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World Games in Cali.

A sample – CHN Men’s group balance

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

more Acrobatic & Rhythmic videos on Don Olivero’s YouTube channel.

Thanks Bea.

Brilliant slideshow.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I saw a few competitors comment online that this competition is better than World Championships.

I’m feeling rotten for the German and American athletes forced to withdraw. 😦

(via Phoenix CAN)

Translation: Bea Gheorghisor:

Octavian Bellu:

… as a gymnast I did not excel. I participated in Nationals, in average competitions, but I never reached high performance because after a point I was not built for gymnastics. …

You said that you wanted to study medicine?

I even studied for Medical school. But when I arrived in Bucharest for the exam, my colleagues hijacked me and I went to IEFS (Institute of Physical Education and Sport).

When did you start growing a mustache?

In high school in the ninth grade. I had great difficulties, because all the teachers claimed it would be better to shave. Just as I had difficulties when I went to Valea C?lug?reasc? teacher with long locks.

Locks?

I had long hair, yes. I am a rocker.

What music are you listening to?

Woodstock ’62. Beatles, Rolling Stones, Uriah Heep, Janis Joplin. …

To the National team, how did you get?

There was this Balkan Championship and two little girls from my club went to Onesti, the people from the Federation saw me and in ’81 when Bela Karoly left for the U.S. Athanasia Albu was a coach at the Federation at that point, I got a call: “Do you want to go to Deva?”. I said, “Yes.” …

read more on Couch Gymnast

Source for the interview: adevarul.ro

Octavian Ioan Atanase Bellu (… born February 17, 1951 …) is the current head of the Romanian national women’s artistic gymnastics team. He was the main coach with interruptions, between 1990 and 2005 and returned as head of the national team in 2010. …

Bellu has one daughter, Iolanda, born in 1978, with his first wife Camelia … In 2008-2009 Bellu married his coaching partner Mariana Bitang. …

Spanny is in lust with this Arabian on Beam.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

OMG

She could go Arabian punch front any time.

is week’s workout takes us to Morganville, NJ and MG Elite. MG Elite is home to National Team Member Laurie Hernandez as well as junior elites Ariana Agrapides and Jazmyn Foberg. The elites train under Coach Maggie Haney.

Click PLAY or watch it on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/embed/NTc1NzE4ODIz?related=1&autoplay=false

Watch more video of Workout Wednesday, Season 5 on gymnastike.org

Who needs a male coach? 🙂

You can WATCH AN EXTENDED VERSION OF THIS VIDEO in Gymnastike Gold …

I have to admit I’m getting tempted to pay for a year. Many subscribers have been enjoying the premium service.

The main reason I haven’t is my disappointment in the way they rolled out the paid service.

I believe it’s $147 for the year. Or 19.99/month and cancel at any time.

Russian officials said … athletes who win gold on Feb. 15, 2014 at the Sochi Olympics will receive medals that include meteorite fragments …

Select gold medals at Sochi Olympics will include meteorite fragments to commemorate Russian meteor strike

Chellsie Memmel:

I’m so excited to finally announce that I’m officially back in the gym training with the goal of being able to join the Senior Elite U.S. T&T Team to compete for Team USA & USA Gymnastics in power tumbling!!

My ultimate goal is to qualify to be named to the USA Gymnastics Senior Elite Trampoline and Tumbling Team and be able to compete at the World Cup and World Championships this fall.

Shocked?

Yea, so am I! I never imagined that at 25 years old I’d be working towards making another World team …

read more …

Click PLAY or watch her on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=148405392025927

You might fear that an older tumbler is risking Achilles injury. Happily, Power Tumblers suffer far fewer than do Artistic gymnasts.

Watch her backward handspring in 1992. VIDEO Age 3 1/2.

LIKE Chellsie on Facebook.

via Doug Davis

Grace Chiu on Facebook:

Rockin’ final night of Trampo & Acro at World Games in Cali. …

The most remarkable ovation/encore/they-brought-the-house-DOWN in any gymnastics event I’ve ever seen was for the Chinese men’s Acro group. There were flairs, Great Big Throws, and they nailed Everything!

The audience were on their feet before the final pose. … They did an encore on the tumbling run where they jump- roped their boy flyer AND threw him in a quintuple corkscrew AND caught him. Then, in the kiss ‘n cry, the arena did the Wave THREE times around! It was awesome! …

read more …

FIG:

… Top qualifiers China and Russia played in a league of their own, boasting massive difficulty and thrilling the audience with their spectacular pyramids and moves.

The final was free of penalties for all groups, but it was again China and Russia that produced the most stunning performances. In the end, a .21 margin was the difference between Gold and Silver, with the Chinese having the advantage. Ukraine outscored Belgium to proudly take the Bronze. …

The Gymnastics events at The World Games 2013 Cali continue with the Aerobics competitions on Friday and Saturday.

China’s dazzling acrobats edge out Russia for Group Gold

That link has results for Synchronised Trampoline, Double Mini and Acrobatic.

I can’t find a video of China, Russia or Belgium online. Leave a comment if you’ve seen one.

The Pennsylvania State University and college athletics mourns the passing of former men’s gymnastics head coach Gene Wettstone, a legend in the sport of gymnastics and the record-holder for most NCAA men’s team championships by a single coach in the sport.

Wettstone, who celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this month, passed away on Tuesday …

A member of the Penn State coaching staff for 36 seasons, Wettstone led the Nittany Lions to an astonishing nine NCAA team championships and 13 Eastern Intercollegiate Gymnastics League (EIGL) crowns. He compiled over 200 dual meet victories, coached his student-athletes to 35 individual national titles and produced 13 Olympians before retiring from coaching. …

Penn State Athletics

Click PLAY or see some Gene Wettstone photos on YouTube.

Of course he’ll be remembered in the U.S. Hall of Fame.

If you listen to the entire 90 minute GymCastics episode 42 you’ll hear a big announcement at the end. They’ve scheduled the first lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender gymnastics forum. Ever.

Episode 43 (next week) will feature a panel to discuss the issue vis-a-vis Gymnastics sports. Three athletes, one coach and GymCastic moderators.

Adding STAR power to the mix will be Alica Sacramone, an ally.

Timing is right.

BBC:

… For U.S. gay rights advocates, it’s been a good summer.

In June the Supreme Court allowed for federal recognition of same-sex marriages in states where such unions are legal. They also declined to challenge a lower court decision invalidating California’s ban on same-sex marriage.

But the fight for marriage equity is far from over. In the aftermath of the court decisions, battles have raged on a state level as advocates for gay marriage try to push ahead, while those who oppose it try to stand their ground.

“Thirty-seven states still have marriage restrictions …

States deal with gay marriage aftermath

It seems the tide has turned. A majority in the USA now support Gay marriage. American politicians, even Republicans, even are flip flopping as fast as they can. Trying to get ahead of the issue before coming elections.

Congratulations to LGBT advocates who feel their voice is finally being heard.

That said, I also support the rights of those who campaign against Gay marriage. Peter Vidmar included.

This is Democracy. The worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.

I’m assuming Stanford’s Josh Dixon will be one of the athletes.

related – Toronto Star – Olympic boycott isn’t the answer to Russia’s anti-gay policies by Ann Peel and former gymnast Kris Burley

Thanks Dave.