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As we reported at the time, Anna from the Ukraine won Worlds, one of the few Gold medals not taken back to Russia.

Kaja Harms posted a montage of training and competition footage. Kaja’s convinced that Anna has been underscored by RG judges in the past.

Finally, FINALLY, Anna Bessonova became the World All-Around Champion. The best moment in Rhythmic Gymnastics in 10 years!

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I’m always talking to people who would love to coach Men’s Gymnastics — but who tell me they cannot find jobs.

… They end up coaching girls.

Here’s your chance, guys.

Tony Smith is looking for two coaches at University of Calgary in Canada to work with him in their tremendously successful program. (Grant Golding, Kyle Shewfelt, Nathan Gafuik, many more)

Both would likely be working with Tony and the Sr. Men’s Team, as well as coaching a group of their own young gymnast. Good possibility for international travel, as well.

Tony would even be happy to mentor an ex-gymnast who wants to pursue a career in coaching.

This is the best Men’s coaching opportunity I’ve heard of this year.

If you want to know more, email Tony: asmit @ ucalgary.ca

RING STRENGTH featuring Jordan Jovtchev is the best video of its kind. Superb.

But Straight to the Bar alerted us to a Ring Push-ups video. With a woman demonstrator.

I LOVE seeing female athletes using rings. They benefit even more than men.

video linked from CrossFit.com

(via Straight to the Bar, Lean and Hungry Fitness, MarkFu’s Barbarian) … These links really make the rounds.

Syracuse University Archbold Gym (Sept. 9, 2005) – Lauren Gresens, 19, Syracuse University Women’s Gymnastics club member, takes a break to catch her breath during her work out warm up. Photograph by Kitt Amaritnant.

photo source – flickr

more team photos

The 1978 World Champion died Dec. 22nd, 2006, 46-years-old.

I had forgotten what a “big trick” gymnast she was. “A flyer, not a flower”, as Bela would say.

This bittersweet montage may bring a tear to your eye.

A montage for Yelena Mukhina, who recently passed away twenty-six years after being paralyzed in a floor accident. You will be missed, Yelena.

thesparkinside

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Related posts:

Elena Mukhina dead at 46

should roll-out skills be banned on Floor?

Blythe, editor of the terrific new Gymblog, pointed us to this video, a well-edited montage of astonishing release moves and dismounts on Horizontal Bar. Includes triple front and triple back pike.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

This is one of over 80 videos posted by theused1786 on YouTube.

Rick McCharles

Just got the schedule of presentations for Spokane. I expect you won’t want to miss my 4 sessions — though there are a few other choices.

Now scheduled is a screening of the best gymnastics movie of all time, White Palms, staring Kyle Shewfelt and “Uldi” Zoltan Miklos Hajdu, the Academy Award nominee from Hungary.

The 2007 Region 2
Coaches and Judges Congress
Spokane, Washington
“Region 2 Rising!”
October 19—21, 2007

For more Information, contact Dave Adlard funnflip @ msn.com
208-664-0135
www.funtastics.org

Related post – partial list of presenters at Congress 2007

I wish I was there, on the glass ceiling atop the CN Tower in Toronto.

Artists from Cirque du Soleil were promoting their new touring show Kooza.

But a National Post reporter was somewhat underwhelmed:

… 1:37 It’s contortion time. Three young girls dressed in full Cirque du Soleil regalia proceed to go through a four-minute routine of bending over backwards, standing on top of one another, and other eye-popping, freaks-me-out-to-watch wonders.

1:40 As far as astounding world records go, it’s all a bit anticlimactic. If one of the circus performers was to do a handstand on the top of the Tower’s needle, that would be breathtakingly awesome. This though? We’re standing on a totally secure floor inside a building. As one unnamed person would later say to me, “If I juggled in an airplane, would that set the record for highest circus act ever performed?”

1:48 I ask the publicist from Guinness what the previous record for world’s highest circus act is. It turns out there is no previous record. This is a new, first of its kind record. Guinness World Record officials will confirm it on October 3. …

National Post

(via Cirque Tribune forum – KOOZA to attempt new Guiness World Record)

Kooza – Cirque du Soleil

Just back from visiting Funtastics in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. At the beginning of the season the competitive TEAM girls memorize their program mission statement:

We exist to provide every athlete in our developmental and competitive team programs with a rewarding and fulfilling experience through the building of character, and ‘heart’ above all. We are working towards this by focusing on respect for themselves and others, time management skills, self discipline, development of competitive abilities, dedication to a team, strong work habits, goal setting ability, a love of exercise and an overall sense of accomplishment in their endeavors. In short, an attitude of “never less than the best we can do”.

We work on and encourage a positive attitude, courage, development of superb physical and mental strengths and abilities and the willingness and ability to put in your best effort at every opportunity … to stick to a task and persevere, overcoming challenges and goals that were ‘impossible’ only a short while before.

In essence, we are striving to develop life skills that will last you long after your competitive days are over.

Learning and discussing the Mission is part of their Sport Psychology program which Head Coach Dave Adlard feels is the most productive training session of the week.

Also, they’ve changed the word “goal” … to “promise”. A much stronger word and one more meaningful to the kids.

Another great video on Don Eckert’s saltocafe channel on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.