Author: Rick Mc

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

World Championships BEGIN

Tokyo Olympic qualifications start with the ladies this time. The next two days will decide which 12 teams qualify. USA, RUS and CHN have already booked their tickets from Worlds last year.

I’ll be commenting LIVE via Twitter @GymCoaching.

More LIVE coverage:

What an honour to watch all these great gymnasts at one of their career peak competitions — Olympic qualification.

    • Australia and Ukraine were unlucky to draw the first flight of 10. I don’t have confidence that scores won’t escalate over the two days.
    • Australia really looks back on the right track. They competed less difficulty than they train, looking to improve E-score. On vault for example, their landings were  fantastic. Fans down under had no streaming video nor TV coverage. That’s bad for the sport.
    • Belgium killed it. A terrific team performance, especially Bars. Led by the great all-arounder Nina Derwael, looks to me like they will qualify a full team to the Olympics.
    • Jade Vansteenkiste competed the best triple twist I’ve seen in a long time
    • Danusia Francis, now competing for Jamaica, likely punched an AA invite to Tokyo. It’s been a long road. I’m thrilled for her.
    • Aneta Holasova CZE is another I really enjoyed watching today. Great Floor.
    • Oksana Chusovitina fell on her second vault. And Beam. She’s at risk of not qualifying for Tokyo. That would be a disaster for both Gymnastics and the Oympics. She’s one of our best stories.
    • Milka Gehani from Sri Lanka had everyone raving. Best ever from Sri Lanka.
    • the team that surprised me most and best today was Egypt.  Gymnastics is booming in that nation. One double twisting Yurchenko. Great stuff on all 4 apparatus.
    • Big crowd. Especially for the Germany session. And they did not leave unhappy.
    • Both North and South Koreas were excellent. Some of the best form and technique in the competition. It was great to see them on the floor at the same time.
    • Stars of the day were Germany and France. Both fantastic, but France finished ahead and is gunning to challenge China and Russia for the podium. They could do it.
    • Mélanie scored 56.482 and is definitely a favourite for podium AA. Love her unique Bars construction.
    • Congratulations to Team Canada. Despite some injury problems, they pulled off another very good prelims performance. Good chance to qualify to the team final.
France

Jr MAG Camp – China at Russia

The Chinese Junior National Team is being hosted by Russia at Round Lake right now.

I’m sure they’ll be closely following Worlds Stuttgart.

https://twitter.com/russiangymstan/status/1179832841934446592

Pauline Schäfer is competing

Pauline was sad to be named travelling alternate for Worlds at home.

Due to an injury to the 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist on Bars, Sophie Scheder, Pauline will compete after all.

Horizontal Bar – German Giants

Just today I learned that FIG MTC has clarified evaluation of German Giants.

You can watch one variation HERE.

Some of the guys at Worlds can get 2 C-parts.

1. German Giant = C

2. Koste = C

The clarification is for gymnasts who do not make it to nominal handstand on the Koste. If not, it’s a part of no value — but without deduction.

That’s inconsistent with the rest of the Code. Illogical. But I kind of like it anyaway as I do appreciate German giants.

The alternative now is for gymnasts not to go to handstand and simply do Stalder (B-part) out. If they have enough value parts the net loss is only 0.1 from D-score.

Leave a comment if I still have this wrong.

Sunisa Lee – Podium Bars

Her routine with only 1 pirouette, not two. Both are potential medium deductions.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Watch her GymCastic interview.

MyKayla Skinner is the alternate

From a one time controversial athlete, MyKayla has gained a huge fanbase — including myself — for this awesome and courageous comeback to Elite from NCAA.

She should keep improving and try for the Olympic team.

Sanne Wevers – Podium Beam

All hail the Olympic Champ.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Sanne says the light over Beam is somewhat bothersome. There are shadows. But her team can handle it.

SUPPORT these amazing gymnasts

FANS are FANatics. In every sport.

They are passionate. I get it.

And I want more Gymnastics FANS, not fewer.

That said, lets try to keep your comments on social media as positive as possible. This sport is incredibly difficult.

#respect athletes, coaches, parents and officials. 

Click PLAY or watch Nick Ruddock on YouTube.

inspirational gymnast Ronny Ziesmer

The 2003 German AA national champion Ronny Ziesmer was paralyzed training Tsuk double back preparing for the Athens Olympics.

I was reminded of Ronny’s story watching the far-too-dangerous Vault landings at Worlds in Stuttgart. Obviously the rules should be changed so there is less incentive in chucking BIG difficulty vaults.

Is Ronny coming to Worlds?

* Ronny Ziesmer founded the “Alliance of Hope Foundation” which supports the worldwide research in the field of regeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord. Patron of the Foundation, the German Federal Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel.

* Ronny Ziesmer started three times at the Berlin Marathon (2009, 2010, 2011) in the handbike. His goal is to attend the 2016 Paralympics.

* Just now in October 2011 Ronny Ziesmer has just completed a very successful study of biotechnology at the German “University Lausitz” in Senftenberg (near his hometown Cottbus) as a “Bachelor of Science”.

* Ronny Ziesmer is also working for the biggest European and German TV station “ZDF” as a co-commentator for the artistic gymnastic events like worlds, Europeans or Olympic Games.

The Agency, European Gymnastics Service “GYMmedia INTERNATIONAL” supports and cared for these exceptional athletes in all its responsibilities.

(C) GYMmedia INTERNATIONAL

Click PLAY or watch a short documentary on YouTube.

That’s on the gymmedia2010 YouTube channel.

related – Stanford gymnast Adriana Duffy, competing for Puerto Rico, was paralyzed competing Handspring Front vault at Stuttgart Worlds 1989.

(via Vídeos de gimnasia)