardest part has been watching my teammates compete while I can’t be out there with them. Before this injury, I had never really missed a major competition, so it’s been a very different experience for me. At the same time, I believe challenges like this teach you the most. Even though it’s difficult, I know it’s making me stronger, more patient, and more determined. My goal is to come back even better than before, and I’m using this period as motivation to keep working toward that.
You have your sights set on the 2028 Olympics. Do you have an idea at this moment how you will balance college gymnastics and your elite training? Do you think training in the US for college will help with the Olympics in LA?
Right now, I’m focused on recovering from my injury and getting ready for college, so I’m not thinking too far ahead. Those are my priorities at the moment. Of course, I can’t say that LA 2028 isn’t in my mind; I dream about being there and competing at another Olympic Games. But for now, I’m taking things step by step and focusing on what I need to do today to give myself the best chance for the future.
What’s something on your college gymnastics bucket list?
Of course, for myself, I want to contribute as much as I can to the team and be the best teammate I can be. But my biggest goal is to win a national championship with my team. I truly believe we have a real chance with the coaches and the team we have, and I’m really excited about what we can achieve together.
Rapid Fire Questions
Vault, bars, beam, or floor? Beam
Which four gymnasts would be on your college gymnastics Mount Rushmore? Kailin Chio, Jordan (Bowers) Gamboa, Nikki Smith, and Skye Blakely
What’s your most-used emoji? The otter emoji. I honestly think it fits every situation somehow, and I use it all the time. 🦦
What’s one of your pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I always say a prayer before every meet. It helps me feel calm, focused, and ready to compete.
What’s one of your gymnastics pet peeves? Waiting too long between events.
What’s a hidden talent people may not know about? I can fall asleep almost anywhere. 😂
What do you want to be when you grow up? I’d love to be involved in business and marketing one day.
What’s your favorite leotard your college team has worn? My favorite Nebraska leotard is the Iron N leo. I love the design because it’s simple, bold, and really represents Nebraska.
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Article by Courtney Varrichio
