Whatever Happened to
Teodora Ungureanu?

Teodora Ungureanu arrived at Bela and Marta Karolyi's gymnastics school somewhat later than the girls who originally joined the school, having already trained in Bucharest. Teodora's level of skill impressed Bela, encouraging him to train his younger girls at a much more serious pace than had historically been the case. 

In 1975, Karolyi traveled to Paris with Teodora and Nadia Comaneci, hoping to introduce the girls to the World elite gymnastics scene. Unfortunately for Teodora, Bela chose Nadia to perform over Teodora...and it was Nadia who captured the people's hearts and praise. For many years to come, Teodora was forced to perform in Nadia's shadow.

A terrific gymnast in her own right, Teodora nevertheless went on to earn an enormous number of medals and titles. Indeed, based on her Olympic performances, she was later awarded a Master of Sports Certificate from the National Council of Physical Education and Sport in Bucharest.

Teodora's final competition appears to have been the 1979 World University Games, where she took gold in the AA. Following these Games, Teodora earned a diploma from the Bucharest Institute in Physical Education and Sport with a major in gymnastics. She married Romanian gymnast Sorin Cepoi, and by 1984 the two were working together as part of the Troupe Cornea traveling circus. Teodora and Sorin travelled extensively with this circus, including internationally to Finland. The two also welcomed a daughter, Adriana, into the world.

Teodora Ungureanu
Photo used with the expressed permission of Teodora and the Dynamic Gymnastics Club.

Teodora and her family eventually left Romania for France. Both Teodora and Sorin are certified coaches of gymnastics, and Teodora also has an International Gymnastics Official's Rating and has judged competitions. The two coached in France for 8 years, during which tme they were the head coaches at La Grenobloise, a gym which won 2nd place in the team division at the French Nationals for four years. One of their pupil's, Chloe Maigre, represented France at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

In 1993, Teodora and her family left France for the USA. She and Sorin accepted coaching positions at Gymcats in Ardsley, NY. The two are now the directors of the Dynamic Gymnastics club in Bedford, NY. Their gymnasts have done quite well. One of their former students, Kristen Bloom, is attending the University of Utah. Another, Brooke Hamilton, competed in JO Nationals.

Update (June, 2001). Teodora was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. "I never dreamed that America would become by home or that I would be also deeply honored by fellow competitors in the sport that I love," Teodora told IG magazine.

. This page was created on May 16, 1999 and last updated on December 22, 1999.