http://www.gymnastike.org/rss/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva
As the defending World Champion on parallel bars, Leyva will be in contention for several medals in London. He is a world class gymnast in the all around, as well as on p-bars and high bar.

In 2012, Danell Leyva is the one to beat in the United States. At Visa Championships he came in as defending champion, and ending up falling to John Orozco by a mere .05. Leyva won national titles on parallel bars and high bar, scoring a meet-high 16.0 on p-bars and 16.35 on high bar. Leyva easily advanced to the Olympic Trials and was widely considered a lock for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team.

At Trials, Leyva placed first all-around, as well as winning the parallel bars and high bar events. He also placed second on pommels, earning an automatic berth to the London Olympics.

Danell easily qualified for his first National Team at the 2009 Winter Cup, and in his first year on the team he was selected to represent the US at the 2009 World Championships in London. Before turning elite, Danell dominated Junior Olympic competition as well. At the 2008 Men's Junior Olympic National Championships Danell took 1st All Around, 1st on High Bar, 1st on Parallel Bars and 1st on Pommel horse.

Danell was selected to represent the United States in 2010 at the 17th Internationaux de France World Cup, Pacific Rim Championships and the World Championships and in 2011 at the Paris World Cup, the World Cup in Moscow and the Japan Cup. At the beginning of 2011, Leyva was selected to be a member of the Hilton HHonors team which is a group of male gymnasts that are sponsored and supported by Hilton Worldwide.

At the 2011 Winter Cup Challenge, Danell placed 4th on Still Rings, 1st on Parallel Bar and High Bar and 2nd in the All Around. At the 2011 Visa Championships, he placed 1st in the All Around, on Parallel Bars and on High Bar, 4th on Pommel Horse, 7th on Floor Exercise and 8th on Still Rings and Vault. Leyva has proven himself to be a strong All Around gymnast. Leyva was a member of the 2011 US Men's World Team that competed in Tokyo, Japan. The US men placed 3rd in the team final, missing the silver medal by .01. Additionally, Leyva qualified for the men's all around final and won the parallel bars title.

Danell won the all around at the 2011 Mexican Open. At the 2012 Winter Cup Challenge, Danell tied for first on high bar, placed 2nd on floor, and 4th in the all around and on parallel bars. Danell competed and won at the 2012 American Cup in March.]]> http://c0179261.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/730548_TIFC1omOsRlytwWgo1FQ_m.jpeg http://www.gymnastike.org/rss/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva en-us Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:01:39 GMT Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:01:39 GMT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/701237-Pro-Gymnastics-Challenge Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:36:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/701237-Pro-Gymnastics-Challenge http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/701439-Danell-Leyva-USA-HB-2013-French-International Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:54:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/701439-Danell-Leyva-USA-HB-2013-French-International http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/697670-Danell-Levya-on-his-American-Cup-floor-routine-I-just-had-nothing-else-to-give Sat, 02 Mar 2013 15:17:00 CST http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/697670-Danell-Levya-on-his-American-Cup-floor-routine-I-just-had-nothing-else-to-give http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/697150-HIGHLIGHTS-2013-ATT-American-Cup-Podium-Training
Competition at the 2013 AT&T American Cup takes place Saturday, March 2nd at 11:30AM in Worcester, MA. You can follow live updates from the competition right here on Gymnastike!]]> Fri, 01 Mar 2013 02:13:00 CST http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/697150-HIGHLIGHTS-2013-ATT-American-Cup-Podium-Training http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/697138-Defending-champion-Danell-Leyva-is-excited-for-a-London-rematch-at-the-American-Cup Thu, 28 Feb 2013 22:26:02 CST http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/697138-Defending-champion-Danell-Leyva-is-excited-for-a-London-rematch-at-the-American-Cup http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/657176-Danell-Leyva-Wants-to-Host-SNL
Danell is one of 13 Team Citi athletes participating in Citi's U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sponsorship program, entitled "Every Step of the Way" - www.citi.com/everystep - an interactive program that funds U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sport programs that have inspired these athletes on their journey to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As the youngest member of Team Citi and a former USA Gymnastics Future Stars program participant, Danell is helping raise funds for USAG's Future Stars to provide resources and equipment for the next generation of elite male gymnasts.]]> Tue, 02 Oct 2012 09:35:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/657176-Danell-Leyva-Wants-to-Host-SNL http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/653033-Danell-Leyva-after-Olympics-It-exceeded-my-expectations Thu, 16 Aug 2012 02:00:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/653033-Danell-Leyva-after-Olympics-It-exceeded-my-expectations http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/651988-The-Contender-Danell-Leyva Mon, 30 Jul 2012 02:00:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/651988-The-Contender-Danell-Leyva http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/651775-2012-Olympic-Mens-Team-Tribute-Not-Afraid
Song: Not Afraid (Instrumental with hook)
Artist: Eminem]]> Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:23:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/651775-2012-Olympic-Mens-Team-Tribute-Not-Afraid http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/650981-Danell-Leyva-Looks-to-London Sun, 22 Jul 2012 02:00:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/650981-Danell-Leyva-Looks-to-London http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/645933-Danell-Leyva-2012-Olympic-Trials-Champion-night-2-routines Video by NBC/Universal Sports]]> Thu, 05 Jul 2012 10:57:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/645933-Danell-Leyva-2012-Olympic-Trials-Champion-night-2-routines http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/645686-Music-legend-Kenny-Loggins-on-performing-for-Team-USA-and-his-childhood-attempts-at-some-Danger-Zone-backyard-gymnastics
Kick off your Sunday shoes and catch Kenny live on his nationwide tour this summer. Tour schedule: http://www.kennyloggins.com/tour.php.]]> Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:15:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/645686-Music-legend-Kenny-Loggins-on-performing-for-Team-USA-and-his-childhood-attempts-at-some-Danger-Zone-backyard-gymnastics http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/644963-Behind-the-Scenes-of-Olympic-Trials-Podium-Training Thu, 28 Jun 2012 22:45:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/644963-Behind-the-Scenes-of-Olympic-Trials-Podium-Training http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/644785-Universal-Danell-Leyva-partial-HB Thu, 28 Jun 2012 01:58:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/644785-Universal-Danell-Leyva-partial-HB http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/644784-Universal-Danell-Leyva-PT-dismount Thu, 28 Jun 2012 01:57:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/644784-Universal-Danell-Leyva-PT-dismount http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/644780-Universal-Danell-Leyva-PT-partial Thu, 28 Jun 2012 01:50:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/644780-Universal-Danell-Leyva-PT-partial http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/644781-Universal-Danell-Leyva-PT-dismount Thu, 28 Jun 2012 01:50:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/644781-Universal-Danell-Leyva-PT-dismount http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/644594-Danell-Leyva-2nd-half Wed, 27 Jun 2012 16:20:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/644594-Danell-Leyva-2nd-half http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/642840-Danell-Leyva-Gets-Personal Tue, 26 Jun 2012 02:00:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/642840-Danell-Leyva-Gets-Personal http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/640658-Teammate-Love-Horton-interviews-Leyva Sat, 09 Jun 2012 19:38:43 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/640658-Teammate-Love-Horton-interviews-Leyva http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/640576-Second-place-Leyva-Im-where-I-want-to-be Sat, 09 Jun 2012 16:32:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/640576-Second-place-Leyva-Im-where-I-want-to-be http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/640295-Defending-champ-Danell-Leyva-on-leading-Night-One
In the final rotation, Leyva was on the parallel bars, where he is the world champion, and scored a 15.8. He also performed well on pommel horse, earning the second-highest score of the night (14.80) much to his surprise.

However, Orozco finished just .05 shy of Leyva's score. Throughout the night Orozco only scored less than a 15.0 on one event, the pommel horse, where he performed a solid routine but was only awarded a 14.65.

Clustered well behind Leyva and Orozco were Sam Mikulak (90.55), Chris Brooks (90.5), and Jonathan Horton (90.3).

Click here for results and recap]]> Thu, 07 Jun 2012 23:51:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/640295-Defending-champ-Danell-Leyva-on-leading-Night-One http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/640156-Danell-Leyva-Chasing-another-National-Title-en-route-to-London-danell-leyva Thu, 07 Jun 2012 01:52:44 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/640156-Danell-Leyva-Chasing-another-National-Title-en-route-to-London-danell-leyva http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/639993-Universal-Danell-Leyva Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:55:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/639993-Universal-Danell-Leyva http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/639549-Danell-Leyvas-Olympic-Goals-Start-in-St-Louis
Danell is one of 13 Team Citi athletes participating in Citi's U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sponsorship program, entitled "Every Step of the Way" - www.citi.com/everystep - an interactive program that funds U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sport programs that have inspired these athletes on their journey to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As the youngest member of Team Citi and a former USA Gymnastics Future Stars program participant, Danell is helping raise funds for USAG's Future Stars to provide resources and equipment for the next generation of elite male gymnasts.]]> Mon, 04 Jun 2012 09:43:00 CDT http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/639549-Danell-Leyvas-Olympic-Goals-Start-in-St-Louis http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/615699-Danell-Leyva-comes-from-behind-to-win-2012-American-Cup-Title Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:29:00 CST http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/615699-Danell-Leyva-comes-from-behind-to-win-2012-American-Cup-Title http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/615123-Danell-Leyva-on-Competing-in-his-first-American-Cup-and-Surviving-Last-Weeks-Dog-Attack Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:32:00 CST http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/615123-Danell-Leyva-on-Competing-in-his-first-American-Cup-and-Surviving-Last-Weeks-Dog-Attack http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/596659-Super-Bowl-Predictions-from-Team-USAs-Winter-Cup-Gymnasts Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:03:00 CST http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/596659-Super-Bowl-Predictions-from-Team-USAs-Winter-Cup-Gymnasts http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/593732-Reigning-US-Champ-Danell-Leyva-Rallies-Back-into-3rd-for-Day-1-of-Winter-Cup Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:52:00 CST http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/593732-Reigning-US-Champ-Danell-Leyva-Rallies-Back-into-3rd-for-Day-1-of-Winter-Cup http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/554574-2011-Gymnastics-Year-in-Video Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:34:00 CST http://www.gymnastike.org/speaker/2295-Danell-Leyva/video/554574-2011-Gymnastics-Year-in-Video