WATCH: Gabby Thomas, coach Tonja Buford-Bailey and training partners practice splits ahead of 2025 track season

Gabby Thomas, coach Tonja Buford-Bailey and others perform splits. PHOTO: Instagram/ baileytonja
Gabby Thomas, coach Tonja Buford-Bailey and others perform splits. PHOTO: Instagram/ baileytonja

Gabby Thomas, her coach Tonja Buford-Bailey, and training partners recently attempted splits ahead of the 2025 track season. The training group, headed by the retired Olympic medalist, is a part of the Buford Bailey Track Club located in Austin, Texas.

Thomas shared a video reel of herself, her training partners, and her coach attempting to do splits. While Thomas herself couldn’t achieve a full split but performed decently, Cyréna Samba-Mayela, Cambrea Nichole, Rayniah Jones, Tia Jones, and even coach Tonja Buford-Bailey showed impressive split skills.

Thomas captioned the reel, asking her followers to decide who they thought was the best among everyone, adding:

"Who’s was the best? 😂 mind you I am not a hurdler…"

Take a look at the video here -

Meanwhile, fellow training partners Tamara Clark and Bianca Stubler struggled in their attempts to do the splits. After Thomas uploaded the video, Tia Jones shared a hilarious comment on the post regarding Stubler, who terribly failed while attempting the exercise, writing:

“Coach said “ Bianca how I can do this better then you and I ain’t stretch in 3 years “ 😂😂😂😂”
Screenshot of Tia Jones’ comment on the reel. Credits - IG/ @gabbythomas
Screenshot of Tia Jones’ comment on the reel. Credits - IG/ @gabbythomas

Meanwhile, fans were impressed by Victoria, Tonja Buford-Bailey’s daughter, whose split also featured in the video


Gabby Thomas’ coach Tonja Buford-Bailey presents the Olympian with the USA female track and field athlete for 2024

Gabby Thomas at Paris Olympics (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Gabby Thomas at Paris Olympics (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Gabby Thomas received a major award from the USATF for her record-breaking performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she won three gold medals—one in the 200m and two as an integral member of the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams.

Following her impressive display at the quadrennial games, she was named the U.S. female track and field athlete of the year. What made the moment even more special for the 28-year-old was that she not only achieved the milestone on her birthday but also received the award from her coach, Tonja Buford-Bailey.

Thomas took to Instagram to share glimpses from the award ceremony and expressed her gratitude, captioning the post:

“Jackie Joyner-Kersee female athlete of the year ✨ Thank you @usatf , and to my day one who presented me the award @baileytonja 🫶🏽 Humbled, honored, and not slowing down.”

In the post’s comments, USA tennis star Coco Gauff, rugby player Ilona Maher, and retired athlete Shelby Rogers were among those who congratulated Gabby Thomas on her achievement.

Quick Links

Edited by Tushhita Barua
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications