tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
A former Michigan gymnastics coach will serve a life sentence for sexually assaulting more than a dozen young girls.
Shannon Guay was sentenced Wednesday for 21 counts of criminal sexual conduct plus one count of kidnapping.
Guay, who went by “Coach Jake” while working in Kent County, was arrested last year while living in Florida. …
The crimes reportedly occurred in the ‘90s and 2000s. The victims were all under 16 at the time.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I’m old enough that I competed the Western Roll on High Jump in Jr. High School. (Dive roll was already banned.)
Technique changed to the Fosbury Flop before I finished High School.
The evolution of technique.
In the Long Jump, Kiwi Tuariki Delamere competed a new technique at the Pacific 8 Track and Field Championships 1974. Front flip.
He was no gymnast. 😀
That jump was not far off the sea level World Record at the time.
Flipping was quickly banned.
Click PLAY or watch an interview with Tuariki on YouTube.
Others had tried that flip. I heard future Olympic gymnast, Sid Freudenstein, tried it High School competition for Triple Jump in 1968.
Related – How Tuariki Delamere’s somersault turned the sport of long jump on its head
Of course every coach uses methods from sport psychology to improve ultimate performances.
But we don’t really know how or why methodology works: self-talk, mental focus, attention, etc.
The brain is complex. Each athlete is different from the next.
A mental training plan for one might well be quite difficult for the teammate training beside them.
The benefits of training your mental skills are, by definition, all in your head. So how do we prove that it works?
Wassim Naqqar, 11, snagged first place in gymnastics in the Palestinian territories before the war began.
But after being forced to flee northern Gaza in April as fighting escalated in the area, he left Palestine Club in Sheikh Redwan, where he would train in gymnastics, yoga and parkour, a sport that involves running, swinging and vaulting in urban spaces.
His favourite sport of the three? Gymnastics. But because the region is war-torn, he says he often winds up practising it on the rubble. …
WaPo (paywall) – This 11-year-old does gymnastics atop the rubble of Gaza as the war rages on
Father-son duo helping train around 60 kids in war-torn region, teaching them gymnastics and parkour
Matthew Mitcham is the 2008 Olympic champion in the 10m platform, and he is the 2nd highest single-dive score in Olympic history (at the time it was the highest scoring dive ever). This made him the first openly gay athlete to win an Olympic gold medal.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Published Aug. 20 2024.
Interviews with Akash Modi, Justin Spring, John McReady, Kim Zmeskal, Betty Okino, Tracee Talavera, and more.
… unfiltered and heartfelt interviews presented in Beyond the Chalk Box. …
… the challenges and triumphs of former elite gymnasts …
Beyond the Chalk Box is not just a chronicle of athletic accomplishments. It’s a valuable resource for athletes, shedding light on the often-neglected aspects of athlete well-being.
It underscores the significance of a comprehensive approach to health, longevity, and joy in sports.
The book explores tools such as mindfulness, spirituality, self-compassion, visualization, and introspection, providing practical insights on how athletes can navigate the intricacies of their sport and cultivate resilience in the face of challenges.
Theresa Kulikowski-Gillespie is a holistic wellness and performance coach, physician assistant (PA), certified mindfulness meditation teacher, Army veteran …
A former 1996 Olympic Team Alternate and NCAA Champion, she now lives at West Point, NY, with her family and goldendoodle, Ollie.
Disclaimer ➙ Not ALL winning athletes are as fierce as Michael Jordan. But many are.
It can be difficult to find a healthy life / sport balance.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Having followed Ellie’s Elite career closely, I’d confirm that there’s no more enthusiastic booster of the sport who’s so respectful of others. Ellie will take time to encourage young gymnasts everywhere she goes.
Scott Bregman:
Four-time Canadian gymnastics Olympian Ellie Black has won the Paris 2024 Fair Play Award …
The award, a joint initiative by the IOC and CIFP, recognises athletes who exemplify the spirit of fair play, sportsmanship, and respect for others. …
“It was a real joy to have a list of over 20 good candidates living the values of Fair play during the Olympics, and in Ellie we have a well-deserving winner.” stated HSH The Princess Nora of Lichtenstein a member of the Jury …
IOC – Canadian gymnast Ellie Black wins Fair Play Award at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Sexual harassment is still common in 2024.
Mostly men harassing women and girls.
It’s not often reported — sadly — for multiple reasons.
When reported, I guesstimate far more than 90% of accusations are true.
Of course accused are innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. If you happen to see a possible incident in public, start videotaping. Evidence.
I like this graphic posted by Tomas Pueyo on the Uncharted Territories substack. Subscription.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 