The Romanian press are indicating that the three time Olympic medalist is to once again come out of retirement to compete for Romania.
The 33 year old gymnast who has many titles to his name, first retired from the sport in mid 2005 following the 2004 Olympic Games where he won three medals. This was a short lived retirement, as he competed at the 2005 World Championships in Melbourne winning the world title on Vault. In 2008 after a difficult few years in competition, he competed at the Beijing Olympic Games. He failed to medal, placing 7th on Floor and 4th on Vault. Dragulescu announced his retirement a further two times in 2008. The first time was following the Olympic Games, only him to over turn his decision to compete in the German Budesliga. After a successful stint in Germany he announced his retirement for a third time, to take up coaching and vowing to create a gymnast better than himself.
Skip through to 2009 and retirement was on the cards again yet Dragulescu made a comeback at the World Championships, winning gold on both Floor and Vault. 2010 to 2011 was a mixed year, though still a gymnast, Draguelscu sat out the Romanian Nationals and European Championships. His come back at the 2010 World Championships was unsuccessful, failing to qualify to the Team or Event Finals. Having spent time preparing to come back as an All Around gymnast, he competed at the 2011 Romanian Nationals and World Championships. In doing so he qualified to the World AA, Floor and Vault finals as well as this, he helped Romania qualify a team to the London 2012 Olympic Games. It was a bitter sweet and short lived comeback as he withdrew from all three finals due to injury.
In July 2012 it was reported that Dragulescu was ruled out of the Olympic Games since not making a full recovery from the injury sustained at the 2011 World Championships. In November of the same year he announced his retirement for a fifth time. At the time, we presumed that this would be the final time, however, Romanian news outlets are now reporting that Dragulescu is making a comeback for the Rio 2016 Olympics. Pro Sport reports that he will aim for the All Around competition if his body allows him.
It’s an interesting thought. Dragulescu will be 35 if he makes it to the Rio Olympic Games, he would be considered “‘old” but let’s not forget the great Iordan Iovtchev who competed in his sixth Olympics in London at the age of 38.
…When do the rumours of Catalina Ponor begin?