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#gymnastics2010

From Men’s podium training in Rotterdam …

Defending World Champion Kohei Uchimura from Japan is injured. This confirms a fear we had yesterday when he was conspicously missing from training.

International Gymnast Magazine on Facebook tells that he’s had shoulder problems since July. He attempted some Rings in podium training. No go. But he did a full routine on H Bar. And had no problem tumbling. Likely he’ll not be doing the all-around. Likely Japan will not be able to challenge the Chinese in the team competition, now.

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Romania’s star Dragalescu is having problems, too. He vaulted … but not near his usual quality. And he struggled tumbling, facing double double.

We talked to Fabian Hambüchen and his father coach last night. The fabulous one still looks like a kid, yet his first World Championships was 2003!

As we knew in advance of the meet, Fabian‘s only doing 4 apparatus due to injury.

#gymnastics2010

A favorite for the all-around title at the world championships in Rotterdam, rising star Aliya Mustafina can be a handful in the gym, Russian head coach Alexander Alexandrov said.

Mustafina, who turned 16 on Sept. 30 is stubborn and prone to tears when things don’t go well in training, he said.

“The girl is very talented, but with a difficult character,” Alexandrov told a Russian newspaper in Rotterdam. “However, you don’t find much complacency among champions.” 

read more – Amanda Turner on International Gymnast – Alexandrov: Mustafina High Maintenance

Note that Amanda has no link to the original Russian interview on that post.

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The Khorkina “diva” school of successful psychology? … I’m very surprised to see that on this talented Russian team. Thinking back to the ultra-disciplined Soviet teams of the 1980s … they need another Shushanova. Or from the 1970s, Tourischeva. Super stable. Super tough.

Russia is beatable in Rotterdam.

related – Aliya Mustafina Online

Backward layout 2½ twist, punch double front. … Slow motion at 1min 30sec.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Talented. But shockingly sloppy.

This is the young guy from India whom the Indian Federation deemed not good enough to send to World Championships, even though he medaled on Floor and Vault at Commonwealth Games.

Like most everyone else, I’d never heard of Ashish before the Delhi Games. And expected that India could not contend for medals. Yet this young kid was quoted as saying that he was disappointed with Silver and Bronze. He planned to WIN both apparatus.

That the psychology Wayne Goldsmith talks about in a Sports Brain post – The W – Word: Winning.

If you’re going to compete, plan to win.

related – TV news feature – Ashish Kumar creates history

(via Aunt Joyce)

Breaking in new grips, she tells.

The Canadian gymnast from Oakville is psyched. Podium training went well and she’s looking forward to the big show: WORLDS.

Coach Kelly Manjak confirms that Jessica’s teammate Peng Peng Lee has medical clearance for full training. Expect to see her at Elite Canada. Peng Peng is also in talks with NCAA programs. Gym fans can look forward to her competing College, one day.

related – Gymnastike interview with Savona

Kim Yu-Na is the is the 2010 Olympic champion in ladies singles figure skating.

Congratulations.

The award was announced by the Women’s Sports Foundation, a U.S. organization.

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She’s hired Peter Oppegard, after splitting with former coach Brian Orser.

(via Aunt Joyce)

#gymnastics2010

Is Spanny Tampson in Rotterdam? This SPOOF Russia video has some truth to it.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Big Fake Smile)

Here’s the real deal. The official USAG podium training highlights video for team USA.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I like it. No commentary. No background track. No fluff. (Even Aunt Joyce calls USAG cool, for once.)

The States has their full media team here, updating as rapidly as possible. They’ve posted video interviews of each of the girls on YouTube. See them on the USAG Video page.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Thanks Ryan.

UPDATE: Funny comment on Aunt Joyce:

Anonymous said…
He Kexin is finally eligible for Worlds!! She looks great!

#gymnastics2010

Marta Karolyi still smiling.

see more photos on Gymnastics Examiner. All were taken by Brigid, the Couch Gymnast. (There’s some blogging incest happening here.)

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Press release by email from Philippe Silacci of the FIG:

On October 01, 2010, the FIG has initiated a disciplinary procedure against the Gymnastics Association of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (PRK) and their gymnast Ms. Hong Su Jong for alleged age infractions and false registrations.

The President of the FIG Disciplinary Commission in charge of this case has taken immediate action and provisionally suspended the Gymnastics Association of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (PRK) and their Gymnast Ms. Hong Su Jong, as of 6th October 2010 for a period of 30 days, due to the fact, that three different years of birth have been noted for this gymnast.

11th October, the Gymnastics Association of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (PRK) has filed an appeal to the FIG Appeal Tribunal against this decision.

As foreseen in the FIG Code of Discipline, the appeal will be judged by the President of the FIG Appeal Tribunal within 5 days.

Too late, I’m assuming. They will not qualify teams now through to World Championships 2011 nor Olympics 2012. Even if they win this challenge to the ruling.

And … in this appeal … what will Hong Su Jong’s actual birthday be listed as: 1989, 1985 or 1986?

On the FIG site it’s still listed as 1989.

UPDATE: press release posted on the FIG site

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LIVE from Rotterdam, we’re watching WAG and MAG “training gym” training as well as WAG podium training. There are multiple gyms in the huge Ahoy complex, and still more under construction. (It’s easy to get lost while trying to shuttle between Russia training Floor and China training Beam.)

The USA women’s team has just started.

After watching the ladies of Great Britain, Russia and China, I’m no more certain than I was before on what women’s team will win this thing. The computer says USA will be the Champions. But Russia looked solid on Beam. China even better.

It may come down to whatever team of USA, China and Russia has the best day in Team finals.

If Russia is to win (as I predicted) they’ll need to hit Bars, building a lead on the Americans. And staying close to China.

After problems and temper tantrums yesterday, Nabieva finished Bars training quickly today. Her form is loose, but the routine amazing. If she hits, she could challenge Olympic and World Champion He Kexin.

But the star of the warm-ups was Beth Tweddle. Her Bar routines is by far the hardest in the world, and she rocked long sections of it over and over again with no major deduction. The double double dismount rules.

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Go Beth !!

Details on the Gymnastics Examiner LIVE blog.