climbing acrobats

… 3,500 enthusiastic spectators came to celebrate the twelve finalists from nine countries …

In a thrilling superfinal on a dual boulder, on which the two best athletes climb simultaneously an identical route, the 2014 Overall World Cup Champion Akiyo Noguchi (JPN) and the reigning Climbing World Champion Overall, Sean McColl (CAN) claimed the title adidas ROCKSTARS 2014 …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Asiad MAG: Japan, Korea, China


1. Japan 355.475
2. South Korea 350.875
3. China 350.300
4. North Korea 338.575
5. Vietnam 333.500
6. Chinese Taipei 329.800

Japan had the top 3 AA scores in prelims. Seems Uchimura was not competing, despite the many news reports that he was planning to be there. Zou Kai did compete.

Japan take men´s team gymnastics gold in Asian Games

Full Twist has more. @theliukin commented on the LIVE stream.

Update: The Liukin posted a detailed write-up including a list of finalists.

Zou Kai was 1st on H Bar, 2nd on FX behind Shirai. Not Kenzo, his brother. 🙂

Slava Corn lays down the law

Slava Corn didn’t mince words. Speaking slowly and clearly before representatives of more than 50 Federations gathered at the Orientation Meeting at the 33rd World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Izmir (TUR) Friday morning, the FIG First Vice President (CAN) made it clear that FIG authorities and Technical Committee expect nothing less than clean, unbiased scores from the judges.

… Corn said. “We want this sport to be ethical. We want fairness from the judges and we want you the federation leaders to help us so the judges are free to make a good judgment, a fair judgment at the competition.”

Rhythmic’s reputation has been sullied since allegations of irregularities at a Rhythmic Gymnastics Judges Course in Bucharest (ROU) in December 2012. All judges attended a new course and were retested for this cycle. …

Rhytjmic TC members

FIG

related – Podium training begins at 2014 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships

‘nicest Beam elements’

Vitaly Golovko posted this in 2012. But I’m not sure he is the editor.

Click PLAY to see a Facebook version or watch a better quality version on vk.com. (change video quality to 360)

(via Dave Brubaker)

don’t feel like training?

New Zealand Gymnastics Haka

Coaching in New Zealand I learned to love the Haka. It’s a ritual challenge to your opponent, “in order to invoke the god of war and to discourage and frighten the enemy“.

Click PLAY or watch the Tall Blacks on YouTube. They are about to play the strongest challenger, Team USA.

I’m trying to convince Kiwi Men’s Head Coach David Phillips that his Small Blacks should throw down a Haka challenge in Nanning.

Perhaps at the banquet dance. 🙂