Sabrina Mar

Sabrina Mar (born 1969/1970)[1] is an American gymnast. She was the 1985 U.S. national all-around champion. She was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2004.

Early life

Mar's parents emigrated to the United States from China after World War II.[2] Sabrina Mar was named for Audrey Hepburn's character in Sabrina.[3] Mar grew up in Monterey Park, California.[2][4] She started ballet at an early age where one of her instructors noticed her talent for tumbling and suggested putting her in gymnastics.[3]

Education

In 1993, Mar earned a degree from UCLA.[5]

Gymnastics career

As a junior, Mar finished second at U.S. nationals twice. Mar trained at Southern California Acro Team (SCATS), a non-profit gym which produced several champion gymnasts, including Cathy Rigby.[2][4] At SCATS, Mar was coached by Mary Wright and Steve Gerlach.[3]

Mar won the all-around title at the 1985 USA Gymnastics National Championships. At that meet she also won gold on floor exercise and uneven bars and silver on balance beam and vault.[2]She suffered from back pain in 1986 and only managed an 11th place finish at the 1986 National Champships. Mar recovered from an ankle injury in 1987 to place third at the National Championships that year.[6] Mar won the all-around titlte at the 1987 Pan American Games where she also won team gold.[5] Mar was part of the U.S. gymnastics team for the 1987 World Championships. The team finished a disappointing sixth, with Mar being the only team member to qualify for an individual event final.[7]

Mar pulled out of the 1988 USA Gymnastics National Championships with a back injury.[8] Mar had long suffered from spondylolisthesis, a slippage of disks in the back. Mar was given an waiver to compete in the national trials, however the injury prevented her from competing. She retired from gymnastics when she pulled out of the trials.[9] Mar was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2004.[5]

Allegations against USA Gymnastics

Mar is one of several former USA gymnasts who has alleged former coach Doug Boger mistreated young gymnasts. According to Mar, Boger would pin gymnasts against the wall and "basically just choke you."[10] USA Gymnastics placed Boger on its list of ineligible coaches in 2010.[10]

Post-gymnastics career

Mar was a dancer in Annie (1982). She then became an animator on the television show South Park.[5]

Personal life

Mar's husband is Dennis. They have one son.[5]

References
  1. Norwood, Robyn (August 27, 1987). "Sabrina Mar's Back Is Back on Track of Gymnastics Gold: Coming Around Again". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  2. Newman, Scott (July 3, 1985). "A Marvel at 15 : Seoul's Sweetheart Just Might Turn Out to Be Talented Sabrina Mar". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  3. Putnam, Pat (November 18, 1985). "Tumbling into a Soviet sea". SI.com. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  4. "PLAYERS; YOUNG CHAMPION'S 'OVERNIGHT' SUCCESS". The New York Times. August 24, 1988. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  5. "USA Gymnastics Hall Of Fame Class Of 2004 Inducted Tonight". USA Gymnastics. June 26, 2004. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  6. Norwood, Robyn (August 27, 1988). "Sabrina Mar's Back Is Back on Track of Gymnastics Gold : COMING AROUND AGAIN". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  7. Engeler, Amy (September 22, 1988). "The U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team Falls From Grace". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  8. "Names in the News". Los Angeles Times. July 7, 1988. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  9. Hoffer, Richard (August 6, 1988). "Mar Pulls Out of Gymnastic Trials, Retires". latimes.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
  10. Wian, Casey (March 21, 2012). "Former gymnasts claim systemic physical, sexual abuse by ex-coach - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
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