Nastia Liukin Cup Series

Begins this weekend.

CGA Parents Club Coaches Spectacular, Covington, Ky., Jan. 13-15
Lady Luck Invitational, Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 20-22
The Atlanta Crown Invitational, Duluth, Ga., Jan. 20-22
Circle of Stars Gymnastics Invitational, Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 20-22
San Diego Classic, San Diego, Calif., Jan. 20-22
Wisconsin Dells Gymnastics Vacation Classic, Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Jan. 27-29
Parkettes Invitational, Allentown, Pa., Jan. 27-29
Pikes Peak Cup, Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 3-5
The Long Beach Open, Long Beach, Calif., Feb. 3-5
The 38th Annual Fiesta Bowl, Chandler, Ariz., Feb. 3-5
Charity Choice Invitational, Tacoma, Wash., Feb. 10-12
IGI Chicago Style, Chicago, Ill., Feb. 10-12
Glider Invitational, Ontario, Calif., Feb. 11-12
The Magical Classic, Orlando, Fla., Feb. 17-18
Buckeye Classic, Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 17-19
Presidential Classic, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Feb. 17-19
WOGA Classic, Frisco, Texas, Feb. 17-19
Arizona Sunrays Classic Rock Invitational, Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 17-19

The 2012 Nastia Liukin Cup will be televised live on Universal Sports. …

I love this program. Now in the 3rd year, it’s a great addition to the American calendar.

first Singapore Olympic gymnast

A small welcoming party of family and friends greeted gymnast Lim Heem Wei at Changi Airport last night on her return from London, where the 22-year-old carved her name in the Republic’s sporting annals.

Competing at the Visa International Gymnastics this week, a test event and final qualifier for the London 2012 Olympic Games, Lim clinched one of the spots for the top 30 individual finishers from countries that have not already qualified for the Games.

This meant that Lim became the first gymnast from Singapore to qualify for the Olympic Games and only one of two from South-east Asia who have confirmed their places in London. …

Today Online

I’m happy for Lim Heem Wei and Singapore, but be aware that London โ€” under the new selection criteria โ€” will be a much weaker field of athletes than was Beijing. Let’s (after the fact) do a statistical comparison of the range in scores from lowest to highest between a number of Olympics, including London.

Chinese coach on the venue

WANG (CHN) – WAG coach

On the venue:

“I think that the colours in the stadium are depressing. We see the Olympics as a celebration so I don’t like the black background. I also think the lights aren’t bright enough. In China, we train with brighter lighting. The girls also found the apparatus very hard as they are not used to the new French apparatus being used here.”

What’s the Mandarin translation of “sour grapes”?

China and Russia โ€” right now โ€” both wish they’d stayed home like Romania and U.S.A.

best Final – WAG Floor

Avril Enslow is one of the best and most experienced of the FIG judges. She called the Floor Final tonight perhaps the best she’d seen.

We’ll be arguing about this podium result for some time …

Womenโ€™s Floor
1. Vanessa Ferrari 14.400
2. Victoria Moors 14.200
3. Daiane dos Santos 14.066
3. Marine Brevet 14.066

Normally any one of those 4 routines would have won this meet. The big story, I think, is newcomer Victoria from Canada โ€” this routine is beloved by many. She’s the best medal hope Canada has for London. (routine from podium training here)

Victoria is coached by Elvira Saadi.

O2 – see you at the Olympics

OFFICIAL Day 2 FINALS RESULTS are posted

That’s it for Artistic and Trampoline. The Olympic Test meet has ended (though Rhythmic continues tomorrow).

But we’ll all be back at the O2 arena for Olympics 2012. I can hardly wait. It’s going to be epic.

Men’s Trampoline Results

1 DONG Dong CHN 110.479 Q
2 LU Chunlong CHN 109.270 Q
3 ITO Masaki JPN 108.790 Q

But who qualified one place for their nation to the Olympics today?

The places qualifying the NOCs for the Games are led by Canadaโ€™s Jason Burnett in fourth rank, followed by Diogo Ganchinho of Portugal, Blake Gaudry (AUS) and Henrik Stehlik (GER). The list of qualifiers will be officially confirmed shortly.

I heard GLUCKSTEIN will have earned one for USA. And assume that CANNONE will earn one for Italy.

details and link to results on FIG – Trampoline Gymnastics โ€“ Menโ€™s Competition

photo by Grace Chiu

day 2 Olympic Test meet begins

Download the start list (PDF) for the last session for Artistic in London.

FIG again is providing a LIVE stream on YouTube.

London has put on a great meet. I’ve heard very few complaints or issues. There have been injuries, but fewer than in the past (I think). … I’d like to see the FIG statistics on falls. There have been fewer than in the past, is my feeling.

Thanks to GYMNOVA for the excellent equipment.

GYMNOVA

CONGRATULATIONS to all the organizers.

full-time coach needed Saskatoon

The Taiso Gymnastics Club in Saskatoon Saskatchewan is looking for a full time Gymnastics Coach.

The Taiso Gymnastics Club is a non-profit organization that operates both co ed recreational and competitive menโ€™s gymnastics programs. The Taiso Gymnastics Club has been designated a Mens Artistic Gymnastics National Training Center

The Taiso Gymnastics Club is home to several National Athletes , four National Team members, the Junior Mens National Team Coach and 3 past Olympians.

Coaching experience and certification would be an asset, but not essential. The club would be willing to provide training for the right applicant for this position. The successful applicant would have the opportunity to mentor under Taisoโ€™s Head Coach who is also the National Junior Mens Artistic Gymnastics Coach.

Salary โ€“ negotiable depending on qualifications.

Mail resumes and copies of certification in confidence to:

Taiso Gymnastics Club
610 47th Street East
Saskatoon, SK S7K 5X3Sask.
S6V 5G3

Or E-mail in confidence to: office {a} taiso.ca

Rosie MacLennan GOLD Trampoline

Grace Chiu GraceClick on Facebook:

Trampoline GOLD for Rosannagh MacLennan! Excellent performances today. Dramatic finals finish as world champion & top qualifier He Wenna falls off.

1 Maclennan CAN
2 Lenders NED
3 Rente, POR

Rosie on whether she now expects to win Gold at the Olympics:


It will be tough. Unfortunate circumstances helped it happen today.
Everyone will be fighting for the top spot …

I congratulated coach Ken Soehn and Gymnastics Canada’s Traci House. They were happy with all the Canadian performances at the Test Event and feel on schedule for another successful Olympics.

Ken’s son, Keegan, who finished 13th here on Friday the 13th here says he needs a new tramp, identical to this one. ๐Ÿ™‚

Chinese coach says HE Wenna is OK. She was caught mid-air by the skillful, alert spotters โ€” but strained her elbow somehow. And some slight lower leg strain. We’ve got to get video of that catch. China owes those lads a pint each.

I’m a gymnast and I know it

9yr old gymnasts from New Jersey want to be the next John Orozco (VIDEO) ♪

CUTE.

Click PLAY or watch it on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/embed/ODYxNTY2NTcw?related=1