Gymnast Katelyn Ohashi poses naked for ESPN's September Body Issue

Publish date: 2024-05-24

Gymnast Katelyn Ohashi has posed nude for ESPN's September Body Issue, which will be the magazine's final printed issue as it moves towards a digital platform for readers. 

The 22-year-old Seattle, Washington, native went viral on social media in January after competing 2019 Collegiate Challenge for her team — University of California, Los Angeles. Her performance on the floor earned her a perfect 10 and stunned fans around the world. 

Now Katelyn is making her appearance in ESPN's iconic Body Issue alongside other accomplished athletes —including U.S. Women's National Soccer Team star Kelley O’Hara and NBA point guard Chris Paul. 

Work it: Gymnast Katelyn Ohashi has posed nude for ESPN's September Body Issue, out on newsstands Wednesday

Work it: Gymnast Katelyn Ohashi has posed nude for ESPN's September Body Issue, out on newsstands Wednesday 

Focused: The 22-year-old Seattle native went viral in January for her floor routine during the 2019 Collegiate Challenge

Focused: The 22-year-old Seattle native went viral in January for her floor routine during the 2019 Collegiate Challenge

Incredible talent: She earned a perfect 10 for her high-powered performance on the mat, and it garnered her internet fame

Incredible talent: She earned a perfect 10 for her high-powered performance on the mat, and it garnered her internet fame

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Behind-the-scenes shots show the gymnast leaping around the room and demonstrating perfect splits mid-air, all while in the bare nude. 

These poses will appear in the final print of the September Body Issue published by ESPN annually, and will be out on newsstands Wednesday. 

The annual issue aims to celebrate the achievements of individual athletes while also showcasing their toned frames. 

Katelyn earned the honor from ESPN after she went viral in January for the second time with her high-powered floor routine during the 2019 Collegiate Challenge. 

The gymnast, who has since retired from the sport after finishing her final year with the UCLA Bruins women's gymnastics team — which she competed on for four years while attending the college. 

Posing nude for ESPN is a big deal for Katelyn, who has previously spoken about issues she has overcome with body shamers online.  

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Share Stunning: Behind-the-scenes shots show Katelyn leaping through the air and posing in water for the new issue

Stunning: Behind-the-scenes shots show Katelyn leaping through the air and posing in water for the new issue 

Impeccable skills: Posing nude for ESPN is a big deal for Katelyn, who has previously spoken about issues she has overcome with body shamers online

Impeccable skills: Posing nude for ESPN is a big deal for Katelyn, who has previously spoken about issues she has overcome with body shamers online

Katelyn opened up about her struggles with her body image when speaking to CNN earlier this year. Some of the body problems sparked after she went viral on social media for her fun floor routines because she was subjected to a number of shameful comments about her figure. 

'I feel like, a lot of times, I've felt alone when I was going through all this stuff,' Katelyn told CNN in August. 

'Social media portrays one side of a person that they don't mind you seeing, but the other parts are hidden and not so openly talked about.

'And so being that person that welcomes every person that doesn't feel "normal" — or whatever that means right — with open arms and make them feel like they're not the only people. Because, trust me, everyone's going through their own things.'

Katelyn has used her platform to address body issues with the public to hopefully help other people going through similar struggles. 

Killing it: Katelyn went viral for her infamous floor routine in January While she received an insane amount of praise, the gymnast admitted she also had people commenting on her body

Killing it: Katelyn went viral for her infamous floor routine in January. While she received an insane amount of praise, the gymnast admitted she also had people rudely commenting about her body 

Accomplished: Katelyn's appearance in ESPN's Body Issue comes as the publication announced a change to its issue, instead focusing its efforts on the digital platform

Accomplished: Katelyn's appearance in ESPN's Body Issue comes as the publication announced a change to its issue, instead focusing its efforts on the digital platform

Recently, she accepted two ESPY's awards — Best Play and Viral Sports Moment — and used her time onstage to address people who chose to body shame others on social media.  

'Being able to help people is what I strive for,' Katelyn said about that moment. 'They always say, "those 15 minutes of fame," right? I've managed to elongate my time from one gymnastics video, which is really amazing to see.

'And continuing to spread this positive message to other people that might be struggling or need to hear exactly what I've been through.'  

Katelyn's appearance in ESPN's Body Issue comes as the publication announced a change to its print issues, instead focusing efforts on the digital platform. 

The magazine intends for the September issue to be its last but is considering exploring 'differentiated print formats' for big series, Ad Week reports.   

'Our data shows the vast majority of readers already consume our print journalism on digital platforms, and this approach will maximize our reach and impact,' ESPN said in a statement.  

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