By Megan Roth
In 2022, when she was simply 15, Lilia Cosman moved from the USA to Romania to start her Elite gymnastics profession. Now, she’s set to signify Romania of their first Olympics again as a workforce since 2012.
After Podium Coaching in Paris, Cosman talked to the media about her transition, what it means to signify Romania, what her plans are after the Olympics, and extra!
Transferring to Romania
Cosman was born in Michigan, however her mother and father are each Romanian and immigrated to the U.S. in 2001. She grew up competing within the USAG system up via Stage 10, however by no means certified Elite.
When she was youthful, Cosman would go to Romania as a result of her grandparents reside there and someday, she skilled the place the Nationwide Workforce trains. She turned linked to the Nationwide Workforce in 2022 when her mother reached out to the coach she skilled with that day.
Since then, she’s been residing and coaching in Romania. Her mother got here together with her the primary month, however after that, she’s been by herself. She solely goes dwelling to the U.S. after massive competitions – the final time she was dwelling was in December.
The language adjustment was not too tough for her. “It was a little bit shaky [speaking], however I understood [Romanian] rather well,” Cosman mentioned. “And the coaches converse some English, so if I don’t perceive one thing, they’re actually good at explaining it.” Now after residing in Romania for 2 years, she likes to assume she’s fluent.
The expansion in her gymnastics since 2022 has been unbelievable. In 2022, Cosman had All-Round scores within the mid 46s at Elite qualifiers within the U.S. Now, she’s undoubtedly one of many high gymnasts in Romania with All-Round scores within the 52s. This 12 months, she positioned eighth within the All-Round and 4th on beam at Euros.
NCAA Future
She’s dedicated to Michigan State to compete within the NCAA as soon as she graduates from highschool in 2025, however she hopes to have the ability to compete for each Michigan State and Romania.
“In 2025 is once I’m supposed to start out. After which perhaps…” She trailed off. She was later requested if she’s planning to maneuver again to Michigan in 2025 and responded, “yeah, I’ve to nonetheless take into consideration that as a result of I nonetheless love to do each if attainable. So I’ll see what goes on.”
Artistry in Romania
The give attention to artistry in Romania is one factor she thinks units Workforce Romania other than different groups.
“Our coaches make artistry essential, and we take a while from our apply and work on it rather a lot as a result of in a number of the world, you don’t see that. And you may see a distinction between us and another international locations. And I believe it actually seems to be superb.”
“We do facial features issues, like appearing workout routines. Then we’ll go and do a ground routine with totally different expressions. It’s simply to mess around. We’ll make a narrative for the ground routine, so then you definitely categorical your self higher.”
Her ground routine this 12 months is totally different from her previous routines. “It’s all bizarre, funky, smiley,” she mentioned. “At first, I wasn’t certain about it. I used to be a little bit nervous, however I prefer it now. I can smile and dance alongside.”
Paris 2024!
The Romanian workforce competing in Paris would be the identical workforce that certified Romania to the Olympics through the 2023 World Championships.
“It means rather a lot as a result of after 12 years of not qualifying, to be on that workforce that helped qualify [to the Olympics], it actually does imply rather a lot,” Cosman mentioned. “I’m actually glad that us women have been in a position to do this after a lot time.”
Workforce Romania competes in subdivision 1 of Girls’s {Qualifications} at 3:30 am ET/9:30 am Paris time on Saturday July twenty seventh.
