Olympic Bar Champ 1992 coaching in Washington

Lu Li, who shocked the gymnastics world with a perfect 10 in the uneven bar competition during the 1992 Games, is the new beam coach for the Junior Olympics team at Redmond-based Emerald City Gymnastics Academy.

“It’s a great honor to have her part of our program,” said Sandy Flores, who co-owns the academy with her sister, Susan Townsend. “She not only brings a lot of excitement, but professionalism and success.”

So how did an Olympic gold-medalist find her way to Redmond?

Lu, who moved to California from China in 2000, was coaching at Champion Gymnastics in Stockton, Calif. when a “mutual friend” told Lu about the opening in Redmond. Lu said she her husband, Kim Gussenhoven, were already considering a move to the Northwest, so she jumped at this chance.

“I wanted to find a good place to raise a family and this came up, so I did it,” said Lu, who has a five-year-old son, John David Gussenhoven. “Everyone is really nice here. It feels like a family here. Right away, I felt that. I’m excited to be here.”

Lu’s first day was Monday and her arrival coincides with the recent opening of the Emerald City’s new 19,000-square foot West Facility, which is located right next to the academy’s East Facility at 17969 NE 65th Street.

A grand opening, open house for the new West Facility is set for Sept. 26.

Lu joins a coaching staff of 30 at the academy and is the first Olympic gymnast to coach in Washington state, according to Flores.

“I enjoy working with kids,” Lu said. “I want to share my experience with American kids and maybe someday I can help them make their dream come true.” …

read a great interview – Redmond hits the jackpot: Chinese Olympic gold medalist named new coach at Emerald City Gymnastics