Category: beam

China’s Deng Linlin – interview

Valerie Theodora Ko posted an excellent and informative chat with our defending Champion:

Valerie: How will you describe the 2008 WAG Team of China?

Linlin: We were a fiercely strong team. That was why we won. Especially our big sister Cheng Fei, who was the only Olympian of the team. With her many experiences, she led us to claim that gold. As the younger teammates, the other five of us were great too. We all delivered our performances. TF is not just about one individual, but it is about the team, with the gymnasts, coaches, and those who work behind the scenes.

Valerie: How were your two Olympic experiences different?

Linlin: 2008 Olympics was my first huge competition, I was like a tiger cub and did not think a lot. I did three routines in the TF and became much more confident. In 2012 it was different because I was the team leader, I felt more weight on my shoulders. Also, 2012 was more about realizing my dreams. I knew 2012 would be my last Olympics, so I hoped I could win beam gold. I did it despite the difficulties. I conquered myself.

Valerie: Who was your favourite gymnast during your competitive years?

Linlin: I admired Li Xiaopeng (China MAG, four-time Olympic champion and eight-time World champion). He was not only handsome, but more importantly, he had a commanding presence in the arena. He was a genius in my mind.

Read more – Exclusive Interview With 2012 Olympic Beam Champion Deng Linlin of China

Click PLAY or watch some highlights from the 2012 Olympic Beam Final on YouTube.

judging Artistry is impossible

That’s my opinion.

Therefore Artistry should not be part of ranking gymnasts in any Code of Points.

Science of Gymnastics Journal 2014:

Due to its nature and relatively poor definitions in the Code of points, judging of artistry may suffer from serious flaws in reliability and validity.

We have used the balance beam artistry evaluation forms given by 5 execution judges at World Championship in Tokyo 2011 to analyze reliability and validity. Data on 194 competitors was gathered.

Deductions were received by a highly variable number of competitors from separate judges in the same components of artistry. The variability of average total artistry deduction was relatively large …

We conclude that neither reliability nor validity of artistry judging was satisfactory in this analysis. …

THE JUDGING OF ARTISTRY COMPONENTS IN FEMALE GYMNASTICS: A CAUSE FOR CONCERN?

We can evaluate Execution and Difficulty in reliable ways. And come up with a score that would be consistent meet to meet, panel to panel.

Artistry could be rewarded by a separate (subjective) panel. Something like the Longines Elegance Award, but with a much better panel of evaluators.

Give this guy an award. 😊

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - Photo by Andrew Eccles
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – Photo by Andrew Eccles

American Team for Rio?

FloGymnastics:

As the 2016 Olympics approach, we will be ranking the top U.S. elite gymnasts who are eligible for Rio. Rankings are based on prior performances, consistency in competitions, international experience, upgrade potential, and current competitions. …

1. Simone Biles
2. Gabby Douglas
3. Aly Raisman
4. Maggie Nichols
5. Madison Kocian
6. Ragan Smith
7. Laurie Hernandez
8. MyKayla Skinner

Big Changes In Rio Rankings Following The Jesolo Trophy

Click through for the full list.

Click PLAY or watch Ragan’s energetic FX on YouTube.

It’s still too early to bet the mortgage. But these two new Seniors are definitely in the mix. Either or both could be on the final team.

Roxi Popa injured

😦

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.

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THE ARTIST – Ivana Hong

Ivana Hong can be defined by her grace, and her family for its courage

“How do you capture Ivana in words?” wondered Chris Swircek, Stanford’s women’s gymnastics associate head coach. “Her movement is so fluid and graceful, all the way down to her hands and her fingertips and the way she holds her head.

“It’s art, right?” …

Hong doesn’t compete to win, she said. She never has. She competes for perfection, or at least the pursuit of it.

Click PLAY or watch her Beam in Finals at Championships 2015 on YouTube.

Ivana’s Mom was one of the Vietnamese Boat People who fled the war as refugees.

Michelle Hong

Click through to read a fantastic profile on Go Stanford – The Artist

Thanks Cordelia.

Beam Queen Morgan Lane

Morgan is one of the highlights from last week as selected by the NCAA Power Rankings Week 10.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (9.85 @W&M)

Or watch her 9.95 at Florida on Twitter. (VIDEO)

Evgeniya Shelgunova – Beam

58.666. 57.350. 58.650. Evgeniya has been on a roll.

Lauren:

In addition to upgrading to a DTY on vault, Shelgunova has made efforts on her other three events, but none is more striking than her beam, which now boasts a 6.9 start value, highest in the world. …

Shelgunova’s Epic Start to 2016

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

British Teams Competition

The Academy 208.600
City of Liverpool 206.450
South Durham 203.000
Park Wrekin 200.400
Sapphire 198.550
City of Birmingham 197.000

Vault
TINKLER Amy 14.900 1
CHEETHAM Ellee 14.100 2
KATKEVICA Samanta 14.050 3
TUNNEY Rebecca 14.050 3

Bars
TUNNEY Rebecca 14.400 1
JUPP Gabrielle 14.150 2
HARROLD Ruby 14.150 2
*Becky Downie 15.10

Beam
TINKLER Amy 14.100 1
MATTIS Tyesha 14.000 2
ACHAMPONG Ondine 13.350 3
*Becky Downie 14.650

Click PLAY or watch Becky’s Beam on YouTube.

Floor
TINKLER Amy 14.250 1
TURNER Phoebe 13.900 2
PARKER Megan 13.350 3

Click PLAY or watch Amy’s Floor on YouTube.

British Gymnewstics – Results and Scores British Teams and Trialists

That’s a very comprehensive report. 🙂

Sadly, Tyesha MATTIS was injured competing Floor. 😦