Petaluma's Jennifer Fujii wins third national championship

<p>Petaluma's Jennifer Fujii is the best aerobic gymnast in the United States — again, again. </p><p>Fujii three-peated as the United States champion last month, winning against the best competition in the country in the national championships held in Las Vegas. </p><p>The national championship marked the end of a grueling season, and, she says, the end of her career as a competitive aerobic gymnast. </p><p>“I've not only accomplished my original dream of being a national champion, but I've gone above and beyond what I ever thought I could do.” she explained.</p><p>“I still have a lot of passion and drive, it is just time to take all the passion and drive and put them into other areas of my life, and what better way to go out then on top.”</p><p>She said she isn't sure just what might be next, but she did offer a clue. “I've bought a new pair of rollerblades,” she said.</p><p>Aerobic gymnastis combines aerobics, sports acrobatics and rhythmic gymnastics with music, dance and choreography. Performers include certain elements (including three that are madatory) into each routine, choreographed to carefully selected music.</p><p>After winning the national championship for the second straight year in 2009, Fujii stayed in Las Vegas to reach the semifinals in that competition. Her win at the nationals qualified her for the World Championship competition in France and she almost immediately began preparing to face the best in the world.</p><p>To prepare for the world competition, she competed in April in a major international event in the Czech Republic. </p><p>“I really wanted to test my routine,” she explained. “I finished in the middle of the pack, but I learned some things. As a result of that competition, I made some changes in my routine.”</p><p>While she learned a few things, it was a difficult trip. “It is so far away in distance, food, culture, everything. It is a long way to go for a 90-second routine.”</p><p>In June she competed in the World's Championships in Rodez, France. Although she did not reach the semifinals, the experience is one she will forever remember.</p><p>“It was awesome,” she said. “It was overwhelming to realize you are with the best in the world.”</p><p>Four weeks later, she successfully defended her U.S. title in Las Vegas. </p><p>“It is never easy,” she said. “In many ways this was the sweetest win. There hasn't been a three-peat national champion in over seven years. I really wanted to win again, but the competion is always fierce.”</p><p>In the international competition, which always immediately follows the National Championships, she failed to make the top eight that qualifies for the finals.</p><p>“The judges failed to give me credit for two elements that I have always received credit for,” she pointed out.</p><p>Still, that slip couldn't take the sweetness out of her third straight national title. </p><p>As always, Fujii worked hard to prepare for the competition, working with coaches Dale Duncan and Terri Rivero. Rivero is a two-time world champion who was the last U.S. woman to win a medal at the world championships.</p><p>One of the things Fujii can now do is concentrate more on Inspired Fitness, the family oriented fitness center on Casa Grande Road she owns along with her husband, John Fujii, and partner Mike George. “They are very excited to have my full attention,” she said. </p><p>“Even in a bad economy, people tend to focus on their health. It is definitly a priority with a lot of people,” she explained.</p><p> “And they are looking for a family friendly place.</p><p>“We are like the Cheers of gyms, where everybody knows your name. That's what has really made us successful.”</p>