wingsuit flying – crazy BASE jump video

Wingsuit flying is the closest man can come to having the control of a bird in the air.

Loïc Jean-Albert of Fly Your Body is one of the featured wingsuit flyers in this BASE jump video.

Click PLAY or watch it on LiveLeak. http://www.liveleak.com/player.swf

(Via Get Outdoors and Straight to the Bar)

video – fun with barbells

I’m a big fan of the Straight to the Bar strength blog out of Australia.

But Jason Kirby posted some CRAZY weight room videos yesterday, including The Amazing Flying Squirrel:

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

See more like this — Fun with Barbells.

Of course you’ll likely get thrown out of the weight room if you start trying any of these.

🙂

a glimpse into the Shaolin Temple

Once again I’m linking to one of Mark’s posts on the Jump Club blog:

… those that have an interest in Kung Fu and photography, may want to pick up a copy of the British Journal of Photography (£2).

… photographer Justin Guariglia has had the rare and privileged opportunity to document within the walls of the 1500 yr old Chinese Buddhist sect, known commonly as the Shaolin Temple.

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more details … Shaolin: Kung fu Photography « JumpClub

front lever – superb strength training skill

The classic front lever on rings. (This guy has potential, by the way.)

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larger original – RingTraining.com

Often we spot athletes on front lever “pulls” to this position on either rings or a bar:

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Much better for most athletes, however, are what I call “front lever rocks” — chin-ups to front lever position done continuously:

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Most gymnasts do not need spot on the variation above, especially if they bend the knees and / or pike at the hips to reduce resistance.

Front lever drills are terrific strength training exercises for males and females. In fact, front lever rocks can even be done by non-gymnasts as a general fitness exercise:

… “Begin in a momentary tucked flexed arm hang, and then swing the knees forward while simultaneously straightening your arms. Within a few attempts, you’ll be able to do these in sequence. I call these rhythmic swings front lever rocks. There is no isometric hold at first. As you get stronger, you’ll be able to increase the range of motion and the number of lever rocks. Soon you’ll be able to stop in the tucked front lever position for a half second or longer. One day when you feel particularly strong, keep your legs straight.

read the entire article … Lord of the Rings – Input Fitness

Thanks to shagy13 for posting those videos and more.

Suzanne Yoculan to retire … after 2 more seasons

One of the best paid coaches in gymnastics is stepping down.

ATHENS, Ga. — University of Georgia gymnastics coach Suzanne Yoculan, who has led the Gym Dogs to eight NCAA national championships, will retire from her head coaching position following the 2008-09 season according to an announcement Wednesday by UGA Director of Athletics Damon Evans. …

“Suzanne has done a remarkable job in her 25 years at UGA,” said Evans. “She has built the Georgia program into the most successful in the country. …

Georgia.jpg

Long time UGA assistant coach Jay Clark will succeed Yoculan
Photo Credit: Brett Davis

Head Coach Suzanne Yoculan To Retire Following 2009 Season – GeorgiaDogs.com—Official Athletic Site of the University of Georgia

new blog – difficulty plus execution

I’m just working my way back through the posts of a cheeky new blog. Check the tag line:

difficulty-plus-execution.jpg

It’s something of a gossip site. The blogger makes no claims to expertise. She’s just an opinionated fan of women’s Artistic Gymnastics.

I like it. Very entertaining. And where else would I be tipped off to video clips like this? — Alicia Sacramone punching out some dude. Awesome!

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Apparently the guy dared Sac to punch him, and she did. Only she didn’t think that it would actually hurt.

Interesting and fun stuff « difficulty plus execution

Also, … (hopeful) speculation that Courtney Kupets might make a run at Olympics 2008. Or 2012.

Blythe posted the same sentiments about Courtney on Gymblog. And I feel the same way too. Courtney Kupets is awesome.

But would you choose to compete against Shawn Johnson if you had the chance, instead, to lead Georgia to it’s fourth NCAA team title in a row?

Check out the new blog: difficulty plus execution.

Just remember those are opinion posts. Not hard news.

Jade Barbosa – bronze at Worlds 2007

I don’t know enough about Brazilian superstar Jade Barbosa.

… In 2007 Jade participated in the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, winning a gold medal on the Vault, a silver in the Team Competition and a bronze in the Floor final.

At the 2007 World Championships, Jade won a bronze medal in the Women’s All Around. She also qualified to the Vault and Balance Beam finals.

… in 2007 she was the Senior All Around Champion, defeating 2006’s champion Daniele Hypolito.

Jade Barbosa – Wikipedia

I like this bittersweet montage on her trials and triumphs, so far:

Click PLAY or watch Jade on YouTube.

The editor has more videos featuring Jade on her YouTube channel called Ginastica Artistica (Brasil).

Brazil produces more than their share of the best gymnasts and acrobats in the World. Good luck to Jade preparing for the Olympics.

synchronized diving photos

Sing Lo has a terrific collection of 2004 Olympic synchronized diving photos. A couple of low resolution samples:

women.jpg
Cassandra Cardinell and Sara Hildebrand USA – larger original

men.jpg
larger original

see all photos in this set – Olympic synchronized diving gallery – Pbase

Sing Lo is certainly one of the best sports photographers in the world. (We link to him from the right hand navigation under Gymnastics Photos.)

His home page is easy to remember … comaneci-salto.com

video – USA gymnasts for 2008 Olympics

The latest, greatest video from Eliza. Very inspiring.

A montage I made about the potential the US has for the Olympics next year. I tried to include as many gymnasts as I could, but I was limited by the amount of quality footage I had.

Music – “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns and Roses

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The USA has so much depth. It’s intimidating.

gymnastics in Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland

I’m never surprised to hear gymnastics is happening at any remote part of the world.

Coach Don Anweiler is recently arrived at a club in Vestmannaeyjar, off the S.W. coast.

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And the club is already 20yrs old!