Category: Uncategorized

Coach Howard has the best write-up I’ve ever seen on a problem that plagues all “ability level” competitive structures.

Coaches competing kids in a lower level than their actual ability group in order to WIN.

In this article, he talks about the Jr Olympic WAG program:

… While the USA Gymnastics minimum for moving up is a 31.0 All-Around, USAG will never mandate moving up gymnasts with any score for liability reasons. …

The Gyms and Coaches, Actually Doing This, are the Culprits

The responsibility for this is squarely on the shoulders of the gym(s) and coaches that are engaging in this practice. I have never heard any justification for sandbagging that rings true. It is obvious that they are simply trying to stack the deck, so their gymnasts can win, by holding them back …

read more on Gymnastics Zone – The Unethical Practice of Competitive Sandbagging

He singles out the Judges Cup meet each year as being the most conspicuous example.

We can all name coaches who we consider most guilty of sandbagging. But most gyms have some kids competing a level lower than they might for one reason or another.

Parents and kids understand the problem.

MostepanovaFan

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I finally saw the film Black Swan.

Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.

Very well done. But terrifying. High performance dance leads to mental illness.

It’s called a psychological thriller. But if you don’t like horror movies, skip it.

Commonwealth Youth Games podium for the all-around:

1. Dominick Cunningham (England)
2. Jay Thompson (England)
3. Harry Owen (Wales)

full MAG AA results

Gold medal for Wales.

1. Angel Romaeo (Wales)
2. Brittany Robertson (New Zealand)
3. Abi Caig (England)

full WAG AA results

(via Couch Gymnast)

Since I’ve linked to Angel already this weekend, instead enjoy this photo of the lovely Brittany Robertson.

That photo we first saw in a Couch Gymnast interview with her Mom.

Britanny’s goal is to represent NZ at the Commonwealth Games, Worlds and the Olympics. So far, so good.

I can’t get enough of these Lighthouse Film Company gymnastics videos.

This is the first of many teasers to promote the film of the amazing gymnastics event, Evolution.

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.

What’s the next step in the evolution of Evolution?

Is there a way to make ‘professional gymnastics’ profitable for promoters?

I’m assuming they’d need a title sponsor or a TV deal.

GymnasticsEvolution.com

Robert DiVincenzo is a Cheer coach and self-taught tumbler with excellent physical ability. You might have seen him in Bring It On: In It to Win It.

He put this fun video together to showcase his skills. And to inspire others to follow their dreams, regardless of age, sex, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, social class, sport, etc.

It worked for him.

The DiVo I want you to know, this time I’m ready to show…

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Cheerleading not only changed my life, but it also saved my life. Thank you to everyone who has given me the opportunity to shine and reveal my passion for this incredibly unique sport.

Thanks Rob.

“When you have the strength to believe in who you are, you hold the key to your destiny.”

Tina Rand was a high level gymnast as a teenager, but dropped the sport until age-28 when she decided to go back to Adult Recreation class.

… Now at age 42, she is competing at Level 9 in USA gymnastics …

Tina lives in the Annapolis, Maryland area with her husband of 18 years and has two beautiful boys, ages 4 and 7. …

read more

(via Rec Gymnastics)

Instead he lawyered-up:

… “We will fight the criminal charges vigorously,” said Michael J. Smith, Hamm’s attorney. …

Universal

That’s the way Paul Hamm rolls.

_____

Paul Vernon in USA Today:

Paul Hamm … is looking for a new place to train after he was fired as an assistant gymnastics coach by Ohio State.

The termination is effective immediately, athletics director Gene Smith said in a statement Friday. Hamm had been an assistant gymnastics coach at Ohio State since June.

“We have high standards for our coaching staff and unfortunately Mr. Hamm failed to meet those standards,” Smith said. ..

read more – Ohio State fires Olympic gold medalist Paul Hamm after assault arrest

Deadspin – Paul Hamm Is Just Another Unemployed Drunk Male Gymnast Now

In both Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics.

Men’s Team Final:

1. (England) – Brinn Bevan, Dominick Cunningham, Jay Thompson 238.700 – gold

2. (Canada) – Zachary Clay, Curtis Graves, Kal Nemier 229.150 – silver

3. (Australia) – Tyson Bull, Kent Pieterse, Declan Stacey – 221.950 – bronze

Women’s Team Final:

1. (England) – Abi Caig, Charlie Fellows, Rebecca Tunney 159.750 – gold

2. (Wales) – Kiera Brennan, Angel Romaeo, Raer Theaker 156.000 – silver

3. (Australia) – Alex Eade, Maddi Leydin, Emma Nedov 148.850 – bronze

isleofman.com

You can see a glimpse of the WAG competition starting at 8min 41sec on this YouTube highlights video.