Month: September 2019

Yeo Seojeong – Handspring front double twist

She put two of these on her feet in podium training. I think she’ll land it.

#respect

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

California: College athletes can be paid 2023

Scholarship athletes are already paid to compete NCAA.

What we are talking about here is allowing the best to negotiate to be paid more. 

Defying the NCAA, California’s governor signed a first-in-the-nation law Monday that will let college athletes hire agents and make money from endorsements — a move that could upend amateur sports in the U.S. and trigger a legal challenge.

Under the law, which takes effect in 2023, students at public and private universities in the state will be allowed to sign deals with sneaker manufacturers, soft drink makers or other businesses and profit from their images, names or likenesses, just like the pros. …

The new law applies to all sports, though the big money to be made is in football and basketball. It bars schools from kicking athletes off the team if they get paid. …

But while the NCAA is the top governing body for college sports, membership is voluntary. If the California schools are forced out, they could form a new league. …

The NCAA does let some athletes accept money in some instances. Tennis players can accept up to $10,000 in prize money per year, and Olympians can accept winnings from their competitions. Plus, schools in the big “Power 5” conferences can pay players yearly cost-of-living stipends of between $2,000 and $4,000.

The NCAA reported $1.1 billion in revenue in 2017.

ADAM BEAM

For example, here’s what Katelyn Ohashi thinks about the issue.

Nina Derwael – Bars

Here’s the defending World Champ in podium training. Her Team Belgium looks ready to contend for one of the top 12 Olympic team spots.

Note that GymCastic is back uploading speedy videos to YouTube as they did in 2017.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

USAG team selection transparency

Good job.

As with their Men’s team, USAG circulated minutes of the 2019 World Championships Athlete Selection Committee Meeting from September 23, 2019.

I wish, Canada, by comparison, did the same thing. Every nation should do so.

That said, many — including Spencer — are questioning the logic of leaving behind one of their highest Bars scores — Morgan Hurd.

With Riley out, USA is least deep on Bars.

 

 

 

Worlds Stuttgart 2019 venue

Stuttgart has hosted many BIG competitions. They know how to do it.

So far I’ve heard mostly good feedback. The training halls are great, for example.

Spieth Floor looks very springy.

Here’s an aerial photo of the venue.

Click for larger version.

Faith Torez – standing full

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

Hambüchen has something to say

With Worlds in Germany I expect we’ll be hearing a lot from Fabian.

“The general problem is that there is next to no incentive to pursue a career as a coach in German gymnastics. …

Todays generation of up-and-comers has a different mindset than we did. I always had an eagerness and drive as a 15- or 16-year old to overtake my elder sportsmen and be better. In many, I don’t see that anymore. The certain edge and passion is missing. …”

HAMBÜCHEN: TO THE NEW GENERATION, THE INSTAGRAM STORY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE TRAINING

Fabian

related – Fabian is still training for fun and fitness. And still looks great.

LIVE from Worlds – day 1 podium training

Podium training for WAG has begun in Stuttgart. I’ll be commenting LIVE via Twitter @GymCoaching. More LIVE coverage:

It was a pretty good day overall. Blythe Lawrence feels form has steadily improved since the introduction of the open ended code in 2006.  Many times at Worlds podium training in the past I’ve been terrified — worried about injury — when gymnasts are competing skills not yet ready enough. I didn’t have any scary moments today.

  • Yamilet Peña warmed up two Handspring double fronts on Vault. Both safe. Neither close to landing. She fell on double front on Floor, as well. She’s obviously not at 100%.
  • watch for the Belgium Floor choreography. Very entertaining. In fact the team has a good vibe. They could certainly qualify for Tokyo with a hit qualification round.
  • Yeo Seojeong landed two Handspring front layout double twists! I’d argue that’s even more difficult than Simone’s half-on Handspring front layout double twist.
  • North Korea still NOT wearing handguards on Bars. Like Chuso. One has the tiny grips made of athletic tape.
  • Germany often slides a landing mat in for Bars releases, in case of fall. Seems a better technique than hand spotting in most cases.
  • Fujitsu is scanning all gymnasts (unless they opt out) in multiple poses in an open area with quite a few people around. I assume they are being very careful with privacy and transparency.
  • Simone will have a Press Conference Tuesday. Because she’s Simone. Also, the general public can watch American podium training Tuesday for 10 euros. Because they are USA.
  • Is Romania back? I was really impressed with the quality of the Beam work. Especially the leaps & jumps. (Wolf turns … not so much.) Most expect the perennial podium team not to qualify in the top 12. But they certainly could make Tokyo with a good meet in qualifications.
  • the final rotation day 1 included Canada and China. Very entertaining. Canada was very good, but struggled a bit on Bars. China impressed me more than any other team today — they’ve really improved tumbling and vault. I’d agree with the mob that Team China is silver medal favourite.
  • the big screen — essential since Glasgow Worlds — is epic in Stuttgart

MORE

Giant 1 & 1/2 in handstand

Addison Fatta

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.