P Bar locking mechanisms FAIL

Coach Markos Baikas is frustrated.

Frustrated that Parallel Bar locking mechanisms fail so quickly. Frustrated that replacement parts from Spieth in Europe would cost a fortune.

P Bars

Instead, we’re trying to find a local machine shop that could rethread or, perhaps, replace the locking mechanism.

Leave a comment if you’ve any advice.

USA Qualified Elites

Split Leap has an unofficial updated list of American gymnasts who have qualified to Classics and USA Championships.

Jr Sydney Johnson-Scharpf from Brandy Johnson’s has personality. 🙂

Click PLAY or watch a March 1st interview on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/embed/OTk1Njk3Mjk2?related=1&autoplay=false

Watch more video of Sydney Johnson-Scharpf on gymnastike.org

year end Gymnastics parties

Where I live clubs are wrapping up. Starting summer training.

Here’s how Team Bounce celebrated.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

This is the same time of year when gymnasts decide whether or not to continue for another season.

I find June the most difficult month for motivation.

Have FUN in June.

flippers vs twisters

Slim objects twist more easily. Short objects flip more easily.

True.

But ASSuming that taller, slimmer gymnasts will twist well … or that short, wider shouldered gymnasts will flip well … is an over simplification.

Al Fong:

Although the training opportunities can be identical for learning how to twist or flip, some gymnasts favor one over the other. Nothing wrong there—it’s normal…especially for big skills like back double layouts, arabian double pike fronts, double doubles, triple twists, randi’s, etc….

On my current elite team, Sarah Finnegan is great at both flips and twists while Maddie Desch leans toward twisting. Brenna Dowell always prefers front tumbling over back tumbling while Sabrina Vega has no preference.

read more …

Click PLAY or watch Sabrina Vega at Worlds 2011 on YouTube.

France vs Romania Jr Finals

VAULT
1. Andreea Munteanu (ROU), 14.425
2. Louise Vanhille (FRA), 13.65
3. Laura Jurca (ROU), 13.5

BARS
1. Andreea Iridon (ROU), 14.35
2. Madalena Blendea (ROU), 13.65
3. Claire Martin (FRA), 13.4
3. Louise Vanhille (FRA), 13.4

BEAM
1. Andreea Munteanu (ROU), 14.4
2. Andreea Iridon (ROU), 14.25
3. Madalina Blendea (ROU), 14.0

FLOOR
1. Andreea Munteanu (ROU), 14.35
2. Andreea Iridon (ROU), 13.95
3. Claire Martin (FRA), 13.9
3. Silvia Zarzu (ROU), 13.9

Bea Gheorghisor – Report: France vs Romania (junior)

Here’s Iridon’s winning Jr Bar routine.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

More videos.

France vs Romania Jr


1. Andreea Munteanu 55.6
2. Claire Martin 53.8
3. Andreea Iridon 53.3

Not too surprisingly, Romania came out on top, though both teams had their fair share of falls off uneven bars and balance beam. …

This very young Romanian team, under the guidance of Cristian Moldovan and Adela Popa, has a ton of potential — in fact, they may be the best junior team in Europe right now — but they are obviously still growing into their routines and difficulty. …

Where they have made progress is on uneven bars. Every team member was wearing grips, which has obviously made a huge difference in the team’s preparation on what has long been Romania’s worst event. …

Examiner – Notes on the France-Romania Junior women’s matchup

Results and finalists.

Click PLAY or watch Andreea’s Beam on YouTube.

Here’s her Floor. (VIDEO)

She was the only Junior to compete DTY. (VIDEO)

Why the Olympics?

I keep reading online how the Olympics MUST have all the very best athletes. That every medal contender must be there.

I keep reading that more sports must be added. That existing sports — especially gymnastics — needs more athletes at the Games.

… And I don’t disagree.

But the Olympics is about far, far more than whether Vika or Gabby should have won the AA.

Just watch. 🙂

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

By using sport as a tool for social change, the IOC and its partners implement various activities across the globe in fields such as humanitarian assistance, peace-building, education, gender equality, the environment and the fight against HIV/AIDS, thereby contributing to the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

This is why the IOC is supporting the FIG Age Group Development Program for developing nations.