This guy’s incredibly consistent. He hit slightly better tonight than prelims.
… Everyone in the arena is talking about Behan, he is the man of the moment. From the Press, to his fans, to the judges and other delegations, his story has truly touched many hearts in the O2 Arena this week. A star is born. …
After a restless night wondering whether he would get the chance to participate at a record sixth Olympics, Bulgarian Jordan Jovtchev discovered on Wednesday that he had made the cut for the 2012 Games.
The news, more than 24 hours after the men’s qualifying competition ended, will come as a huge relief to the Bulgarian gymnastics federation as the 38-year-old Jovtchev had said its survival depended on whether he made it to London for the July 27-Aug. 12 event. …
The Chilean had a great floor routine that he hopes to increase to a 6.8 D score. One of the skills he plans to include for the Olympics is the Kovalyonov. … On vault, he expects to have two competitive 7.0 vaults, including his Yurchenko 3/1″.
click through to see what these superstars are training:
For this cycle those teams finishing 13th-16th qualify one “placement” for their nation.
For example, Jackson Payne from Canada was highest AA. But Canada can send anyone they wish to fill that spot.
Nations finishing below 17th must earn “personal” spots by competing in the AA in either Tokyo or London. Netherlands, for example, can send either Epke Zonderland or Jeffrey Wammes, but not Yuri van Gelder.
The Olympic Test Event labeled “London prepares” is about to kick off at the Greenwich Arena, UK. The top trampolinists in the world … from countries not yet qualified for the OG will compete Friday to try to obtain … 5 Olympic tickets …
I attended podium training for Trampoline. The atmosphere in the huge arena was very relaxed.
Many of the top bouncers — including reigning Olympic Champ the Bronze medalist from 2008 Dong Dong, — are here, as well, taking advantage of the chance to compete in the Olympic venue.
Beijing podium
Dong’s got no stress. But Silver medalist Jason Burnett has not yet qualified a spot for Canada in the London Games. Though he’s the world record holder for difficulty, Jason told me he’d be doing a relatively easy routine (playing it safe), especially since his injured ankle is still recovering.
Canadian coach Ken Soehntried to update me on how this event will be going down. I’ll be posting results and highlights.
Canadian freestyle skier, Sarah Burke is in a coma after a serious head injury while training at Park City, Utah. The 29 year-old Burke is a four-time Winter X Games champion in the skiing superpipe. …
Not many in the Press rogue’s gallery was picking Brazil to qualify.
Jade FERNANDES BARBOSA (BRA)
“We are very happy to be here and show how we are capable. It was an old team but we pulled through and made it.”
… I didn’t say it. 🙂
… Belgium, competing in subdivision two, could take great satisfaction from their overall result as they improved their score by eight points from Tokyo, where they had qualified in last position for this event. Indeed, for a brief moment, they were even dreaming of more.
In the final rotation of the day with Brazil performing on the Balance Beam, the two teams stood neck and neck and it all came down to the last routine.
After two falls by her teammate Jade Fernandes Barbosa, Daniele Hypolito began her routine knowing it was all or nothing for Brazil. The experienced gymnast, who competed in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, kept her nerve and scored 13.866, to put her team in fourth position and secure their Olympic spot in London. …
Even if you don’t speak Portuguese, it’s worth watching the TV coverage from Brazil on this accomplishment. Gymnastics is going to be even bigger in Brazil leading up to Olympics 2016. This helps the cause as the Brazilian guys did not qualify.
… So with every eye in the arena on her and the country’s Olympic hopes on her shoulders, Hypolito delivered, nailing her flight series (two back handsprings to a layout landed on two feet) and landing a good double pike dismount. She could not even make it down the steps of the podium before having to sit down and let the emotions out. Her teammates clustered around her, laughing and crying and hugging and celebrating like something great had just been accomplished …
Blythe was one of the few who thought Brazil had a chance to qualify. She also predicted that Canada would get to London mainly because of Vault — and they did deliver 3 DTYs, more than any other nation.
Sport can be thrilling.
And it can be agonizing. The least happy gymnasts in London are the girls from Belgium and the guys from Canada.
… final installment of The Couch Gymnast 2011 Awards!
Personality of the Year is one category. For 2010 I’d say it was Tatiana Nabieva. But in 2011 … here’s your larger-than-life pick.
Other categories:
Gymnast of the Year
Best Artistry of the Year
Most Improved National Team of the Year
Older Gymnast of the Year
Specialist of the Year
Rookie of the Year
Team Leader of the Year
Most Improved Gymnast of the Year
Gymnastics Coaching.com 