Dominique Dawes Gymnastics Academy is a safe, supportive and empowering gymnastics and ninja gym for all! Our class program is designed to ensure that every child is engaged in a fun-filled, challenging and encouraging environment. We are committed to developing the “whole child”–physically, emotionally and socially.
Three-time Olympian, Olympic Gold Medalist, Healthy Lifestyle Advocate and Mom, Dominique Dawes is thrilled to be embarking on this exciting journey. “All four of my kids are my motivation!
Dawes was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, on November 20, 1976, to Don and Loretta Dawes of Takoma Park, Maryland. She enrolled in gymnastics at age 6 with coach Kelli Hill and won her first competition at age 9. In high school, she moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland, to be closer to her coach's gym.
Dawes converted to Catholicism, and they married on May 25, 2013. The couple have four children, including a set of twins: Kateri, Quinn, and twins Dakota and Lincoln (January 22, 2018).
In July 2020, she opened the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy in Clarksburg, and this fall she plans to open a second location in the Montrose Shopping Center in Rockville. Her goal is simple: to change the paradigm of the sport she loves.
Dawes is a retired gymnast and Olympian who now owns the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics and Ninja Academy. She says there is a lot of pressure when it comes to competing in the Olympic games and that can be a lot for a young athlete.
Dominique Dawes Net WorthNet Worth:$2.5 MillionDate of Birth:Nov 20, 1976 (45 years old)Gender:FemaleHeight:5 ft 1 in (1.57 m)Nationality:United States of America
University of MarylandDominique Dawes / CollegeDawes attended Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland and Gaithersburg High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where she was the 1994 prom queen. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2002.
Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens Are Getting Married The Olympic gold medalist and her NFL player fiancee are set to wed in 2023.
United StatesGabby Douglas / Current team
25 years (March 14, 1997)Simone Biles / Age
Dominique's start in gymnastics began at the age of six. Her first and only coach, Kelli Hill, quickly realized her potential. She burst into the international spotlight in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. She was the first African American gymnast to ever qualify and compete in an Olympic Games.
With her amazing tumbling moves, Dawes was a force to be reckoned with in gymnastics. In 1988, she became the first African American to make the national women's team. Dawes also joined the 1992 U.S. Olympic artistic gymnastics team, which won bronze in Barcelona.
5′ 2″Dominique Dawes / Height
4′ 8″Simone Biles / Height
5′ 2″Gabby Douglas / Height
25 years (March 14, 1997)Simone Biles / Age
After the 2000 Olympic Games, Dawes retired from gymnastics and tried new things. She appeared in a Broadway production of Grease and danced for a Prince video. Nowadays, Dawes' four small children, the gymnastics academy and motivational speaking keep her very busy.
Biles is the greatest gymnast of all time, but she's so much more than that. She's a mental health advocate, a survivor, an inspiration to millions.
Website. DominiqueDawes.com. Dominique Margaux Dawes (born November 20, 1976) is a retired American artistic gymnast. Known in the gymnastics community as 'Awesome Dawesome,' she was a 10-year member of the U.S. national gymnastics team, the 1994 U.S. all-around senior National Champion, a three-time Olympian, a World Championship silver ...
Early life. Dawes was born in Silver Spring, Maryland on November 20, 1976, to Don and Loretta Dawes of Takoma Park, Maryland. She enrolled in gymnastics at age 6 with coach Kelli Hill and won her first competition at age 9. In high school, she moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland to be closer to her coach's gym.
She placed 3rd in the all-around in the junior division at the 1990 U.S. National Championships. At the 1992 USA vs. Japan dual meet, the 15-year-old Dawes received a standing ovation, after an energetic floor routine in which she revived the back-to-back tumbling revolutionized by Soviet star Oksana Omelianchik.
Dawes struggled through a difficult 1995 riddled by wrist and ankle injuries. She finished fourth at nationals and was forced to sit out the World Championships that year. At the 1996 World Championships, Dawes missed out on a medal on the uneven bars but tied Liu Xuan for a bronze medal on the balance beam. At the 1996 U.S. National Championships Dawes sweep all four event finals for the second time in her career making her the only gymnast ever to accomplish this feat twice. Dawes also finished first at the Olympic trials, earning a berth on the 1996 Olympic team at the age of 19. Dawes planned to attend Stanford University in fall 1995 but could not receive an athletic scholarship as she turned pro to train for the 1996 Olympics .
Dawes attended Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland and Gaithersburg High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where she was the 1994 prom queen. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2002. Pursuing a career in acting, modeling, and television production, she has appeared in Prince 's music video "Betcha By Golly Wow" and Missy Elliott 's 2006 video "We Run This" in the role of Missy's gymnastics coach. Dawes also briefly appeared on Broadway in a revival of the musical Grease, playing cheerleader Patty Simcox.
Dawes also finished first at the Olympic trials, earning a berth on the 1996 Olympic team at the age of 19. Dawes planned to attend Stanford University in fall 1995 but could not receive an athletic scholarship as she turned pro to train for the 1996 Olympics .
Dawes only competed in the team competition in 1992 , not breaking through as an all-around gymnast until 1993. She is probably best known for her performances at the 1993 and 1994 World Championships. In 1993, Dawes led the competition after three events, even beating her more famous teammate Shannon Miller.
It’s never too early to get started on building a strong foundation! Our Seeds and Seedlings classes are designed to challenge your child’s natural curiosity to move and explore. Using age-appropriate equipment, your child will be introduced to fun activities that will help improve motor skills, strength, balance and social skills.
Classes are based on a skill progression system that guides each student from basic to more advanced skills in a safe, challenging environment. Focus on strength, flexibility, body awareness and coordination will help each student to progress at their own level, all the while developing self-confidence and self-discipline.
Homeschool Ninja Warrior Training is a great way for children to have fun while being fit and active! We offer exclusive Ninja Classes and Combo Classes (1/2 parkour and 1/2 Ninja) for all homeschool children.
Dominique Margaux Dawes (born November 20, 1976) is a retired American artistic gymnast. Known in the gymnastics community as 'Awesome Dawesome', she was a 10-year member of the U.S. national gymnastics team, the 1994 U.S. all-around senior National Champion, a three-time Olympian, a World Championship silver and bronze medalist, and a member of the gold-me…
Dawes was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, on November 20, 1976, to Don and Loretta Dawes of Takoma Park, Maryland. She enrolled in gymnastics at age 6 with coach Kelli Hill and won her first competition at age 9. In high school, she moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland, to be closer to her coach's gym.
Dawes was competing as a junior elite by the age of 10. She placed 17th in the all-around junior division at her first U.S. National Championships in 1988. In 1989, at the age of 12, she was sent to Australia to compete in her first international meet, the Konica Grand Prix. By the early 1990s, Dawes was achieving success both nationally and internationally. She placed 3rd in the all-around in the junior division at the 1990 U.S. National Championships.
• Vault: 1.5 twisting Yurchenko, Phelps (Tsukahara to layout Arabian front)
• Uneven Bars: Shaposhnikova transition to high bar, Hindorff release (free hip to straddled Tkatchev), 1.5 pirouette (Dawes), full pirouette, full-in dismount
• Balance Beam: Back-handspring followed by 3 layout stepouts; two back-handsprings to full-in dismount.
• Inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, 2009
• Inducted into the USA Olympic Hall of Fame (with the Magnificent Seven), 2008
• AAUW Women of Distinction Award, 2004
• "Caring Hands, Caring Hearts" Award, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Children Around the World, 2003
Dawes became engaged in December 2012 to teacher Jeff Thompson. Thompson taught at The Heights school in Potomac, Maryland. Dawes converted to Catholicism, and they married on May 25, 2013. The couple have four children, including a set of twins: Kateri, Quinn, and twins Dakota and Lincoln (January 22, 2018). Dawes shared that she suffered a near fatal miscarriage prior to becoming pregnant with her twins.
• List of Olympic female gymnasts for the United States