Year: 2016

Jessie Graff crushes Ninja Warrior

After taking circus classes at age 6 and performing in her basement for neighbors, Graff started catching other kids on the flying trapeze when she was only 12.

“The rule was I wasn’t allowed to catch anyone who outweighed me by more than 20 pounds,” she says.

After that, she did competitive gymnastics for 6 years, pole vaulted through high school and college, and earned black belts in Taekwondo and Kung Fu since then.

Now that she’s a stuntwoman who does everything from tumbling on Make It or Break It, to trampolining on Another Period and “anything on rooftops, sides of buildings or bridges, dramatic wipeouts,” she says she’s constantly learning from fellow stunt people who specialize in areas different from her own. …

How ‘Supergirl’ stuntwoman Jessie Graff just made ‘Ninja Warrior’ history

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

Dutch Beam in Rio

Anchored by the eventual Champion Sanne Wevers, Netherlands had the 2nd highest team score on this apparatus.

Click PLAY or watch Olympic prelims on Vimeo.

Dutch coach Patrick Kiens presented at Ontario Congress just after the Olympics. (Netherlands beat Canada in prelims as a team by 0.2)

He feels the much acclaimed Dutch choreography on Beam is reminiscent of the Soviets from the 1988-92 cycle. More continuous movements, more interesting and artistic elements. An era when Beam choreography was more important.

If your gymnasts can do high level elements like Illusion and multiple turns, it’s smart coaching to use those in preference to risky tumbling sequences that require more pounding.

diversity can be unifying

Miss Val:

… (UCLA) is like the United Nations.”

Danusia: Jamaican and Polish, looks Black but has blond hair.
Sadiqua: Black with a mohawk.
Sophina: Puerta Rican and Black with died blue hair.
Peng: Chinese Canadian with her traditional elegant bun.
Angi: Hispanic
Mikaela: One of the few blond Anglo-Saxons.

He said, “I’m not talking about how they look. I’m talking about how you encourage them to develop and celebrate their own personal style.”

“Your team proves that celebrating diversity can actually be unifying versus divisive.” …

The Power of a Mohawk

SadiquaBynum

UCLA was the most entertaining team for me last season. I believe they’ll be even stronger this year.

Simone and social media

Many Olympians in Rio had problems with social media. It seemed they’d not had training in how to manage stalkers, hecklers, etc.

It did go well for Simone Biles.

You don’t have to engage with those who try to bring you down.

When commentator Al Trautwig tweeted that Simone’s parents are not her parents (apparently because he doesn’t understand the concept of adoption…or much about gymnastics but I digress…).  Her response was a perfect eight words:

“My parents are my parents and that’s it.”

When called the “next Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt,” her response was a simple “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I’m the first Simone Biles.” …

That comes from an excellent post – A DOZEN LIFE LESSONS TO LEARN FROM SIMONE BILES

Aimee Boorman moving to EVO in Florida

Details on People magazine. Ignore the sensational title of that post.

Her husband was offered a job in Florida and the family decided to move.

I’m sure these two will be very close for life.

Building a Rec Boys Gymnastics Program

by site editor Rick McCharles

Many excellent girls Gymnastics clubs underserve boys in their market. Brothers are sitting in the parents seating area – restless – waiting on sisters. That’s a waste.

The best boys Gymnastics clubs have as high a ratio as 1 boy for every 3 girls. That kind of ratio is possible.

Ashwad Springer

First priority for boys coaches is increasing the base. Increasing the numbers of boys trying Gymnastics and other acrobatic sports.

Once in the Gym many will find they like the sport. It’s FUN. Keep it FUN.

have fun

Boys love Games, Contests and Challenges. Most boys love height and flight. Excitement.

rope block tower

Once hooked on the sport, next priority is improvement of Physical (Endurance, Stringy, Power, Flexibility, etc.) and Motor (Agility, Balance, Coordination, Spatial awareness, etc.) fitness.

Skills are lower priority than for girls the same age.

Role models are important for boys. It’s important coaches and the eldest and most advanced boys in the club be leaders.

Clubs who do want to increase the size and quality of the boys Recreation program have two major problems:

  • hiring competent, experienced men’s coaches
  • getting boys into the gym to give it a go

There are far fewer boys coaches available than girls coaches. Some serious effort may be required to recruit and train boys Rec coaches.

In 2016 Parkour / Ninja classes are very popular with boys. Boys parents are very keen to keep their sons doing Parkour safe.

Once in the Gym some of those Ninja boys will get interested in the Artistic competitive apparatus.

I like “bring-a-friend” day, as well. Check the insurance implications of bringing in a friend to your Gym.

rope swing

related – Gymnastics Ontario Congress 2016 – BUILDING A RECREATIONAL BOYS PROGRAM – presentation notes PDF

(via Rec Gymnastics)

2017 European Championships Romania

Despite a disappointing Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Romanian veterans Cătălina Ponor and Marian Drăgulescu aren’t planning on retiring any time soon. Their immediate goal is next year’s European Championships, taking place April 19-23 in Cluj-Napoca.

The duo told Romanian media they have their sights set on continuing toward the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, which would be Ponor’s fourth Olympic appearance and Drăgulescu’s sixth. …

IG

2017 European Championships

Are the figures on the numbers inspired by Nadia and Marius Urzica?

papaliukin

Margarita Mamun’s father died

😦

Margarita “Rita” Mamun is our individual Rhythmic Olympic champion.

On 26 August 2016, Rita’s father Abdullah passed away after battling with cancer for the last few months, he died bed ridden at their home Friday afternoon (Moscow time), just 6 days after she won gold at the Olympic Games.

father

related – Rhythmic gymnastics: Mamun hails victory for ‘two countries’

Acrobatic Gymnastics added to Youth Olympics

Acro was accepted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board as a new discipline for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games at the board’s recent meeting in Rio de Janeiro (BRA). The third edition of the Youth Olympic Games will be held October 1-12, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

FIG

Brit Acrobats