Category: Gymnastics

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)

Sam Mikulak – Podium Floor

related – Ray Zapata, another FX finals contender, did Floor quite well. But later announced he was withdrawing from Worlds. Too bad.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Michael Reid – Podium Pommels

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

Arthur Nory – Podium Floor

Men’s Floor is the Fugliest apparatus in 2019. Nory is one of the few I enjoy watching. Control and some style.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

See his interview following podium training (VIDEO).

day 2 MAG podium training

I’ll be commenting LIVE via Twitter @GymCoaching.

More LIVE coverage:

I found day 2 of the men’s competition even more exciting than day 1.

  • 90% of the (expensive) tickets sold — expect 100,000 spectators
  • China looks great. They’ll likely have a big lead over Russia and the rest on Pommels and P Bars.
  • the new look Japan is an exciting young team. We’re all trying to learn about their new superstars. Wataru Tanigawa landed short on a piked Dragulescu but may still try to compete some apparatus.
  • I was worried for GBR without Nile Wilson. But they looked quite good. Max hit Pommels and again looks a strong medal contender.
  • Yang Hak Seon is here, healthy and looks likely to land his Handspring Front Layout 3/1 twist
  • Oleg is here too. And looks relatively healthy. Could contend in the AA.
  • Simone is unbelievable. But I’d rank Zou Jingyuan’s P Bars (VIDEO) the greatest routine in the history of the sport MAG & WAG. Highest D-score. Highest E-score. In fact it looks like he’s upped his difficulty for this meet.
  • USA should contend for a medal. They’ve been super consistent in the weeks leading up to this meet. Sam should medal in the AA if there are Gods in Gymnastics Heaven.
  • The highlight of the day, for me, was Carlos Yulo from Philippines. He’s only 19-years-old. Wearing baggy shorts and a t-shirt (is that allowed?) he showed the most impressive tumbling of the day. Vault is crazy good too.
Carlos Bronze on Floor Worlds 2018

Here’s the FIG write-up on the day – Men’s podium training ends on eve of Stuttgart Worlds

Shout out for Team Canada. This might be their best squad since the great Kyle Shewfelt teams. René Cournoyer and Cory Patterson will be doing the AA.