Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.

Joanne Bowers to San José

Congratulations.

the Katelyn Ohashi story

… What’s different between now and then?

“I’ve discovered things from being severely injured, to having gymnastics being taken away from me, and I realized this isn’t forever,” she says.

“When I was in elite, [I was] living in black and white, whereas now I feel like I live more in full color.” …

How Katelyn Ohashi Rediscovered Gymnastics on Her Own Terms

The athlete on the satisfying differences between collegiate and elite gymnastics.

Italy wins Jr Europeans

1. Italy 161.063
2. Russia 160.363
3. GBR 158.931
4. ROU 154.862
5. FRA 154.729
6. BEL 154.231
7. GER 152.897
8. UKR 151.796

Full results.

Two fantastic teams fought it out for Gold. Two great performances.

By the numbers Russia was the favourite.

Russian Juniors Fighting for Ninth Consecutive Euros Team Title

Watching podium training I felt Italy looked more confident. Aggressive. Tough.

It was close coming down to Italy’s last apparatus. With 3 double twisting vaults, very well executed, Italy took the historic title.

I congratulated Italian Head Coach Enrico Casella. He was very happy. Looking forward to challenging for Tokyo 2020.

GBR thrilled the large, young home audience hitting 16/16 to take team Bronze. This meet was the big goal of their Junior program. Mission accomplished. 🙂

One huge highlight of the day was Romania’s 4th place finish. Nobody has much faith these days. The girls proved everyone wrong. Congratulations.

Antonia Duta missed a foot on Beam double back dismount, landing badly. Happily she is OK.

Denisa Golgota is as talented as any Junior in Europe. Keep her healthy and happy. Keep them all healthy and happy.

related – Bea Gheorghisor posted her feelings on the 12th place finish of the Romanian senior team, the first time they’ve ever not qualified to the 8 team final.

France did look fantastic too. Great potential. Well coached.

The junior competition itself was much better than I expected. Fewer falls than in podium training. The majority of these young women handled the pressure of the big stage.

European Jr Champion Giorgia VILLA

Giorgia VILLA ITA 55.065
Amelie MORGAN GBR 53.832
Kseniia KLIMENKO RUS 53.532
Asia D’AMATO ITA 52.632
Phoebe JAKUBCZYK GBR 52.366
Elisa IORIO ITA 52.299
Olga ASTAFEVA RUS 52.199
full results

Amelie Morgan GBR – Beam

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

There are more high quality videos of the British Jr. girls on the BGtv YouTube channel.

I congratulated British coach David Kenwright on the good performance today. They hit 16/16. The strategy worked. Go clean with less difficulty. And hit.

Half way through the meet GB ranks third behind ITA and RUS.

Belgium withdraws from EUROs team final

Google Translate:

“… coaches, medical staff and team leader … has decided after mutual consultation … with the gymnasts not to participate in the team final which will be held on Saturday, August 4 …”

Worlds and Apparatus Finals are higher priorities. They have only 4 gymnasts, not 5. Sounds like putting 3 gymnasts up on Floor might be a medical risk.

Whatever the reasons, we have to respect the decision. I’m sure they’d love to compete team finals if it was safe.

Italy (9th) confirmed that they would compete. Their squad is also depleted after Sofia Busato suffered a probable ACL tear on — where else — Vault landing in competition. Head Coach Enrico Casella said he’d tell the team to have fun. And do their best.

Scott Bregman to @OlympicChannel

For reasons never made clear, Scott Bregman was let go by USAG. He was one of their best and most popular employees bringing us excellent video via YouTube.

He’s moved on to a better place where the Olympic Games never end