From Andrew Thornton on his new American Gymnast blog column:
… this guy was in the last “individual-only” world championships in 2005, where he competed only pommel horse. He did make the finals, but ended up finishing 6th, (teammate Xiao Qin took the gold). Although Zhang’s amazing swing has been around for several years, he hasn’t been given another shot at a world medal since his 2005 debut. While Xiao Qin dominated the world on this event throughout the entire last quadrennium, there likely wasn’t room on the powerful Chinese team for two pommel horse specialists. Now that Olympic champion Xiao is retired, I have a feeling we will be seeing this guy in London in a couple of months, where he will now be the one to beat. …
Click through to see Olympic Floor Champion Zou Kai’s new routine. Second pass has never been competed before.
A brand new gymnastics and cheerleading product offered by American Gymnast, the Flip Machine is an air-filled unit providing super-fast spring for gymnasts and cheerleaders learning leaps and flipping skills. This video gives a great overview of how the product can be used. It’s great for learning back tucks, front tucks, straddle jumps and a variety of other gymnastics and cheerleading skills.
Igor Vihrovs
Pablo Capote
Kristy Powell
Alicia Sacramone
Brett McClure
Melissa Metcalf
Num Kutz
Guard Young
Doug Boger
Geoff Eaton
Jason Gatson
Jamie Dantzscher
The Platt Brothers
3 Danish National Team Members
Charlie Tamayo
Raj Bhavsar – coming week 11 (August 16-22)
Kerri Strug
Elise Ray
Mircea Badulescu
Jen Hansen
Kiara Nowlin
Aubrey Balkin
Timm: Making a difference in a kid’s life when they come here. My favorite is the kids that come and are very nervous, and by the end of the week they seem to know everyone and are a changed person. I also love seeing the kids faces when they see their favorite Olympians. It reminds me of the way I felt when I got to go to Fenway and watched the Red Sox play at Fenway for the first time!
SiM: What are some of the highlights you have enjoyed at Woodward West?
Timm: The major highlight for me is that I get to hire some VIPs/Olympians that I grew up with and competed against throughout my career. I grew up with Jason Gatson and get to have him come out here and coach for us. I think out of everyone that comes and visits camp, I usually know the VIPs the best going into it. It is nice to be a part of the sport for so long competing and now I run the best camp in the country. …
Ever seen Charlie Tamayo crash?
I haven’t. Until now.
He’s as skilled as any acrobatic athlete who ever lived.
Every year, the Women’s Sports Foundation recognizes an individual and team Sportswoman whose performances over a 12-month time span have been exceptional. …
New Japanese star Kohei Uchimura could be unbeatable at October’s world championships, reigning world and Olympic champion Yang Wei said this week.
Yang, who announced his retirement earlier this year, picked the 20-year-old Uchimura as the favorite to inherit his crown at the 2009 World Championships. …