Year: 2011

A career retrospective. The editor, his brother Morgan, asks that you link to the video if you support Paul Hamm.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Comments are disabled on YouTube. Instead comment on a Chalk Bucket forum thread. Or a Chalk Bucket blog post.

… Some feel Paul made a mistake. And that he should be given a chance to move on.

I’d feel that way too if he apologized, and accepted his punishment. He hasn’t done so yet. And it won’t happen until he fights the court case.

… “We will fight the criminal charges vigorously,” said Michael J. Smith, Hamm’s attorney. …

Regardless of what happens in court, his reputation will be further tarnished. Instead of being remembered as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, it’s the scandals we’ll recall.

What a shame.

_____ Update:

… In light of all the controversy that surrounds the Ohio State football team’s NCAA compliance issues, the decision to fire Hamm was understandable. …

Many of his fans are expecting a contrite public apology soon, and they are also hoping that Hamm will use this unfortunate experience to launch into a vengeant training mode, wherever that might be. …

Stick It Media

I’d heard the rumour. Our Olympic Floor Champion is training Bars again. (She had dropped that apparatus after 2008.)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Izbasa unveiled the routine at the SUI vs ROM vs GER friendly.

Carolowa on the IG forum via Gymwatcher:

… Sandra finally competed on bars (13.20) and wasn’t too bad (all though her coach might have touched her on her dismount) but she didn’t compete floor and only did a FTY, but I think Belu is just saving her for worlds. …

Even Izbasa feels she needs to be able to do all apparatus before the rules change to teams of only 5 in 2012.

Ponor is still not competing Bars.

(via Couch Gymnast)

Coach Howard has the best write-up I’ve ever seen on a problem that plagues all “ability level” competitive structures.

Coaches competing kids in a lower level than their actual ability group in order to WIN.

In this article, he talks about the Jr Olympic WAG program:

… While the USA Gymnastics minimum for moving up is a 31.0 All-Around, USAG will never mandate moving up gymnasts with any score for liability reasons. …

The Gyms and Coaches, Actually Doing This, are the Culprits

The responsibility for this is squarely on the shoulders of the gym(s) and coaches that are engaging in this practice. I have never heard any justification for sandbagging that rings true. It is obvious that they are simply trying to stack the deck, so their gymnasts can win, by holding them back …

read more on Gymnastics Zone – The Unethical Practice of Competitive Sandbagging

He singles out the Judges Cup meet each year as being the most conspicuous example.

We can all name coaches who we consider most guilty of sandbagging. But most gyms have some kids competing a level lower than they might for one reason or another.

Parents and kids understand the problem.

MostepanovaFan

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I finally saw the film Black Swan.

Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.

Very well done. But terrifying. High performance dance leads to mental illness.

It’s called a psychological thriller. But if you don’t like horror movies, skip it.

Commonwealth Youth Games podium for the all-around:

1. Dominick Cunningham (England)
2. Jay Thompson (England)
3. Harry Owen (Wales)

full MAG AA results

Gold medal for Wales.

1. Angel Romaeo (Wales)
2. Brittany Robertson (New Zealand)
3. Abi Caig (England)

full WAG AA results

(via Couch Gymnast)

Since I’ve linked to Angel already this weekend, instead enjoy this photo of the lovely Brittany Robertson.

That photo we first saw in a Couch Gymnast interview with her Mom.

Britanny’s goal is to represent NZ at the Commonwealth Games, Worlds and the Olympics. So far, so good.

I can’t get enough of these Lighthouse Film Company gymnastics videos.

This is the first of many teasers to promote the film of the amazing gymnastics event, Evolution.

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.

What’s the next step in the evolution of Evolution?

Is there a way to make ‘professional gymnastics’ profitable for promoters?

I’m assuming they’d need a title sponsor or a TV deal.

GymnasticsEvolution.com

Robert DiVincenzo is a Cheer coach and self-taught tumbler with excellent physical ability. You might have seen him in Bring It On: In It to Win It.

He put this fun video together to showcase his skills. And to inspire others to follow their dreams, regardless of age, sex, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, social class, sport, etc.

It worked for him.

The DiVo I want you to know, this time I’m ready to show…

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Cheerleading not only changed my life, but it also saved my life. Thank you to everyone who has given me the opportunity to shine and reveal my passion for this incredibly unique sport.

Thanks Rob.

“When you have the strength to believe in who you are, you hold the key to your destiny.”

Tina Rand was a high level gymnast as a teenager, but dropped the sport until age-28 when she decided to go back to Adult Recreation class.

… Now at age 42, she is competing at Level 9 in USA gymnastics …

Tina lives in the Annapolis, Maryland area with her husband of 18 years and has two beautiful boys, ages 4 and 7. …

read more

(via Rec Gymnastics)