tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
Recently I criticized these devices. Saying they quickly “break” … only useful as firewood.
But Jie Wang at Exalta Gymnastics Red Deer told me his from Gaofei works perfectly. Very durable.
One small problem — the tallest boys have trouble using it. On the other hand, the tallest boys no longer need this device.
Leave a comment if you’ve an opinion.
Did you know that the 1984 Olympic silver medalist completed an Ironman?
Blythe Lawrence:
… he serves as chairman of USA Gymnastics’ board of directors. He was appointed Chef de Mission for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, but resigned when it became known he had participated in anti-gay marriage demonstrations. Vidmar, who is Mormon, said he never tried to hide his beliefs, and noted in the press that “no one has ever accused me of insensitivity.”
Vidmar recently completed his first Ironman Triathlon, accompanying his oldest son, Tim, who is named after his 1984 teammate, NBC commentator Tim Daggett. (Daggett reciprocated by naming his oldest son Peter.) “That was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Vidmar said of the Ironman. “It was brutal. But I finished and that was very satisfying, and I think I want to do another one.” …
His daughter Emily will compete for BYU starting this fall.
Injured out of the Olympics is the most exciting gymnast in the world, to me, Christine Peng Peng Lee.
Her most thrilling sequence is the full run into front half on Beam. On to the VERY END of the Beam. There’s a good one at 3min 15sec.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Love the James Blunt.
In training she sometimes connects Back Tuck from the front half. Gainer Back Tuck!
… I’ve got a feeling that UCLA is going to be my favourite team for the next 4yrs. 🙂
related –
Tom Burgdorf on Facebook – A Standing Ovation For The Non Olympians
Bruno Grandi – “… spare a thought for those who will not be present at London 2012 … ”
Andy Thornton:
I feel like of all thirty male and female gymnasts who competed in these Trials, Alicia Sacramone was dealt the worst hand. She did absolutely everything she could have possibly done, showing Olympic-medal caliber vaulting and team finals-worthy beam work under the most pressure imaginable. She placed in the top two on the best team in the world on half of the women’s events and wasn’t even given one of three available alternate spots on this Olympic team. There’s just something that doesn’t feel right about that.
A Week Later…Did The U.S. Selection Committees Get It Right?
Perhaps she’ll be called in last minute. What a story that would be.
UPDATE: One commenter says that her name had to be on the “official list” given to IOC on Monday. It’s too late now for Alicia to replace one of the official alternates.
Alicia’s busy in any case, having just joined Jordyn as a “Brand Ambassador” for AAI. They’re both P&G Beauty Ambassadors already.
One of the most marketable American gymnasts, for sure.
Here’s the Beam routine (VIDEO) Marta doesn’t need in London.
related:
• Alicia Sacramone: US Olympic Gymnastics Team Needed Her Experience in London
Sports Illustrated:
… Her name is so unknown that American journalists are divided on how to spell it. Olympic buffs know little about her outside of statistical accomplishments — three Olympic Games, 18 medals, nine of them gold. …
That is likely to change as Bob Costas and NBC’s swimming crew will surely mention Larisa (or Larissa or Larysa) Latynina on prime-time broadcasts throughout the first few days of the London Olympics and especially on July 31, the likely date Michael Phelps will win his 19th career Olympic medal, breaking the record set by the balletic Soviet gymnast 48 years ago. …
She’s met Phelps. And hopes to be on hand to celebrate him breaking her record. If he does.
Aunt Joyce recommended this interview. It’s got some fascinating historical insights:
… She then competed at the 1958 world championships in Moscow while four months pregnant. She didn’t tell a soul she was expecting, fearful she would be forced to sit out.
“How did it affect my performance?” Latynina asked. “Well, as one could tell I did OK,” she said, smiling. “I won.” …
read more on SI – With her all-time record set to fall, little-known Latynina looks back
The Chinese Olympic Team is now complete with the addition of 2008 gold medalist He Kexin in the fifth and final spot. He was only just officially named to the team over Beijing teammate Jiang Yuyuan and 2011 World Championships teammate Tan Sixin …
Deng Linlin
He Kexin
Huang Qiushuang
Sui Lu
Yao Jinnan…and the alternates:
Jiang Yuyuan
Tan Sixin
I’m surprised.
Surprised they named a specialist.
Surprised they have the confidence that she’ll hit under Olympic pressure. Her record in big meets since winning the 2008 Olympics is not good.
Surprised they are willing to have the media dredge up her age controversy from 2008.
What do you think, Bela?
Aug 2008 – Daniel Poon – How to prove He Kexin’s Scandalous Real Age?
Update from Blossom:
… The coaches keep mentioning on their Weibo that the Olympic line-up can be changed 24 hours prior to the competition. Which makes me wonder how consistent is He Kexin’s bars really… ? …
Click PLAY or watch one of her recent routines on YouTube.
Have you seen Dominique Moceanu’s sister? She’s an amazing athlete.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I’m inspired.
Mail Online – Pictured: Olympic star Dominique Moceanu’s secret sister who was given up by parents after she was born with no legs
Maximum difficulty scores of the top two Romanian all-arounders in any one competition in 2012. Larisa has the 5th highest in the world. Sandra, shockingly, the 14th highest. The comeback queen.
1 IORDACHE Larisa ROU
Vault 5.8 + 9.250 = 15.050
Bars 6.1 + 8.450 = 14.550
Beam 6.7 + 9.250 = 15.950
Floor 6.3 + 9.000 = 15.300
24.90 ~ 60.850
2 IZBASA Sandra ROU
Vault 6.1 + 9.000 = 15.100
Bars 5.8 + 8.150 = 13.950
Beam 5.9 + 9.100 = 15.000
Floor 6.1 + 9.000 = 15.100
23.90 ~ 59.150
Those numbers come from the results (PDF) of the competition held this past weekend in Bucharest. Posted by RomGym.ro.
Exactly as Albert posted them earlier today.
I’d love to see Larisa upgrade the dismount line and win the Olympics on Floor with this routine.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Obviously, that wasn’t 9.0 execution, however. This score, at least, was inflated at least 0.5.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 