tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
I’d first seen motorized mat lifts in the nordic nations. For Team Gym.
GREAT idea.
The main progression for Vault is to train uphill. On to soft mats.
Taiso in Saskatoon has a permanent Vault table. It works extremely well.
But if you don’t have space for a permanent set-up, consider something custom like they are using at Clemson.
If you needed any more confirmation that U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles is the veteran leader of the U.S. squad at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, look no further than the Estadio Nacional Friday evening (20 October) as the 22-year-old carries Team USA’s flag in the Opening Ceremony.
“Honestly, I was in shock. I was in awe. … Chiles told Olympics.com Thursday (19 October) following her squad’s podium training session. …
“It just brings me back to when Miss Simone [Biles] did it for her 2016 era,” she said later. “I’ve always dreamed of being able to be a flag bearer.” …
Jordan Chiles: “I don’t look like anybody else. I’m not the typical gymnast you see every day.”
by site editor Rick McCharles
Uche Eke was the first gymnast to represent Nigeria at the Olympics.
He won’t be the last.
Uche is from Maryland, competed for Michigan. But he traveled to Nigeria twice a year from a young age and took part in domestic competitions.
Now retired, Nigeria is looking for the next Uche Eke. And the next Simone Biles. 😀
Following Worlds Antwerp I flew to Benin City, Nigeria to lead an FIG WAG / MAG Artistic Age Group Camp.
I’ve led many of these camps in developing nations around the world. Nigeria was the best organized, so far.
This is a group of coaches with mixed resources. Training from 6 – 24 hours / week maximum.
I wanted to challenge the top coaches while not intimidating those with few hours, limited set-up, take-down equipment.
The 3-year-old Gym at Ogbemudia stadium is the best in the nation.
Click PLAY or watch get a glimpse on YouTube. Indoor drone footage. Very cool.
In fact, the main factor holding back Nigeria is lack of training facilities.
Entrepreneurs have not yet opened many private gyms in Nigeria the way they have in Egypt and other developing nations.
Course Content
As many of the top coaches had done the Age Group Camp with me previously, I reviewed all sections having them practice on samples of the Physical, Technical, and Competition Routines.
A HUGE improvement from before the pandemic is having the Age Group PDF documents linked to YouTube. All coaches were quickly comfortable finding and working with the FIG videos from the PDF.
Next we looked at best practice introducing BASICS to beginners. The Age Group program offers everything you need from pre-competitive up to FIG Junior.
Nigeria plans to compete at World Cup competitions in 2024.
Their top male gymnasts are world class on Floor and Vault.
My thanks to Hardy Fink, the mastermind behind the FIG Age Group program in all disciplines.
This content is a terrific resource and FREE to every coach online.
Check out the FIG Age Group program. Download the PDFs in English, Français, or Español.
Tin Srbic is so clean on this set.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Who danced it better?
I give the edge to Simone in tumbling. 😀
Every other team had no more than five.
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Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Sarah Korngold is head coach of superstar Shilese Jones at Ascend Gymnastics in Washington State.
In this timely interview, Sarah talks about the selection process to the U.S. Worlds team 2023. Their training. The unfortunate injury to Joscelyn Roberson, and Leanne Wong quickly stepping in to replace Joscelyn.
She tells that Shi is 5′ 6 inches or taller.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
