International Gymnast Magazine Online interviews Courtney Kupets
March 11, 2009 | Gymnastics
International Gymnast Magazine Online interviewed Courtney Kupets
Now in her senior year of competition at the University of Georgia, 2002 world uneven bars champion Courtney Kupets describes how courage, humility and faith have sustained her through three serious injuries.
Kupets credits physical, mental and spiritual forces for helping her overcome a torn left Achilles' tendon in 2003, a hip injury that impacted her performances at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, and a torn right Achilles' tendon in 2008. As Kupets' career draws to a close, she is now preparing to help earn Georgia its fourth NCAA team title in as many years.
Born July 27, 1986, Kupets trained during her international career under coaches Kelli Hill and Jen Bundy at Hill's Gymnastics in Gaithersburg, Md. She placed second all-around at the 2002 American Cup, and first on uneven bars at the 2002 World Championships in Debrecen, Hungary. In June 2003 Kupets won the U.S. all-around title, but was unable to compete at the 2003 World Championships in Anaheim after she tore her left Achilles' tendon in a training session in Anaheim.
Kupets' recovery from her 2003 injury was quick and remarkable. In 2004 she tied Carly Patterson for the U.S. all-around title and placed first at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Hampered by an unspoken hip injury at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Kupets still won two medals (silver in the team competition, bronze on uneven bars), and placed fifth on balance beam and ninth all-around.
Following the 2004 Olympics, Kupets embarked on the collegiate phase of her career. As a Georgia freshman in 2006 she won the all-around title, tied for first on uneven bars and balance beam, and led Georgia to the team title at the NCAA Championships. As a sophomore Kupets repeated as the NCAA all-around champion, placed first on vault and again led Georgia to team victory. Kupets tore her right Achilles' tendon in a March 2008 dual meet and was sidelined for the rest of the season. Georgia went on to win the NCAA title that year.
IG Online spoke with Kupets in Los Angeles on March 8, after she placed first all-around at a dual meet against UCLA. In this interview, Kupets recalls the high and low moments of her career, and describes how she has maintained her focus and fitness.
Click here for the Interview
