dismount
A NEW VOICE
HEALTH problems silently ended Sabina Cojocar’s gymnastics career, but the multi-talented
Romanian has found her voice as a
recording artist who is expressing
herself anew through vocal themes of
love, humanity and faith.
Sabina Cojocar at the 2000 European junior
championships in Paris, and today in Romania (inset).
For more on Cojocar, visit www.sabina-cojocar.com
Cojocar’s retirement in 2003, and
today she follows a strict diet and
exercise regimen to maintain her
health.
Music soon gave Cojocar solace
and healing, despite a dubious reac-
tion from her father. “He told me to
stop dreaming and keep my feet on
the ground,” Cojocar recalls. “He
would laugh at me sometimes when
he would hear me exercising my voice
but failing to hit some notes. My
dad’s attitude got me more ambitious
than discouraged, and I started think-
ing seriously about proving to him
that I can learn to use my voice. That
I can sing, and that I’d have my own
song one day.”
Cojocar, who released “Domine” in
2006 and the more commercial “I
Don’t Wanna Lose You” in 2007, says
her vocal range allows her to best sing
pop, R&B and blues. “’I’m usually
inspired by real events in my life and
events in the life of a close friend or
family,” she says. “Sometimes I cover
a song only because I happen to love
the song and agree with its message.”
Jewelry design gives Cojocar
another creative outlet, and a
side business known as Art by
Sabina. She draws inspira-
tion from the shape and
color of the beads that she
fashions into unique ear-
rings, necklaces, bracelets
and even bookmarks.
While singing and
designing have replaced
gymnastics as Cojocar’s
main passions, she
remains faithful to the
sport. She earned degrees
in physical education and
business management in
2008, and has coached in
Romania and Norway.
“It was hard to let go of a
dream that I was getting prepared
for my whole youth,” Cojocar says.
“It took me a few years to find peace
with myself. My friends and fans were
a wonderful source of help and support through those times, and they
continue to be supportive. I thank
them for this.” —John Crumlish
nastics success leading up to the
2004 Olympics. She earned the 2000
European junior all-around title, and
helped Romania win the 2001
worlds, where she placed sixth all-around. Diagnosed in 2000 with
hypercholesterolemia (high level of
cholesterol in the blood), she was
erroneously prescribed medication
that was not intended for children.
Ensuing liver problems compelled
“It was hard to let go
of a dream that I was
getting prepared for
my whole youth.”
