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MEET OUR DRAGON CREW!

Jiani Wu & Yuejiu Li - Head Coaches & Owners

Jiani and Yuejiu have been coaching gymnastics for over 35 years. They have coached the National Team in USA, China, and Canada. They first met when they were both National team members at the Chinese National training center. They started dating right before the 1984 Olympics and got married in 1986. Legacy Elite is a world renowned training center ran by a family who have love and passion for kids and the sport of gymnastics.
 

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Coach Jiani- Team Head Coach

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  • US National Team Member coach

  • Team USA International Elite Committee 

  • ​IL State TOPs Coordinator

  • 2013 Region 5 JO Coach of the Year

  • 2012 Elite Coach of the Year

  • 2010-11 USA Team -World's Assistant Coach

  • 2007 Region 5 Junior Olympic Coach of the Year

  • 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES – China Bronze Medal Team

  • 1981 Worlds 2nd place Team competition, the Chinese women’s first World Championships medal

  • Five-time Chinese National Champion

  • Chinese national team 1977-1985

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Coach Yuejiu- Team Head Coach

  • US National Team Member Coach

  • 2014 Inducted into INTERNATIONAL GYMNASTICS HALL OF FAME (Watch the Hall of Fame video here)

  • 2013 Region 5 Junior Olympic Coach of the Year

  • 2012 Region 5 Elite Coach of the Year

  • 2008 Chinese Women’s and Men’s Coordinator for the GOLD medal winning OLYMPIC team

  • 2007 World’s Gold Medal Chinese team Coach

  • 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES – Silver Medal Men’s team

  • 1981 World Championships - China’s first male World Champion placing 1st on floor

  • Chinese national team member for over 10 years

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Coach Anna- Team Head Coach, Manager

  • 2012 Olympic Team - gold medal

  • 2012 U.S. Championship uneven bars bronze medalist

  • 2011 World Championships Team - gold medal

  • 2010 NCAA Team Champion (UCLA)

  • 8-time All-American

  • Scored two perfect 10s on bars

  • 3-time Pac-10 champion (2010 & 2009 bars, 2007 beam)

  • Won 6 career Regional titles (4 on bars, 1 on vault and 1 on beam)

  • 3-year All-Pac-10 honoree in the all-around

  • Performed on the Post Olympic "Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions"

  • IL TOPS Program State Director

  • 2016 Region 5 Hall of Fame Induction (Watch introduction here) (Watch Anna's acceptance speech here)

  • 2019 USAG Athlete Rep (Athlete Council)

  • FIG Brevet (Olympic Level) Judge

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Coach Jordyn- Xcel & Team Coach

  • Legacy Elite Xcel & Team Coach 

  • Ball State University Gymnast

  • 4x Academic All Mac Honoree

  • 2016 NCAA Regional Qualifier

  • Favorite Event: Beam

  • Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Bulls

  • Favorite thing about Legacy Elite: "The amazing coaches that I get to learn from and coaching at competitions are a lot of fun"

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Coach Shannyn- Team Coach

  • Legacy Elite Team Coach 

  • Competitive Gymnast

  • 14 Years Coaching 

  • Collegiate Diver

  • 2x All American & Scholar Athlete

  • Favorite Event: Beam

  • "I started coaching when I was 15yrs old and have continued growing in my passion for coaching and skill throughout the years. I spent 3 years coaching competitive team at WCC under Laurent and Cecile Landi, where I helped many athletes bring home state titles and grew in my coaching abilities. I love coaching and watching athletes gain confidence and overcome their fears, to become capable and strong young ladies in and out of the gym!​

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Coach Jenn- Team Coach

  • Competitive Team Coach for 20+ years

  • Favorite Food: Potato

  • Favorite Event: Beam

  • Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Bears

  • Favorite Athlete: Muhammad Ali

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Coach Cathy- Xcel & Team Coach
 

  • Coached competitive gymnastics for 4 years

  • Operational Specialist in US Coast Guard

  • "I love coaching gymnastics because I get to help athletes uncover new limits to their bravery and potential that they themselves might not have not been aware they were capable of."

  • Favorite event: Beam
  • Favorite sports team: US Womens gymnastics teams- past, present, & future
  • Favorite thing about Legacy Elite: "I love Legacy Elite's atmosphere of young women supportig each other to better themselves, while working towards a common goal. A rising tide lifts all boats"
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Coach Nikki- Team & Rec Coach
 

  • Legacy Elite Alumni- Competitive Team Gymnast

  • Illinois State & Regional Champion

  • Favorite Event: Vault

  • Favorite Sports Team: Chicago White Sox

  • Favorite Athlete: Aly Raisman

  • Favorite thing about Legacy Elite: "The warm and welcoming environment. Everyone is super friendly and all the coaches care deeply about teaching gymnastics"

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Coach Tony- Rec Staff Manager & Rec Coach

  • Favorite Event: Beam

  • Favorite Sports Team: Detroit Lions

  • Favorite Athlete: Barry Sanders

  • Best thing about Legacy Elite: "Legacy Elite is a fun and interactive environment for all kids. I love seeing the kids smiling and making new friends!"

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Coach Sasha- PreTeam Coach & Rec Coach


  • Soviet Union National Team

  • Competitive team coach for 40+ years

  • Favorite Food: Steak

  • Favorite Event: High Bar

  • Favorite Sports Team: Brazil Soccer Team

  • Favorite Athlete: Diego Maradona (soccer)

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Coach Sydnee- Team & Rec Coach

  • Legacy Elite Alumni- Competitive Gymnast

  • College Cheer Team

  • 5 Years at Legacy Elite

  • Favorite Event: Floor

  • Favorite Skill to teach: backhandspring

  • Favorite thing about coaching: "Helping others believe in themselves! I love to see the kids grow in gymnastics."

  • Best thing about Legacy Elite: "Coach Anna, Jiani, and Yuejiu are some of the best coaches nation-wide. I am extremely grateful to be working for them!"

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Coach Alyce- Rec Coach

  • Competitive Xcel gymnast at Legacy Elite

  • Favorite Event: Floor

  • Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Bulls

  • Favorite Athlete: Simone Biles

  • Best thing about Legacy Elite: "The loving coaches"

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Coach Nathan- Rec, Ninja, Parkour Coach

  • Favorite Event: Parkour, Tumbling/Vault

  • Favorite Sports Team: Dallas Cowboys

  • Favorite Athlete: Paul Rodriguez (Skateboarder)

  • Best thing about Legacy Elite: "It's where you can go to become the best and have fun doing it!"

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Coach Emily- Rec Coach

  • Competitive Xcel Gymnast

  • Favorite Event: Bars

  • Favorite Sports Team: UCLA womens gymnastics

  • Favorite Athlete: Simone Biles

  • Best thing about Legacy Elite: "I love how positive and nice all the coaches are. They make me feel at home!"

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Coach Alyssa- Rec Coach

  • Tumbling and Cheer for 13 years

  • Favorite Event: Floor/Tumbling

  • Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Blackhawks

  • Best thing about Legacy Elite: "We are a family that works hard while making sure we have fun :-) "

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Coach Kayli- Rec Coach

  • Competitive Xcel gymnast

  • 2022 Gold Medalist at AAU Nationals

  • 2023 Gold and Silver medalist at Chellsie Classic

  • Favorite Athlete: Jonathan Horton

  • Favorite Event: To train, Bars. To compete, Floor.

  • Best thing about Legacy Elite: "My favorite thing about Legacy Elite is the encouraging atmosphere and that we train gymnasts of all ages."

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Coach Max- Rec Coach & Ninja Warrior/Parkour Coach

  • Competitive gymnast

  • Favorite Event: Pommel Horse

  • Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Bears

  • Favorite Athlete: Eliud Kipchoge (Runner)

  • Favorite Thing about Legacy Elite: "The fun environment for both the coaches and kids!

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Coach Hibah- Rec Coach

  • Competitive gymnast, martial arts, & basketball

  • Favorite Event: Bars and Floor

  • Favorite Sports Team: UCLA Gymnastics

  • Favorite Athlete: Katelyn Ohashi & Gabby Douglas

  • Favorite Thing about Legacy Elite: Team Camaraderie & Fun

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Coach Talia- Rec Coach

  • Past Competitive gymnast

  • Illinois State Circus 

  • Favorite Event: Beam

  • Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Bears

  • Favorite Athlete: Shannon Miller

  • Favorite Thing about Legacy Elite: "The endless opportunities and goals for all gymnasts."

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Coach Bella- Rec Coach

  • Competitive gymnast at Simpson College

  • Legacy Elite Alumni level 10 gymnast

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Coach Ariel- Rec Coach

  • Was a competitive Gymnast

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Coach Brianna- Rec Coach​

  • Favorite Event: Floor

  • Favorite Sports Team: Boston Red Sox

  • Favorite Athlete: Rob Gronkowski

  • Best thing about Legacy Elite: "I love the community with the girls and the coaches. It's fun to come to work""

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Coach Tea- Rec Coach

  • Favorite Event: Floor

  • Favorite sports team: Golden State Warriors

  • Favorite Athlete: Serena Williams

  • Favorite thing about Legacy Elite: "The overall focus we have on the enjoymet of the kids and its always our goal to help kids grow"

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Coach Andy- Rec Coach

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Coach Adama- Rec Coach

  • Favorite Event: Floor

  • Favorite Sports Team: UCLA Gymnastics

  • Favorite Athlete: Simone Biles

  • Favorite thing about Legacy Elite: "It's a comfortable environment and I love helping the kids grow ad improve their skills"

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Coach Mackenzie- Rec Coach

  • Legacy Elite Alumni competitive gymnast

  • Favorite Event: Bars

  • Favorite Sports Team: Philadelphia Eagles

  • Favorite Athlete: Demi Bennett

  • Favorite Thing about Legacy Elite: "The supportive coaches and supportive teammates."

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Coach Rithi- Rec Coach

  • Competitive Xcel gymnast at Legacy Elite

  • Favorite Event: Beam

  • Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Bulls

  • Favorite Athlete: Simone Biles

  • Best thing about Legacy Elite: "The fun and friendly environment"

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Coach Kiera- Rec Coach

  • Competitive gymnast

  • Favorite Event: Floor

  • Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Cubs

  • Favorite Athlete: Simone Biles

  • Best thing about Legacy Elite: "The amazing atmosphere that the kids and coaches make. The positivity spread through the gym from everyone."

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