Author: Rick Mc

Coach Ed Vincent at Altadore built this interesting training device.

He uses the wide pommels under a pommel bucket.

I saw an article about two gymnasts from NISHIDA’S GYMNASTICS & FITNESS CENTER in Kingston, Jamaica competiing well at a meet in Florida, the 2009 Gasparilla in Tampa.

NISHIDA’S offers a full range of gymnastics programs. As well as Cheer.

Mr. Shin Nishida has built a strong program there. Congratulations.

Another Japanese led gymnastics facility – ISHIMOTO GYMNASTIC School – is only 3000 square feet. But is looking for more.

Leave a comment if you know more about what’s happening with gymnastics sports on the Island.

Like most gymnastics clubs, we have a number of girls out with injury right now, right in the middle of our competitive season.

One kicked the low bar by accident doing Pak. One tripped over her feet at the gym … we are claiming she was training triple back off beam.

Another suffers chronic pain. Cause not clear. All modes of treatment including extended rest does not alleviate it.

Frustrating.

Pain and Beth Tweddle have been constant companions since the 2006 world asymmetric bars champion broke her left foot warming up for the British championships eight years earlier.

In 1999 pins were removed from her ankle. A year later the joint required manipulation under a local anesthetic.

Flaking bone was removed in 2001 before surgery on both ankles in 2002. Two years later she underwent surgery on a torn bicep tendon.

“I’ve had enough injuries to last me a lifetime,” Britain’s first world gymnastics champion told Reuters in a telephone interview during a break from training for the Beijing Olympics.

“In a way it’s made me a stronger person, it’s made me more determined to go out and prove to people that an injury isn’t going to stop me.”

“I think every athlete competes through certain aspects of pain. I guess that’s just part of the sport. …

Pain is gymnast Tweddle’s constant companion – Yahoo News

credit – British Olympic Association

Beth does not plan on training through to the 2012 Olympics in London. Neither has she signed with any NCAA gymnastics team, so far as I have seen.

All older, high level competitive gymnasts are “injured”. They do things in training that would be avoided by non-gymnasts.

I recall Russian coaches using the term “functionally healthy” to mean “injured, but still able to do the training program”.

Pain management is essential. Smart coaching is essential.

Beth was “was the talk of the town” after the WAG preliminary competition in Milan.

Beth Tweddle – Wikipedia

Unofficial Results:

AA: 1.Daniel Keatings 89.150; 2.Fabian Hambuchen 89.050; 3.Yuri Ryazanov 88.900; 4.Benoit Caranobe 87.775; 5.Flavius Koczi 86.950; 6.Alexander Shatilov 86.050; 7.Jeffrey Wammes 86.025; 8.Dimitry Savitski 86,025; 9.Philipp Boy 85.625; 10.Manuel Campos 85.150

bottom of live blog page – The All Around – MAG Quick Hits Subdivision 3

I think that is final.

The “kid” Keatings bests favourite Hambuchen.

What does British Gymnastics think about that?

Event finalists posted on Gymnastics In Europe.

Photograph: Brandon Malone/Action Images – Guardian

Competition is underway in Edmonton, Alberta.

WildRoseGymnastics.com

I’m coaching today. Heading up this evening in time for the coaches social at Champions Gymnastics Club.

I saw this photo posted by Shaena Bunce on Facebook.

This is a repost. A reminder to check out one of the 6 fantastic gymnastics meets being held this Saturday.

Another step in the confusing system used by the NCAA to determine who earns the right to compete at Championships 2009. The top 2 teams from each meet advance:

This young fan is cheering for UCLA. Click PLAY or watch the hilarious video on Gymnastike.

West Region – in Seattle, Washington (University of Washington, host)
Teams
1. Utah
2. Auburn
3. Illinois
4. Boise State
5. Washington
6. San Jose State

North Central Region – in Iowa City, Iowa (University of Iowa, host)
Teams
1. Florida
2. UCLA
3. Minnesota
4. Denver
5. Iowa State
6. Iowa

South Central Region – in Fayetteville, Arkansas (University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, host)
Teams
1. Stanford
2. Arkansas
3. Michigan
4. Arizona
5. Arizona State
6. Southern Utah

Central Region – in Columbus, Ohio (The Ohio State University, host)
Teams
1. LSU
2. Oregon State
3. Ohio State
4. Kent State
5. Kentucky
6. Michigan State

Northeast Region – in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, host)
Teams
1. Alabama
2. Oklahoma
3. Missouri
4. Central Michigan
5. New Hampshire
6. Maryland

Southeast Region – in Raleigh, North Carolina (North Carolina State University, host)
Teams
1. Georgia
2. Penn State
3. Nebraska
4. West Virginia
5. North Carolina State
6. North Carolina

commentary on College Gymnastics Board

The teams I’ve bolded are expected to qualify to one of the 12 team positions at Championships. But upsets happen. Nebraska will be fighting hard to finish in the top 2 in the SE Region, for example. Michigan could pull an upset, too.

All 6 Regional Championships are held the same day, starting at 6PM local time. If you can attend any of the 6 competitions, do it. They are a blast.

=====

Finals April 16-18, 2009
Bob Devaney Sports Center
Lincoln, Nebraska
Host: University of Nebraska, Lincoln

details – NCAA

I’ve just subscribed to an interesting site called The All Around.

I became a fan of their Facebook page.

And even subscribed to their Twitter Feed.

Like most who try it, I think Twitter is cryptic, limited and initially useless.

But I’ve always thought it had potential for live blogging gymnastics competitions. The All Around did exactly that at European Championships.

screenshot – Twitter – theallaround

Blogger Anne Phillips was one of those who made a special trip to the Texas State Capital to fight for a modified Bill that would exempt gymnastics and other skill-based programs (such as marital arts, soccer, etc.) from being classified as “Daycare Centers”.

THANKS Anne. And thanks to all those fighting for this cause.

From her report:

… about 50 members of the Texas gymnastics community showed up at the Capitol today in support of the cause. … When they FINALLY got to our bill, the Head Representative asked for everyone present regarding that bill to raise their hands, and all 50 of our hands shot up. Everyone else in the room, including the State Representatives, was astounded by the amount of people there in support of this bill. That was a proud moment for Texas Gymnastics.

Of those 50, we had almost 20 individuals who got up to testify and explain why it is important to support the Committee Substitute version of House Bill 1393. I was truly impressed with what everyone had to say. It was evident that everyone spoke from the heart and I believe they got through to the Representatives.?

The variety of speakers included 2004 and 2008 Olympic Head Coach Kevin Mazeika, Texas State Chairman Dianne Callison, GAT Educational Director Cheryl Jarrett and ITP Director Beth Gardner to name a few. …

Gymnastike – We are NOT a Daycare Center. We are a Training Facility.

Some European Championships videos are showing up on YouTube.

Here’s the AA leader on Floor. Good. But not awesome in any way.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Gymnastics and stuff)

IG Publisher Paul Ziert’s second blog post is much better than his first.

Detailed. Insightful.

And only one paragraph devoted to what he had for dinner.

If you are interested in Men’s Gymnastics, click through for a preview of each apparatus. And some great photos.

… no team in Europe can touch the technical perfection of the Belarusians. Their program should be studied carefully because someone there really knows what and how to do it. If they could only gain a higher level of confidence and consistency, they would get the recognition they deserve. …

… I must say that I was pleasantly impressed with the number of gymnasts (156 entries) and quality of performance today. I actually enjoyed what I saw! …

Ziert Alert: Blog Two: Men’s Podium Training

Jordan Jovtchev (Bulgaria)