Decades ahead of his time.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. You could call it Def + 1/1 twist.
The 2nd ever caught — so far as I know — was Leo Lehtinen in 2024.
Leo competes for Finland.
Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.
Category: history
controversial Béla Károlyi
Getting over the shock of Béla’s death at only age-82, many are still wrestling with conflicting emotions about the legendary coach.
YES he inspired many around the world. YES he helped popularize the sport in the USA.
But many, many gymnasts were injured and psychologically damaged by the Károlyi system which I would call unscientific and unsafe.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Béla Károlyi was never convicted of any crime. You might argue that he escaped justice many times.
GymCastic has always done a good job covering the controversies. Listen to this PODCAST episode if you want to know more:
The Legacy of Bela Karolyi
Béla Károlyi is dead
Controversial coach Béla Károlyi has died, age-82.
One Romanian site says he was living in Huntsville, Texas at the time.
In my opinion, Béla was no technical coach, but a great motivator and promoter.
Without question, he helped popularize Artistic Gymnastics around the world, personal coach to two Olympic champions.
Many of those who knew him best had mixed feelings.
I felt his training methodology was unscientific. Unsafe.
Márta was somewhat better — but in the early 2000s, still required kids to do 10 routines / day immediately before competition. Dumb. Dangerous.
Worst of all, Károlyi success in the USA motivated Steve Nunno and others to emulate harsh coaching.
Márta Károlyi remained the national team coordinator for USA Gymnastics until 2016.
In 2024, we are far better off with elite American leaders like Alicia Sacramone Quinn and Chellsie Memmel.
“I Have Made Their Lives Miserable”
That’s what famed gymnastics teacher Bela Karolyi says about the rival coaches who criticize his ruthless methods—but he could say the same about the girls he is training to become Olympic champions.
“Simone Biles Rising!” – BEST LIMITED DOCUMENTARY SERIES
“Simone Biles Rising!” won the Critics Choice Documentary Award for BEST LIMITED DOCUMENTARY SERIES.
evolution of Bars
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Simone Biles Rising
This 4 part documentary on Netflix is extremely good.
It was fun reliving Paris.
Good editing. They got the Gymnastics right. Yet didn’t overwhelm the general public with too much technical jargon.
All gymnasts should see it if only to know that EVEN Simone Biles gets nervous at age-27. It’s normal.
Laurie Hernandez is the best colour commentator.
I was impressed with Joscelyn, too. So charismatic and well spoken.
Simone’s Mom is charming. I’m not surprised she got so much screen time.
I did NOT enjoy reliving Simone’s (possible) calf injury in Paris. … Whew.
Imagine the storyline if she had withdrawn before Vault in qualifications.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
GymCastic has a comprehensive review.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
overview of Men’s Gymnastics
An excellent summing up of the sport — including some of the all time greats.
Click through for details.
What are the 6 apparatuses in Men’s Gymnastics?
Hardy Fink – Lifetime Achievement Award
I can’t think of any other person in Gymnastics history who’s done as much for the sport.
World Acrobatic Society did a nice job trying to sum up his career in their Lifetime Achievement Awards VIDEO.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Kristy Wanner – Flairs on Beam
Thanks for capturing this, Dory.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Kirsty was a Canadian gymnast back in the days of innovation. 😀
Splits on Bars
Nina Bocharova.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 