pirouette to Handstand on low Bar

It doesn’t get any better than this.

Mara Zoë Titarsolej

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Tracy Rinker – 1982 Bars

When was the last time you saw any of these skills in competition?

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Jr Europeans – Apparatus Finals

Bars

Beam

Emily May – 1981 Bars

Wow. What gymnast today could do half this routine?

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Bar releases with 1/2 turns – CONTROVERSY

It’s easy to catch a release to Cross Grip without turning in the air.

It’s very difficult to complete the 180° twist prior to regrasp.

MOST will end up doing something in-between.

Rather than make judges decide, problem would be solved if the 1/2 turn skills were considered a different skill for difficulty — but be awarded the same value.

 Georgia-Mae Fenton, for example, could compete Church and Church 1/2 turn and be credited 2 different skills with E value.

It’s an imperfect compromise, but the best I can come up with.

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Caitlin Rooskrantz interview

Wow.

After reading this interview I feel I know Caitlin personally. AND I’m an even bigger fan.

Being in gymnastics has normalised crying,” Caitlin Rooskrantz says. And then she laughs. “My coach [Ilse Roets] has los trane (loose tears). I’m always crying, we all are. It’s contagious. We all have deep feelings and we cry for anything. We even cry when we’re really happy.”

A year ago Rooskrantz became the first South African female gymnast to compete in an Olympics since 2004. …

“Attending an Olympics was a lifelong dream for me. And the unspoken rule among athletes is that you have to get a tattoo. So, while I have the rings, I have another tattoo [on her right arm] which I got after I qualified for Tokyo in 2020.

“It says: ‘And Still I Rise’. It carries significant meaning for me. It’s a reinforcement that I’m resilient, that I will always bounce back. I will always be going forward in my career and I will always rise above everything thrown at me. In my own eyes, I’ll always be a winner.” …

SA gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz rises above the falls while striving to be the best

It was written before Caitlin won Bronze on Bars at Commonwealth Games.