Author: Rick Mc

Great American Gymnastic Express.

Charmingly amateurish, here’s an entertaining way to show off gymnastics facilities. And promote club programs.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

You might be surprised to learn that consummate Elite WAG coach Al Fong is an enthusiastic booster of Men’s Gymnastics and Cheer. 🙂

… Following the first Olympic qualification trial held at the 2012 Australian Gymnastic Championships last week, a finalist squad of 12 has been selected to attend a pre-Olympic training camp and second round Olympic nomination competition at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, June 11-17. The final trial will occur at the camp, June 16 and 17.

Congratulations to selected athletes (in alphabetical order):

Georgia Bonora (VIC)
Ashleigh Brennan (VIC)
Georgia-Rose Brown (VIC)
Angela Donald (VIC)
Daria Joura (QLD)
Emily Little (WA)
Larrissa Miller (QLD)
Lauren Mitchell (WA)
Mary-Ann Monckton (VIC)
Chloe Sims (QLD)
Olivia Vivian (WA)
Georgia Wheeler (VIC)

Gymnastics Australia – WAG Olympic Squad announced

… West Australian gymnast Nikki Chung was forced to remove herself from selection after she sustained an injury to her the deltoid ligament in the ankle and a torn ACL in her knee during warm-ups of the first day of the Championships.

Victorian Zoe Lorenzin has withdrawn from Olympic selection as well, with a stress fracture of the navicula (bone in the foot) that was a diagnosed soon after the completion of the first trial. …

related – IG – Five Beijing Olympians in Contention for Aussie Squad

The best piece I’ve read on Shawn Johnson’s retirement was by Andy Thornton:

… when we heard yesterday’s announcement, many of us felt a sudden whirlwind of conflicting emotions – sadness, surprise, and disappointment…mixed with a sense of confirmation and closure…and muddled with an overall bit of confusion – all at the same time. Was there a hint of anger blended in as well? For many fans, I think so. …

… Shawn Johnson is a champion, and I have a great deal of admiration for her as both a gymnast and as a person. She’s been one of the most honest, upfront, and likeable American gymnasts in history, and it would have been a real treat to see her follow this second Olympic pursuit all the way through, regardless of how it ended. Many of us are disappointed to see her drop out of the mix, but at the same time respect her efforts in making what was a very impressive comeback to the most difficult sport in the world – after a two-year layoff and a very serious knee injury. ..

American Gymnast – Shawn Johnson’s Retirement…A Candid Reflection

I’m hoping she stays involved with Gymnastics the rest of her life. A terrific ambassador.

Also called Takamoto, Stoop-in Dislocate, Jam, etc.

Another awesome tutorial by Lee Woolls.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Obviously, there are physical prerequisites. 🙂

That’s posted on Gymnastics Planet.

Remember the name. A real talent. Age-11.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Score: 13.900 – Junior Division

(via Honey Boo Boo Child)

photo linked by International Gymnast Magazine on Facebook.

Check out Eleftherios Kosmidis‘ new ink, in honor of his floor exercise title at Europeans!

… what if he wins another major title? 🙂

Not her best routine. But easily good enough to win the friendly GB vs ESP vs FIN this weekend.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. 15.300

She only competed Bars. But here’s some VIDEO of a Floor dance through. Live and Let Die.

Results via Going for Gold.

BEAM
Celine Van Gerner (NED) 13.850
Katarzyna Jurkowska (POL) 13.725
Teja Belak (SLO) 13.600

FLOOR
Tina Erceg (CRO) 13.625
Marta Pihan-Kulesza (POL) 13.500
Lisa Top (NED) 13.400

VAULT
LIN Chaopan (16.275, 15.300) 15.787
Marek Lyszczarz (POL) (16.000, 15.350) 15.675
Tomi Tuuha (FIN) (15.850, 15.400) 15.625

PARALLEL BARS
Mitja Petkovsek (SLO) 15.275
WANG Peng (CHN); Adam Kierzkowski (POL) 15.150

HORIZONTAL BAR
Epke Zonderland (NED) 16.275
Marijo Moznik (CRO) 15.400
Maksym Semiankiv (UKR) 14.975
Kevin Lytwyn (CAN) 14.500

… Lytwyn falls short in bid for Canada’s lone Olympic berth in men’s gymnastics

More results on GYMMIN’ MIEL

Click PLAY or watch Epke’s 7.9 start on YouTube. Cassina-Kovacs-Kolman.

Is it safe to say that Zonderland and Van Gerner will be the Olympians representing Netherlands?

Thank you Shawn for everything you’ve contributed to the sport and for all the inspiration. You will always have the support of your fans no matter where life might take you next!

Twitter: @CSaccullo

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Examiner – Shawn Johnson announces retirement, won’t contend for 2012 Olympic team spot

@CSaccullo, aka iLITTER on YouTube, put together a tribute to Christine Peng Peng Lee:

Gymnastics needs you, get well soon and come back strong!

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

She’s the honorary captain of the Canadian Women’s Olympic Team to London, unable to compete due to ACL knee injury suffered at the National Championships last week.