tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
Despite missing his Worlds Finals routine (perhaps the most ‘difficult’ of all time) and not qualifying for the Olympics as one of the top 3, Epke was still named the best of the Dutch sportsmen for the second time.
Click PLAY or watch that Cassina direct Kolman on YouTube.
Epke is in the London Test Meet in January with another chance to qualify through to Olympics.
(via GymPOWER)
… Flip, fly through the air and runout with the team from the perspective of an LSU Cheerleader …
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I was invited to attend the GAP (Gymnastics Association of the Philippines) Christmas Party.
It featured demos from MAG, WAG, Acrobatic, Rhythmic and Aerobic. Impressive.
The highlight for me was a contest I’d never seen before. Groups of kids were given a pie plate filled with flour. Winners were the group that could blow all the flour off the plate first.
My personal thanks to Secretary General Ms. Bettina Pou. Our Olympic Solidarity event would never have happened but for her efficient, energetic commitment to the project.
I love Christmas. But no nation loves Christmas more than the Philippines. They start festivities in September!
If you are ever visiting this tropical nation, let me know. They are happy to have visitors at the National Training Centre. I’ll introduce you.
Ksenia Afanaseva (RUS) scored 58.150 to win the 1st ever Mexican Open Gymnastics Championship.
Danell Leyva (USA) 89.350 was the MAG Champ and also won the All-round Pairs with partner Christine Peng Peng Lee (CAN).
Marta won’t send Americans even to Mexico. (sigh)
Nadia was there. Good crowd. A perfect event … aside from the Earthquake that rocked the house. No injuries.
Get a good look at the minimal tape grips used by Afanaseva on Bars. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
See more videos from Mexico on the Between the Olympics YouTube channel.
related:
• Examiner – Ksenia Afanasyeva, Danell Leyva take titles at Abierto de Gimnasia
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Jumpei Oka 88.600 won the Valeri Liukin Invitational and led team Japan to victory over a strong field.
Commentary and results on IG.
And in Tokyo Amanda Turner’s report is headlined Japanese Gymnasts Sweep Toyota Finals.
The host nation swept the remaining events Sunday as the Toyota International concluded, wrapping up a successful year of major events in Japan.
… The competition ended the year on a happy note for Japan, which suffered major tragedy in March with the massive earthquake and tsunami. The country was at risk for losing the world championships due to concern over radiation from damaged nuclear facilities, but staged a successful championships in Tokyo, where Uchimura became the first male gymnast to win a third world all-around crown. In addition to October’s worlds, Japan also played host to the Japan Cup in July, International Juniors in September and FIG World Cup in November.
She looks pretty good. I never doubted her comeback for a second. 🙂
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
She has a real shot at making the team. Top 2 highest start values on Bars are priority 1 and 2 for Marta. I expect those would be Nastia and Gabby. USA has a lot of depth to choose from on the other apparatus. Many good AAs.
There’s a long way to go yet, though. Nastia has to avoid injury too, of course.
And nobody has much confidence in that Bars dismount. I wish she’d go back to double layout.
(via Full Twist on Facebook)
Of particular interest are the Bar pads used.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
… personally, I’d try to skip the belt stage. Instead SPOT Flyaway to land on the feet on the Bar. Once that’s no big deal, the gymnast is psychologically ready. 🙂
On Tony’s new site Gym Momentum:
Injuries can range from as small as a rip to the obvious fractures and torn ligaments and ruptured tendons. Each athlete will deal with their injury differently. Some have a very high tolerance for pain while others have a relatively low threshold.
I have had gymnasts who when they ripped you would have thought that someone had taken a blow torch to their hand and other gymnasts who continued to work out on what we discovered was a broken bone in her ankle. …
Following an injury we all want the gymnasts to return to practice and be part of the group. It is good for their psychological state …
I like to see the girls back at their normal practice schedule even if hours are reduced. …
Injured athletes, if possible, should come to the gym each practice day, but stay only about half as long as the rest of their group. Do what they can still do — then go home.
One of the best things about the start of a new NCAA season is seeing the UCLA Floor choreography.
Miss Val is genius. And how hard could it be to choreography Mattie, one of the best Floor workers in the world in recent years.
Click PLAY or watch a dance through on YouTube.
It’s really difficult to tell on YouTube how that’s going to work LIVE. But I’ve got a strong feeling this will be one of the top routines in College.
Very original.
Aisha Gerber’s is original and excellent too. (VIDEO) Choreography that actually syncs with the music — what a concept. Aisha gets a thumbs up for Artistry from senior FIG Judge Avril Enslow.
Jessica Dowling on Facebook:
To the person that means the world to me.
I love you Vladi and I will always remember the good times we had together. You taught me so much and made me the gymnast I am today. This is a picture of one of my first shootovers, the skill we worked so hard on together!
I will never forget the movie we made on this skill and how proud we were of it! You are an amazing coach Vladi and you made times in the gym so much more fun. I will never forget the candy you used to sneak to us in between vaults and the stories you would share with us on bars.
I love you Vladi and you will always be in my heart!
Vladimir died of Cancer. He’s much missed by all his gymnasts past and present, and all in the coaching community. I appreciate Jessica putting it into words.
Funeral arrangements have been made …
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
6:00pm – 8:00pm
T. Little Funeral Home & Cremation Centre
223 Main Street
Cambridge, Ontario N1R 1X2
519-623-1290
Elvira has asked for privacy during her time of mourning.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 