Entries Tagged 'aerobics' ↓

Just added some dates to my personal calendar.

FIG calendar page

by site editor Rick McCharles.

The International Gymnastics Federation moved from Moutier to a new building in Lausanne, Switzerland earlier this year.

It’s conveniently located close to the train station.

This past summer, on recommendation from Keith Russell, I visited the new digs. And was very impressed with the operation.

Meike Behrensen, F.I.G. Media Operations Coordinator, gave me a tour.

(You’ve probably noticed how well and widely Meike has been getting information out to the world in recent months. I’m getting updates every couple of days from multiple sources. Thanks.)

I felt a bit sheepish entering the lovely historic building after all the less than positive things I’ve had to say about F.I.G. over the years. But you won’t find Bruno Grandi at the FIG offices. Nor
Nellie Kim.

Here the FIG employees work frantically trying to keep all the events and programs worldwide on track.

It’s not easy.

I was impressed with everyone I met: young, enthusiastic, energetic, multi-lingual. To survive working for FIG you must have a lot of good qualities.

On this blog we mostly cover Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. But in Lausanne they administer Trampoline Sports, Rhythmic, Aerobic, Acrobatic, Gymnastics for All, … and much, much more.

Consider this a shout out for the F.I.G. Staff. We really appreciate what you are doing for coaches and athletes.

Related:

Shawn Johnson: Olympic Champion: Stories Behind the Smile
21.99

Limited Edition Autographed Shawn Johnson: Olympic Champion: Stories Behind the Smile
50.00

Where to send your money – Hy-Vee.com

I saw this too-late-for-Christmas gift idea linked from an excellent, well-informed new blog called All Gymnastics, All the time.

Up to date information about all the disciplines of gymnastics..

It covers Rhythmic, Trampoline Sports, Aerobic and Acrobatic Gymnastics.

From Addicted to Aerobics.

Lubi Gazov from Austria – Addicted to Aerobics – (Alert – Site has embedded music.)

Sarah left a comment:

Believe it or not, there is also University Gymnastics in South Africa (yes there is gymnastics in South Africa!) It falls under USSA (University Sports South Africa) and SAGF (South African Gymnastics Federation).

There is a National Competition every year which all the Uni’s compete against eachother. It is as serious or as fun as you want. There are apparatus medals as well as all around and team event.

… There are only 2 Uni’s that I know of that have their own gyms; University of Pretoria (TUKS) and Stellenbosch (Maties). The others train in clubs in their area. All year round there are intervarsity and other events avail. …

Thanks Sarah. That’s good to hear.

The University of Pretoria website states that they offer Men’s and Women’s Artistic, Rhythmic and Trampoline Gymnastics.

TuksGymnastics operates from the L.C de Villiers Sport Center, which is located on the University of Pretoria Sports Grounds in South Street, Hatfield, Pretoria.

University of Pretoria

Geraldine Jahn en Wilson Mafona – Aerobic gymnasts – source

related post: British University Gymnastics

My friends from Cambodia will be excited to travel to Bangkok, Thailand for the biggest competition of their lives.

… the first ever Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships at Fashion Island, Bangkok, from December 5 – 7, 2008. …

Ten national federations have confirmed their participation in the event: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Thailand and Vietnam, bringing the total of participating gymnasts to 122.

FIG – First Asian Championships!

Marcela Lopez from Brazil is the reigning World Champion of Aerobic Gymnastics.

The strength and flexibility of these athletes is astonishing. Check her planche in this routine from the 10th Annual World Championships held in Ulm 2008.

Click PLAY or watch Marcela on YouTube.

Here she is at the Gala at that same Worlds.

Marcela started in classical ballet at age-4. Has many years of rhythmic dance and jazz dance training. And Capoeira, of course.

The new look National Gymsports Championships is underway at Mystery Creek, Hamilton. Early signs are that Canterbury will dominate the junior Artistic Gymnastics events and they have already taken the Level 4 in both Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. Tumbling as proved a spectator hit with New Zealand Indo Pacific athletes, Campbell Main (Counties Manuaku) and Kieran Growcott (Canterbury) thrilling the audience with speed and power.

Hawkes Bay/Poverty Bay had an excellent first day in the synchronsized Trampoline events with pairs Scott Tallot/Sam Tallott and Anastasia Smith/Chivaun Broderick taking titles in the 13/14 years.

Rhythmic Gymnastics Level 8, 9 and 10 has started with stiff opposition from the visiting Australian athletes. Otago gymnasts Brooke Hastie and Gabriella Garcia put on an excellent performance in the Ribbon apparatus with 1st and 2nd place.

Monday 29th is the start of the Aerobic event with World Number 3, Angela McMillan performing for the first time this year in New Zealand. …

Canterburys Analise Borkus

some results are linked from the GymSports New Zealand home page.

Good luck to all my New Zealand friends.

2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, 26th – 30th September 2008, Hamilton, New Zealand

GymSports New Zealand

capnemofromrus from Russia has posted over 700 sport aerobics videos on YouTube.

One series includes elements from their code of points.

Quality is good. Check a sample: A256 – Flair on YouTube

If you want to see more, browse the hundreds of clips on the capnemofromrus YouTube channel.

Related: Archive for the ‘aerobics’ Category

Though the Olympics are wonderful, I don’t think much of the IOC. One of the least democratic organizations in the world, it badly needs reform.

I disagree with those like Brian Martin who want to abolish the Olympics altogether. But everyone needs to pressure the IOC to improve.

Alternatives to the Olympics should be encouraged too. The X Games have potential and problems.

I was unhappy when the Goodwill Games were cancelled after 2001.

And what about the biggest alternative of all — The World Games?

The World Games, first held in 1981, are an international multi-sport event, meant for sports that are not contested in the Olympic Games. …

Some of the sports that were on the program of the World Games eventually made it as Olympic sports (such as triathlon) or have been Olympic sports in the past (like tug of war). Participation in past World Games is included in the evaluation criteria used to select new Olympic sports adopted by the IOC on August 12, 2004. However, with the current position of the IOC to limit the Olympic Games to 10,500 participants, it is unlikely than many of the World Games sports will be elevated to the Olympic sports.

World Games – Wikipedia

Sports (sometimes) included are: Synchronized trampoline, Tumbling, Sport aerobics, Sports acrobatics, Individual rhythmic gymnastics, Artistic roller skating, Wakeboarding and some martial arts.

Organizers of the next World Games, Taiwan 2009 have posted a somewhat goofy promotional video.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

World Games – official website

The 2006 Women’s Individual World Champion in Aerobic Gymnastics is Marcela Lopez of Brazil.

I am always blown away by this sport. The extreme fitness and high energy is impressive. And what is about Brazil that they develop so many high level acrobatic athletes?

competition photos – Volker Minkus, FIG

Click PLAY to see Marcela’s routine in finals or watch it on YouTube.

Interview with Marcela Lopez (ML) who trains about 25hrs / week:

IAF HQ: Tell us about your exercise history …

ML: “I have always practiced many sports, for example: from age four to seven years old, I was part of a group called COD (a groups of sport orientation) where I basically initiated my “sportive” life.

I learned a little about everything related to sports. From age seven to 10, I practiced classical ballet , jazz dance, and rhythmic gymnastics (GR), in addition to the sports played in school like volleyball and handball.

Since the age of 10, I found myself in aerobics. It was then that I quit rhythmic gymnastics; however, I continued with ballet and with jazz dance. At age 14, I stopped jazz and graduated from ballet. I stopped ballet at age 15, but I today I continue dancing in shows and presentations.

I later I got into “Capoeira”, a sport that I practise until today along with the sportaerobics.”

read the full interview – IAF Sport Aerobics

Amazing images including composite photo of the fantastic Bateau act (combination of parallel bars with horizontal bars) from Cirque du Soleil’s O.

This is done high in the air.

Sean Townsend

Tobey Gifford (aerobics)

more Schatz photos