Author: Rick Mc

Jiang Yuyuan – official website (English)

This was put together by the same people who do Yang Yilin’s official website (English).

The Trying Times of Ksenia Afanasyeva

Siberia’s Gymnastics treasures

The Italian PowerHouse – Erika Fasana

Dory Dynna: Gymnastics Portraiture

Malaysian Head Coach – Nataliya Sinkova

British gymnast Danusia Francis

NCAA VS Elite

Forminte: Romania’s Whipping Boy?

things to look forward to at the upcoming US Nationals

Quiz – test your gymnastics knowledge

The Couch Gymnast – Issue #4

Decided by comments on this video → vote for the winning release move.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Of course I voted for #2, perhaps the best Ray II release I’ve ever seen.

That’s Alaina Johnson of Texas East – who tied for 1st All Around Senior D.

Click through to Gymnastike to see her Bars from J.O. Nationals 2010.

Don’t watch this video for technique. These guys were out for one-upmanship with the camera rolling.

Texans messin’ in Houston.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The blonde nutcase is Brenden McAleavey.

Here’s his youtube channel – mcadog7

Linked by Fabian Hambuechen via Andreu Vivó on Facebook.

… a great celebration on GBR success at euros, and the improvement of GB gymnastics as a whole. …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Gymtage: The Best in Gymnastics Montages)

When I was a young coach I was much impressed when Dave Copeland made a “spotting belt” out of a pair of blue jeans.

He and I ran down an outdoor runway at gym camp, and spotted a Tsuk (very effectively) by each of us holding on to a leg of the jeans.

Here’s a gymnast using a spare pair of shorts in place of tumbling handcuffs.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Thanks Kevin Chope for the video.

Dwight Normile informs there’s still hope for Cal Men’s Gymnastics:

… “No announcement has been made about program cuts here at Cal,” said head coach Barry Weiner (shown here), who just completed his 19th season with the Golden Bears. “However, with the poor economic climate in the state of California, our athletic director, Sandy Barbour, has clearly stated nothing is off the table, including program cuts. Therefore, the Cal men’s gymnastics family is asking for letters of support.”

… The cuts are slated for late July or early August. If you are a supporter of Cal gymnastics—or simply a supporter of gymnastics—log on to calgymnasticsforever.com to see how you can help. It would be a shame to lose a program that enhances both the NCAA and USA Gymnastics. …

read more on IG –
Stretching Out: Cal’s Precarious Future & an Update From Romania

From keego666:

I don’t think coaches get enough credit for all the support and hard work that goes into training a gymnast! So this is kinda about how they pull them through! I heard this song and was like ‘I MUST MONTAGE THIS’ haha Miley Cyrus is becoming my guilty pleasure! …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The next time you have trouble finding motivation to get out and exercise, think of these guys.

This is the story of Dick & Rick Hoyt, the most inspirational father and son team to race in an Ironman.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

… Team Hoyt began in 1977 when Rick became inspired by an article on racing he saw in a magazine. Dick Hoyt was not a runner and was nearly 37 years old. After their first race Rick said, “Dad, when I’m running, it feels like I’m not handicapped.” After their initial five mile run, Dick began running every day with a bag of cement in the wheelchair because Rick was at school and studying, unable to train with him.” As of February 2008, the Hoyts had competed in 958 endurance events, including 65 marathons and six Ironman triathlons. They had run the Boston Marathon 25 times.

They also compete in triathlons in which Dick pushes Rick for the foot race, then with Rick sitting in a boat for the swim portion, Dick pulls him with a rope attached to his body. For the cycle portion of the triathlon, Rick rides on the front of a specially designed tandem bike …

That’s another fantastic link from Sport At Its Best – Team Hoyt

Linked by Brett MacAulay on Facebook.

I needn’t have concerned myself that the Acrobatic Gymnasts couldn’t be monetized:

Britain’s Got Talent’s Spelbound have seen their earnings soar since winning Simon Cowell’s TV talent contest.

Sources told a Sunday newspaper that the gymnastic troupe are now earning £2,000 per minute for performing their dazzling routines.

Insiders told the News of the World that Spelbound are currently charging £30,000 ($44,180) for a 15-minute corporate performance. …

Britain’s Got Talent: Spelbound are earning big money