Sandra Izbașa

Sandra Izbaşa first competed at the senior level at the 2006 European Championships, where she won gold on floor, silver with the team, and bronze on beam, while only a few months later she won silver on beam and bronze in all-around at the 2006 Worlds. At the 2007 European Championships she won silver in all-around and in beam, but an injury of her ankle prevented her from competing in the final of the floor exercise, so she could not defend her title.

At the 2008 European Championships Izbaşa won the title on floor and also won gold with the team as well as a silver on beam. She also won gold on floor at the 2008 Olympics and was part of the bronze medal winning team. Following her Olympics success, she had two disappointing years in 2009-10, after tearing her Achilles’ tendon. In 2011 she again won gold medals on floor and vault at the European Championships, but another injury cost her a spot on the World Championships. Overall Izbaşa won one silver and two bronze medals at Worlds, while she collected five gold, four silver, and one bronze at the European Championships.