Betty Okino
June 4, 1975
The first Black gymnast to win the American Cup. She is also the first black woman of any nationality to win multiple individual World Championship medals in gymnastics.
Betty Okino’s journey in gymnastics began in Entebbe, Uganda, before she and her family immigrated to the United States. Introduced to the sport at the age of 9, Betty’s natural talent quickly propelled her to the elite level. By 1988, at just 17 years old, she made her mark by placing 17th at the junior U.S. National Championships, showcasing her potential on the gymnastics stage.
In pursuit of excellence, Betty relocated to Houston in 1990 to train under the renowned coaches Marta and Béla Károlyi. Her dedication and hard work paid off as she clinched second place in the all-around competition and secured the balance beam title at the prestigious 1990 U.S. Nationals. Betty’s stellar performances earned her a spot on the U.S. national team, where she represented her country with distinction at various international competitions, including the Goodwill Games. At the Goodwill Games, Betty contributed to the team’s silver medal and showcased her individual prowess by finishing fourth in both the all-around and uneven bars finals.
Betty’s success continued to soar in 1991, as she played a vital role in the U.S. team’s silver medal win at the World Gymnastics Championships, adding an individual bronze on the balance beam to her impressive list of achievements. She further solidified her reputation as a top gymnast by clinching victory at the 1991 American Cup.
In 1992, Betty’s gymnastics career faced a significant challenge when she suffered serious spinal injuries, forcing her to miss crucial competitions, including the U.S. Nationals and Olympic Trials. Despite these setbacks, Betty’s determination and resilience shone through as she earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team following a private trial. At the 1992 Olympics, Betty played a pivotal role in securing the team’s historic bronze medal, a milestone achievement for U.S. gymnastics. Additionally, she showcased her individual talent by qualifying for the balance beam event final and achieving a commendable 12th place in the all-around competition.
Beyond her gymnastics career, Betty’s multicultural background and linguistic abilities enriched her experiences in the sport. Fluent in Romanian, Betty played a unique role in facilitating communication within the gymnastics community, further enhancing team dynamics and cohesion.
Following her retirement from gymnastics, Betty ventured into show business, showcasing her talents in various television shows and films. Today, she resides in southern California with her husband, where she continues to inspire others as a dance instructor, choreographer, and motivational speaker. Through her company, Betty O Choreo, she shares her passion for gymnastics with the world, offering camps, clinics, and choreography services, leaving a lasting impact on the sport and aspiring gymnasts worldwide.