League USA Gymnastics Owner(s) Liang Chow | Based in West Des Moines, Iowa | |
Full name Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute Sport Women's artistic gymnastics Founded 23 August 1998; 17 years ago | ||
Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute, commonly referred to as Chow's, is an American women's artistic gymnastics academy based in West Des Moines, Iowa. The academy was founded by Chinese former artistic gymnast Liang Chow. One of the country's most prestigious gymnastics academies, the club has produced Olympic champions, Shawn Johnson and Gabrielle Douglas, and several upcoming elites such as Norah Flatley and Rachel Gowey.
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1998–04: Foundations and the inception of Shawn Johnson
Chow's was opened on August 23, 1998 by former Chinese national gymnast and Iowa Hawkeyes assistant coach, Liang Chow and his wife, Liwen Zhuang.
In 2004, Level 10 protigee, Shawn Johnson, finished fourth at the 2004 J.O. Nationals. As a result, she is the first Chow gymnast to make the J.O. National Team.
2005–07: Level 10 progression and the National rise of Shawn Johnson
At the 2005 Level 9 Eastern Championships, Chow's was represented 3 times. Jessa Hansen won two individual medals also. Although Chow's didn't have any participants at the 2005 Level 10 J.O. Nationals, Shawn Johnson qualified to Junior International Elite status; the first of any Chow gymnast. In her first competition as an elite, the 2005 U.S. Classic, she finished third in the all-around.
As a result, she qualified to U.S. Nationals. At the competition, Johnson finished tenth in the all-around. Her result at the competition was enough to be named to the Junior Natitonal Team – the first of any Chow gymnast. Now a National Team member, she was invited to represent the United States at the 2006 Pacific Alliance Championships, held in Honolulu, Hawaii. She won the individual all-around competition, storming to win of just under a whole mark difference.