Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.

Cirque du Soleil – 60 minute special

Cirque on April 3rd posted another FREE hour long video edit.

This one includes the incredible Amaluna Bars act — dozens of skills included from all era’s of Asymmetric Bars history.

Enjoy.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Syrian gymnast Yazan Alsouliman in Japan

…  the gymnasium used by the Syrian team was bombed. Alsouliman was not there at the time, but when he visited the next day, he found that the equipment had been smashed to pieces. …

He was elated to be chosen to go to Japan with the support of the Tokyo 2020 Solidarity Special Program, jointly organized by the International Olympic Committee and Japanese Olympic Committee. …

Konishi Yasuhito—coach of the gymnastics squad at Tōkai University, where the young Syrian is enrolled in the Japanese language course for international students, and a trainer for the Syrian team—applauds Alsouliman’s language progress …

Two years have passed since he came to Japan. …

Alsouliman is naturally also concerned about his family back in Syria, and says that the war-torn country is always in his prayers. He video-chats with his mother almost every day. …

Nippon.com

Chellsie Memmel – “Go Mama”

Most Elites dream of being this at ease on high Beam.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

64 Artistic gymnasts already Olympics qualified

Lauren Hopkins is going to post a feature on each, starting with Singapore’s Sze En Tan.

 

hard landing mats in the pit

We see it EVERY competition …

Gymnasts competing skills on to hard mats that they’ve obviously rarely done on to competition mats.

It’s dangerous.

Coaches should do a better job of simulating the competition landing in training.

coach Warren Long at Taiso Saskatoon

The best I’ve ever seen was T&T coach Tammy Stephenson. She trained landings on to very high, very soft surfaces for most of the year. Prior to a competition she alternated layers of matting stiffened with sheets of plywood.

Max Whitlock training Pommels on a sofa

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.

 

Click PLAY or watch a tribute on Twitter.

Cirque du Soleil 60 minute special

Cirque is the world’s largest employer of acrobats.

But 95% of employees are laid off right now.

Click PLAY or watch highlights from KURIOS, ’O’, and LUZIA on YouTube.

I’m a big fan of the Bateau act starting here.