… Acrobatic Gymnastics has been withdrawn from the competition program of the 2010 Pacific Rim Championships due to only two countries entering teams into the event …
These days my favourite form of competitive gymnastics is Acro. What amazing things can the human body do without any apparatus?
I keep hearing that discipline is dying. But here’s some good news:
Never before seen as part of the program, Acrobatic Gymnastics will be a demonstration sport at this year’s Pacific Rim Championships. The world’s best acrobats will be on show from April 29 – May 2
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.
Japan has been doing male team performances like this for over 50yrs.
For the first time I found this Men’s Rhythmic Gymnastics website. It’s not kept updated, however.
Rhythmic Gymnastics is a competitive sport under the authority of F.I.G. (International Gymnastics Federation). Currently, only the women’s portion of rhythmic gymnastics is recognized by FIG – men’s rhythmic gymnastics is yet to get FIG approval. The possibilities and opportunities men’s rhythmic gymnastics presents are endless. It is up to each and everyone of us to work hard to make the dream a reality.
Shani Isseroff reminds us that European Championships is in progress right now in Portugal.
24th European Championships for Seniors and 8th European Championships for Juniors and 4th European Age Group Games in Acrobatic Gymnastics take place from 25th September to 4th October in Vila do Conde (POR).
Russia and Great Britain dominated the Age Group competition (11-16).
Shani points out that it’s not getting much coverage on either old media or the internet. Perhaps Senior finals will be interesting enough to generate some press.
Fact is, Acrobatic Gymnastics is my favourite gymnastics discipline. And there are no athletes more sought after for Circus jobs.
GymNiceTic covers Acrobatic Gymnastics.
FIG does a good job of providing an overview, but not much commentary:
… Some 422 gymnasts from 18 national federations will compete at the Acrobatic Gymnastics European Championships end of September and beginning of October in Vila Do Conde (POR) in the categories Women’s Pairs, Men’s Pairs, Mixed Pairs, Women’s Trios and Men’s Groups. …
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An article in the mainstream American media highlighting the excellent club in Livermore, California — the West Coast Training Center — that produces so many of the top Acrobatic gymnasts in the States.
… In acrobatic gymnastics, the gymnasts help each other perform balance and “flight skills” — or dynamics — as opposed to traditional gymnastics, which uses balance beams and other inanimate structures. The sport, which has been at a competitive level in the U.S. for more than 30 years, didn’t come under the USA Gymnastics umbrella until 2002, according to Marie Annonson, head coach and owner of West Coast Training Center.
Acro combines dance, gymnastics and acrobatic and tumbling skills. Performers have three different routines: “balance,” where the partners will hold positions for three seconds; “dynamic,” which involves flipping and throwing the person who is the “top;” and “combined,” which is performed only at the “elite” level and combines dynamic and balance routines. …
All Gymnastics, All the time covers most of the FIG competitive gymnastics sports.
In a year end round-up called The Good, The Bad, and the Okay … I’ll mention only those on the GOOD list:
Nastia Liukin.
Texas.
Marcela Lopez.
Corrie Lothrop.
Canadian trampoliners.
Eastern bloc rhythmic and acrobatic gymnastics.
Yevgeniya Kanaeva.
Japan and Australia. And even Brazil.
Inna Zhukova.
Belarus.
China.
At the age of 16 Shawn won nationals, trials, 3 olympic silver medals and a gold medal becoming a millionaire in the process. On what planet is that not a good year? I’m so sick of Nastia fan girls trying to diminish Shawn.
Obviously Shawn is not only one of the great success stories of 2008, but of the entire history of gymnastics. She and her coaches are role models for us all.
Sadly, when you are the Olympic favourite, a Silver medal seems a disappointment to many.
Olympic Champion Yevgeniya Kanaeva will be competing at the LA Lights competition in Los Angeles in January.
Meike Behrensen, F.I.G. Media Operations Coordinator, gave me a tour. 
