Calgary Gymnastics Centre did an excellent job hosting the final “mock meet” for two teams:
World Championships: Nathan Gafuik, Calgary, Hugh Smith, Halifax, Kevin Lytwyn, Stoney Creek, Ont., Casey Sandy, Brampton, Ont., Ken Ikeda, Abbotsford, B.C., Jayd Lukenchuk, Saskatoon, Jackson Payne, Edmonton.
Commonwealth Games: Ian Galvan, Cagary, Tariq Dowers, Mississauga, Ont., Robert Watson, Coquitlam, B.C., Anderson Loran, Saskatoon, Jason Scott, Richmond, B.C.
That’s Kyle Shewfelt doing colour commentary for TV.
I thought the guys looked surprisingly good. The Canadian Men’s program is rebuilding from the best ever team we had in 2008. Despite many young competitors, they hit over 80% of routines. Jayd Lukenchuk, for example, looked right at home on the Senior team.
The Commonwealth team is young. It will be a fantastic experience for them … if they survive the rats and sleeping dogs in the Delhi Athlete’s Village.
Liang Cheng and Tony Smith will be the coaches on the Floor at World Championships, Rotterdam.
But with Edouard Iarov on the FIG Technical Committee, the Canadian National Team Coordinator is none other than esteemed Masaki Naosaki. This should help. Nao is a great influence. A philosopher coach with a wealth of experience.
Check some of Nao’s coaching career highlights. He was Canadian Men’s Olympic Head Coach in 1988 and 1992.
A blast from the past. In fact, a couple of other coaching legends are headed to Rotterdam too: Mitz Ikeda and Tak Kikuchi.
… I’ll post some routines over the next few days.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 