Marian Dragulescu back competing

Marian seems pretty serious about his latest comeback. And he can still stick his signature vault.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Watch his Floor at Israel Cup (VIDEO)

related – GymCastic 164: Marian Dragulescu

via Nico on GymFever2012

10 Rhythmic nations qualify for Rio

The new-look Russian Group (Diana Borisova, Daria Kleshcheva, Anastasiia Maksimova, Sofya Skomorokh, Anastasiia Tartareva and Maria Tolkacheva) posted the highest scores for both of its routines with the Five Ribbons (18.016) and Clubs and Hoops (18.250) for a total of 36.266, more than half a point above 2014 World champions Bulgaria (35.583).

… 10 countries were named as having qualified for the Rhythmic Group competition at next summer’s Olympic Games in Rio: Russia, Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Japan, Israel, Belarus, China, the United States and Ukraine. Seven other nations — Uzbekistan, Germany, Azerbaijan, Greece, Finland, Brazil and France — will battle for the final qualification spots at the Olympic Test Event next April. …

Russia reigns over Group All-around final at Stuttgart Worlds

https://twitter.com/officialFIG/status/642732991719047168/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Romania-France Friendly

1 Larisa Iordache – Romania 58.150
2 Ana Maria Ocolisan – Romania 56.850
3 Marine Brevet – France 55.850

Gymternet has full results.

Catalina Ponor went 14.850 DTY on Vault, 14.900 on Beam in her first competition since the Olympics.

Click PLAY or watch Catalina’s Beam on YouTube. (poor video quality)

Yana Kudryavtseva documentary

An interview prior to winning her 3rd World individual championship.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – FIG Rhythmic Worlds microsite.

Thanks Blythe.

USA National Team – bridges

See the 2014 photo on Facebook.

Many talent ID programs test back bridge. To predict talent.

Yet many some of the best gymnasts in the world have a poor bridge. Especially the most powerful. I recall a Russian National Power Tumbling coach telling us that he did not allow bridges in his Gym. His 3 time world champion did not know HOW to do a bridge. (We tested her.)

The only two Olympians to come out of my region were the two contenders with the worst bridges.

Having a poor bridge makes a few skills more difficult. Some movements less aesthetic.

But having a poor bridge does NOT mean lack of talent for Artistic Gymnastics. This is one of several reasons I hate the handstand to limber kick over in the WAG J.O. Compulsories.

related – Wayne Goldsmith – Talent Identification in the Western World – Over funded and Over rated.

As always, Goldsmith overstates. But his main point is valid. Coaches should be suspicious of “talent ID” programs. I like them for monitoring progress in-gym, but there are plenty of risks in putting too much emphasis on results.

Men’s NCAA Championships April 14-16, 2016

Normally even more exciting than the women’s meet, if you can get to Ohio State … get to Ohio State.

We NEED to support Men’s Collegiate Gymnastics in every way we can.

University of Minnesota Head Coach Mike Burns:

On the second day of the Men’s Competition at the 2015 P&G Championships, there were 39 gymnasts competing. Here’s a quick breakdown of those 39 gymnasts:

NCAA logo 30016 are alumni of an NCAA Program
15 are current members of an NCAA Program
4 are starting their NCAA careers this fall
3 are non-NCAA gymnasts
1 is a Junior in High School

89.7% of all the male gymnasts on Day 2 of P&G’s are current, former, or soon-to-be NCAA student-athletes. …

… With 16 programs still in existence we are teetering on the precipice of possible extinction. We have been teetering here for a while – close to 20 years now – and we are still here. …

Part of the solution right now is pretty simple – be part of the largest crowd to attend an NCAA Championships since the early 80’s when Nebraska had over 25,000 fans attend the Championships they hosted. I had the good fortune to compete in the 1980 NCAA Event Finals in front of a packed house at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Huge crowd, great experience!! We need that again and I believe we can do it with your help. …

Stick it Media: NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Update From Coach Mike Burns

Rhythmic individuals qualify for Rio

Russian Yana Kudryavtseva (RUS) captured her third consecutive World All-around title. Russia wins an individual spot at the 2016 Olympics. They can send anyone they like in that spot. (They’ll send Yana. She’s magic. 🙂 )

Following the Individual All-around final of the 34th Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships held Friday, September 11, 2015, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) herewith confirms the lists of qualifiers for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the 2016 Olympic Test Event, and the 2017 World Games for individual Rhythmic gymnasts.

Nations that advance to the 2016 Olympic Test Event will have a second chance to secure an Olympic berth in individual Rhythmic Gymnastics at the competition, to be held April 22-24 in Rio.

FIG

OLYMPIC Qualifiers -- individuals at Worlds

related – A third time, with charm: Yana Kudryavtseva (RUS) takes third straight Rhythmic World All-around title

work in Nova Scotia

Gymnastics Nova Scotia (Canada) is inviting applications for the full-time position of TECHNICAL DIRECTOR. This position will involve work with other staff, volunteers and member clubs in the areas of Coaching, Athlete and Club Development.

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