Post by Helen on Mar 13, 2008 16:02:39 GMT 4
Profile from: www.gymnasticgreats.com/
Mirela Pasca was born in Baia-Mare, Romania. Unlike nearly all of Romania's elite gymnasts, who leave home at an early age to train at Deva, Mirela was able to train in her hometown for much of her elite career. She trained at the Baia-Mari Sport Club, under the direction of Adriana and Nelu Pop (current coaches of French sensation, Ludivine Furnon).
Mirela emerged onto the Romanian elite scene in 1989 at the Romanian National Championships. Up until the very end of her career, Mirela consistently placed in the top 10 at major international competitions, but was often overshadowed by some of her more well known contemporaries (Cristina Bontas, Lavinia Milosovici, etc.). Uneven bars, her favorite event, was also where she frequently had her strongest showing, including a tie for first place at the 1990 European Championships. Interestingly, this win represented the first time that Romania's new national anthem (following Romania's 1989 Revolution) was played in a gymnastics competition. Because of her success on the uneven bars, Mirela was often referred to as a bars specialist by many commentators.
After 12 years in the sport of gymnastics, Mirela retired. Her final competition appears to have been the 1992 DTB Cup following the Olympics in which she finished 12th, only competing on UB and BB and taking 0's on her other two events. Soon after she retired due to a hand injury, and spent some time coaching in Spain. Perhaps to fulfill her listed interests of music and dance, Mirela returned to Romania to train with the Romanian National Aerobics team. At the same time she coached at her home club, CSS Baia Mare.
Update (April 18, 2000). Mirela continues to live in Romania. She and her boyfriend were recently spotted in the crowd of fans at the 2000 Romanian International.
Update (April 1, 2001). Mirela is now back coaching in Spain.
[glow=red,2,300]Results[/glow]
1989 Romanian National Championships
1990 International of Romania: 1st UB
1990 World Cup: 7th AA, 2nd UB, 3rd FX
1990 DTB Cup: 6th AA
1990 Blume Memorial: 4th AA
1990 European Championships: 5th AA, 1st UB, 3rd BB, 5th FX
1990 Centenary Cup: 7th AA
1991 World Championships: 3rd T
1991 Swiss Cup (mixed pairs): 3rd (with Gherman)
1991 Arthur Gander Memorial: 2nd AA
1992 Trophee Massilia
1992 World Championships: 3rd UB
1992 Olympics: 2nd T, 4th UB
1992 DTB Cup: 12th AA (competed BB and UB only)
Mirela Pasca was born in Baia-Mare, Romania. Unlike nearly all of Romania's elite gymnasts, who leave home at an early age to train at Deva, Mirela was able to train in her hometown for much of her elite career. She trained at the Baia-Mari Sport Club, under the direction of Adriana and Nelu Pop (current coaches of French sensation, Ludivine Furnon).
Mirela emerged onto the Romanian elite scene in 1989 at the Romanian National Championships. Up until the very end of her career, Mirela consistently placed in the top 10 at major international competitions, but was often overshadowed by some of her more well known contemporaries (Cristina Bontas, Lavinia Milosovici, etc.). Uneven bars, her favorite event, was also where she frequently had her strongest showing, including a tie for first place at the 1990 European Championships. Interestingly, this win represented the first time that Romania's new national anthem (following Romania's 1989 Revolution) was played in a gymnastics competition. Because of her success on the uneven bars, Mirela was often referred to as a bars specialist by many commentators.
After 12 years in the sport of gymnastics, Mirela retired. Her final competition appears to have been the 1992 DTB Cup following the Olympics in which she finished 12th, only competing on UB and BB and taking 0's on her other two events. Soon after she retired due to a hand injury, and spent some time coaching in Spain. Perhaps to fulfill her listed interests of music and dance, Mirela returned to Romania to train with the Romanian National Aerobics team. At the same time she coached at her home club, CSS Baia Mare.
Update (April 18, 2000). Mirela continues to live in Romania. She and her boyfriend were recently spotted in the crowd of fans at the 2000 Romanian International.
Update (April 1, 2001). Mirela is now back coaching in Spain.
[glow=red,2,300]Results[/glow]
1989 Romanian National Championships
1990 International of Romania: 1st UB
1990 World Cup: 7th AA, 2nd UB, 3rd FX
1990 DTB Cup: 6th AA
1990 Blume Memorial: 4th AA
1990 European Championships: 5th AA, 1st UB, 3rd BB, 5th FX
1990 Centenary Cup: 7th AA
1991 World Championships: 3rd T
1991 Swiss Cup (mixed pairs): 3rd (with Gherman)
1991 Arthur Gander Memorial: 2nd AA
1992 Trophee Massilia
1992 World Championships: 3rd UB
1992 Olympics: 2nd T, 4th UB
1992 DTB Cup: 12th AA (competed BB and UB only)