Sun Jan 22nd, 2012
Carlson Gracie Jujitsu
Miami, Florida
… for all those who wish to obtain the benefits of gymnastics strength training including fitness enthusiasts, MMA, crossfit, parkour, free running, yoga, climbing and gymnastics professionals. Beginners are absolutely welcome …
After a diagnosis of a germ cell tumor, a rare form of ovarian cancer, surgery and chemotherapy, Shannon realized more than ever that it is important to celebrate each and every day. She is focused on the future and is encouraging other cancer survivors to Seize the Day!
Catalina Ponor is one of the best and most fascinating gymnasts of all time.
She’s outspoken. Independent. Fierce.
Ponor won 3 gold medals in Athens. Then, shortly after, lack of discipline got her banned from the National Training Centre.
If Romania is to get back on the Team podium in London, Catalina, now age-24, will be on that team.
Fangymnastics has an English language translation of a recent interview with Adevarul:
What made you come back after having retired?
I honestly missed this a lot. I missed the gym, training, especially competing. I really wanted to come back.
What was the defining moment in this decision?
I looked back and I told myself that if other gymnasts from other countries can keep doing gymnastics at that age, why not me? And I returned very focused, very decided. God helped me prove you can come back after 4 years.
How about your USA experience?
It was nice, I learned so much from the people there, I really enjoyed it. I liked the life there, how the girls and the people treated me. Unfortunately, I can say people outside Romania treat me with more respect than those here. Not all of us here know how to respect and value the person, in other countries they know how to appreciate this and keep their best people close.
Are you considering moving to the USA after retiring?
Brigid linked to a good Gymnastics Zone article – Top 12 FX and Beam Dance Tips:
1. Have fun!
Many gymnasts perform as if they do not understand that the judges and audience can read their emotions just by looking at them. Nearly 70% of communication is by non-verbal means, like body posture, inner attitude and facial expression. Put yourself in a good mood and everyone will like you and your routines better.
2. Perform!
Regardless of the importance of the competition and the subsequent pressure you might feel, your real job is to perform to the best of your ability, at the particular time and place of the meet. This is your opportunity to show everyone what you have been doing in the gym for months and years. People love gymnasts who go all out to put on a show for them, regardless of their actual skill level, mistakes and competitive success. Put on a real show for them and they will love you.
Skateboarding and BMX freestyle have a shot at becoming Olympic sports at the 2016 Summer Games …
Cycling’s world governing body, the Switzerland-based Union Cycliste Internationale, and others are lobbying for the sports to be added to the 2016 Games in Rio …
UCI attempted to include skateboarding in London’s 2012 Olympics, but it fell through …
… The IOC has set a limit of 28 sports for the 2016 Games, meaning several sports will compete over the last two available slots. For example, baseball and softball are making bids for a return, as both were dropped from the 2012 program because not enough top players were able to compete. Other events looking for a spot in Rio include golf, rugby, squash and karate.
That’s the title of World Champion Jordyn Wieber’s Mom’s upcoming book. Self-published, Rita’s already got a distributor.
It’s going to be interesting:
… Rita Wieber was in London visiting a friend 10 years ago when she received a call from her husband David telling her that their 6-year-old daughter had been offered a spot on an accelerated gymnastics team.
Rita Wieber called the coach, John Geddert, and was up front with him.
“My daughter just made the ‘silver stars’ team, and it’s nine hours a week — we’re thinking this is a ridiculous amount of time,” Wieber told the coach. “Do you really think she’s that good?’ ”
Geddert replied: “Well, she didn’t score very well in the skills department — she really can’t do any tricks, and she’s not that flexible — but she’s really, really strong, and that’s something you can’t necessarily teach as much as you can teach flexibility and skill. I think she has potential.” …
Where can I pre-order?
… On the other hand, Rita Wieber’s got MUCH to survive yet.
21st World Age Group Competition in Trampoline Gymnastics and Tumbling, November 24 – 27, 2011
… The event included all four disciplines (Individual, Synchronised Trampoline, Double Mini Trampoline and Tumbling) for boys and girls divided into four age groups: 11-12 / 13-14 / 15-16 and 17-18 years old. …
… 683 gymnasts competing in Trampoline, 171- in Tumbling and 233- in DMT; some competitors took part in more than one discipline. …
Trampoline & Tumbling is growing worldwide. And I heard only good news from people who were there.
Putting aside whether or not kids this young need an event this big, I’m worried the families will be bankrupt from paying travel costs before they get to be Seniors.
Don’t be overwhelmed. It’s actually oriented for beginner and intermediate athletes of all kinds. The emphasis is on upper body strength training using your own body weight. CrossFit and Gymnastics.
It’s $49.95 on Amazon. Unfortunately there’s no Kindle edition, as yet.
Russia’s Evgenia Shelgunova won the all-around at the 15th annual Top Gym meet, a competition for youngsters not eligible for the upcoming Olympic Games being held this weekend in Charleroi, Belgium.
Shelgunova, who also competed at the 2011 Trofeo di Jeoslo, had the highest scores on balance beam (14.15) and floor (14.05) to top Italy’s Alessia Leolini and Canadian sensation Shallon Olsen by more than two points in the all-around.
Olsen, who vaults a very good double-twisting Yurchenko, had the highest score of the entire meet with her 15.05 on vault. Russia’s Yulia Chemareva, fourth all-around, was best on uneven bars (14.2).
Briannah and Shallon are from Omega, Vancouver, coached by Vladimir and Svetlana Lashin. I’m hearing rumours the coaches were sued for Negligence Causing Bodily Injury from a 2006 incident. That a settlement has finally been reached, the girl awarded substantial compensation.
Leave a comment if you can confirm that.
Canada needs 3-4 DTYs for the Olympic Test Meet in January, I’m thinking.
This is Sidney Crosby, the best player in Ice Hockey today.
… In 2010–11, Crosby sustained a concussion as a result of hits to the head in back-to-back games. The injury left him sidelined for ten-and-a-half months. …
… Here, at the elite Neurotrauma Impact Science Laboratory, researchers led by Blaine Hoshizaki are reconstructing a hit similar to Crosby’s first one to establish the relationship between helmet performance and how concussions occur. …
Sid returned on November 21, 2011 against the New York Islanders, scoring two goals and two assists in a 5–0 shutout win. Smart move his team waiting until they were sure he was healthy.
Sidney should have been taken out after the first of his two hits. But athletes want to get up and keep fighting. Coaches and medics need intervene.
The same thing happened at World Championships 2011. Yusuke Tanaka had an obvious concussion on Floor in prelims, yet his team coaches and medical staff kept him in the meet. Dr. Michel Léglise for FIG and meet medical officials made no intervention.
I often think the huge American competitive program should produce rare talents from unexpected places. Yet surprisingly few clubs in 2011 want to try, and are able to develop, athletes for international competition.
For Junior and Senior Women’s National Team:
All 32 National Team Members Come from Only 19 Gyms
Half (50%) of the National Team Members Come from Only 5 Gyms
… WOGA Gymnastics, Cincinnati, Gymnastics Great American Gymnastics Express (GAGE), Legacy Elite Gymnastics and Texas Dreams …
About a quarter come from the Dallas/Ft.Worth area.
There are just a handful of coaches producing most of the National Team. Most have immigrated to the States.
The list is already out of date. Nastia (WOGA) and Amanda Jetter (Cincinnati) were re-named to National team recently, but it only makes the concentration of top talent even more obvious.
Of the candidates currently on National Team, a half dozen are deemed long shots because they “lack international experience“.
The American Women’s Gymnastics program rarely competes internationally. As a result, girls like Kyla Ross and Kennedy Baker are unlikely to be selected for London.
… On the other hand, Marta took young, inconsistent and inexperienced Gabby to Tokyo — and she ended up 5th (57.6570) all-around.
The Olympics are a much bigger deal than Worlds. Marta will be far less likely to name a no name.
Bottom line = It’s time American gymnasts started competing more internationally, especially National Team members.
Not only that — they need more experience on actual podium. China has one set up full time.
