tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
The Youth America Grand Prix.
First Position recently had its World Premiere at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival and was named the audience choice’s first runner up for Best Documentary.
Click PLAY or watch a Trailer on YouTube.
First Position is in theatres May 4th, 2012.
Lloyd:
… Remember the 2000 Olympic vault final? I do. A Huge amount of tension surrounded the apparatus following the height mishap in the All Around competition, adding extra excitement to wat was already a great showcase of talent.
The lineup was starstudded: lots of top all around competitors were present along with some wildcards like Laura Martinez, whose DTY had been super consistent during her stay in Sydney. There was a nice variety of vaults, high levels of execution, and the general feeling that the vault title was as prestigious and important as any other gold medal in the sport. …
read more – The E Panel – Crack open the vault
Click PLAY or watch Zamo win the 2000 Games on YouTube.
What’s happening in 2012?
Well over 90% of Vaults are Yurchenkos. Statistically they are over-valued compared with the other families.
Many of the best vaulters don’t try for finals. They don’t have time. Superseding priorities are Team and All-around.
That video was linked by Full Twist in a new feature — Gymnastics History: Olympic Champions – WAG Vault — nostalgic recollections.
I was so happy and surprised when Henrietta Onodi (HUN) shared the Gold in 1992.
Will changes in the 2013-2016 Code help?
I’m not yet convinced.
Canadian Jessica Savona signed with Louisiana State University starting September. She’ll be as big a star for the Tigers as one of my former gymnasts, Jennifer Woods.
Savona was recruited by famed Head Coach, D-D Breaux:
… already the most-tenured coach in LSU sports history, will complete her 35th season as the Tigers’ coach at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships beginning Friday in Duluth, Ga.
Yet Breaux, the mother of two and grandmother of two, has no plans of slowing down.“I still enjoy what I’m doing,” Breaux said. “I still come to work every day with an intensity and burning desire to make things better, and continue to push my team for excellence. …
“The most important part of that drive is I still enjoy the recruiting process,” she said. “When a coach stops enjoying it and no longer participates in the recruiting process, things go downhill.” …
NCAA College recruiters will be warmly welcomed in Regina, at the 2012 Canadian Championships. We’ve never had so many strong female gymnasts.
Ron Noe made the trip to Reno for Region 1 Men’s Gymnastics Championships 2012:
… The first day featured the Level 10 competition, followed by the next day’s Level 9 meet. Region 1 is unique in that they also stage an event finals competition among the top finishers in the optional ranks (levels 8-10). As it is at JO Nationals, it’s quite an achievement to earn a spot in event finals, where the competitors are announced right before they begin their routines. …
Ron is posting routines using TwitVid. This is the first time I’ve ever embedded one. Refresh your page if it doesn’t come to life first time.
http://www.twitvid.com/embed.php?guid=SLRE7&autoplay=0
Yet another terrific young American Pommel man. Sooner or later that apparatus is going to be strong for USA.
Personal shout out for my man Emyre Cole (Go For It) who won Level 10 (14-15) – 82.35
For more videos and results, go to Stick It Media – Region 1 Men’s Gymnastics Championships
After missing Championships last season, the girls of Stanford are feeling good.
Click PLAY or watch the team interviewed on YouTube.
We’ll never see Gabby in College. She’s gone Pro.
Shade Global, Sheryl Shade, Signs Representation Agreement With 2012 Olympic Gymnastics Hopeful Gabrielle Douglas …
They represent Shawn Johnson, Chow, Paul Hamm, Bela Karoli, Chellsie Memmel and many more.
Gymnastics Examiner linked to this fluff piece.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
(via Double Front on Facebook)
Grace Chiu GraceClick on Facebook:
A creative summary montage from the Brazil meet featuring moments of Ellie Black, Hugh Smith, Talia Chiarelli, Brittany Rogers, Dominique Pegg, Diego Matias Hypolito, Arthur Nabarrete Zanetti.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Grace is shooting at Acro Worlds in Florida, by the way. Photos.
… I’m pretty sure this is my Boys Under 10 Parallel Bar routine. From 1967.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Her “planche” is stronger, I admit.
That routine was featured on the Colbert Report, my favourite TV comedy.
Bad timing.
… he’s already on a big rehab programme and is working to try and qualify for the European Champs and hopefully to make the grade for the Olympic Games,’ said coach Paul Hall. …
But GBR has depth. They could still do well at Europeans without Dan starting each apparatus for them, as he did at the London Test Meet.
Opus Energy asked Dan what he most admires most about his team mates:
Louis Smith – he really knows how to handle pressure and nothing fazes him;
Reiss Beckford – really has the ‘wow’ factor with some amazing big skills;
Daniel Purvis – unbelievable work ethic, he just never stops;
Sam Hunter – dedicated to gymnastics and a true professional;
Kristian Thomas – also works unbelievably hard and has fantastic team spirit;
Theo Seagar – very powerful gymnast;
Ruslan Panteleymanov – this guy has awesome style and puts the artistic into gymnastics; and
Then there are Sam Oldham and Max Whitlock – both of them are young and very talented gymnasts who push the Senior Team every day. Two names to look out for in the future.
Israeli requires that their gymnasts confirm readiness to be sent to the Olympics by finishing top 12 AA at the European Championships 2012. Or top 6 in any apparatus final.
That’s confirmed by Valeria on this post:
… A bit about me
I’m Valeria Mksiota, 24 years old and I’m Artistic Gymnastic athlete. I started training when I was 5, and has been training for 20 years. I have dedicated my life to this sport and today I found myself only one small step from my biggest dream – the possibility to join Israel’s Olympic team and represent the country in London …
… In 2011, I won 27 medals in international competitions, 13 of them gold medals. …
That links to a training video. And a fund-raising request.
It would be a terrible shame if Valeria was not confirmed by Israel. She’s one of the most exciting gymnasts in the world.
Click PLAY or watch her Finals Beam from the London Test Event on YouTube.
I love her unique double front 1/1-out dismount on Bars.
related – Examiner – Israeli requirement puts Olympics in jeopardy for Maksyuta, Aronovich (Jan. 2012)
Thanks Maya.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 