Gymnastics Coaching.com

We watched a choppy LIVE stream of the most anticipated season opener.

Click PLAY or watch a promo on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/embed/NDI2NzI4Njgx?related=1&autoplay=false

Watch more video of 2014 University of Florida Gymnastics on gymnastike.org

Balance Beam Situation posted a LIVE blog if you want to read the blow-by-blow:

… Well, that was not a particularly inspiring meet overall, which is normal for the first meet of the season, but I guess I expected better. We had a few individual highlights, a couple excellent vault from both teams and Danusia’s beam dismount, but a lot of sloppiness as well.

FINAL: Florida 196.650, UCLA 196.625

There were enough mistakes in this meet that both teams will feel fortunate to have received something in the mid 196s, which is a normal first meet score for this all-over-the-place performance. …

Danusia Francis was the star of the show for me. Sam Peszek is BACK and looking strong. I expect her to be ranked amongst the top AA competitors this season, once she starts competing Floor.

My heart just about stopped when Sloan fell off Beam. That simply doesn’t happen.

Kytra Hunter’s tumbling is insanely high and surprising. Hers instantly became my favourite routine of the season, so far.

My girl Sydney Sawa ended up anchoring Floor for the Bruins. And never looked better.

College Gym Fans:

Like the OU and UGA meet, scoring was generous, especially when medium sized errors were made.

It’s history.

Nush is the first gymnast ever to compete this crazy sequence.

http://www.snappytv.com/snap/danusia-francis-bb-dismount-about-florida-at-ucla-on-pac-12-los-angeles_fi?w=640&h=360

(via UCLA)

I met coach Udeh “Benson” Chukwudi last year in Nigeria at an FIG Age Group Development Camp.

He’s looking to bring 8 gymnasts and 3 coaches to for training in North America. They represent Anambra State Gymnastics Association.

Leave a comment if you might be able to host that Team for a week at your Gym. They have travel funding.

Or you could email Benson directly jamayigym (a) gmail.com

Nigeria is a large, comparatively wealthy nation. One that could and should be much stronger at Artistic Gymnastics.

For the first time in school history, the fifth-ranked LSU gymnastics squad eclipsed a 197 team score in a season opener as the Tigers rolled to a 197.200 in a victory over Centenary Friday night …

Junior Rheagan Courville captured the all-around title, the 14th all-around crown of her career, with a 39.600, while junior Jessie Jordan set a career-high with a 39.500 to place second in the all-around. …

Click PLAY or watch highlights on YouTube.

D-D wants a 198 this season. 🙂

related – Oklahoma went 197.700. But I saw a few reports stating that some scores were absurdly high. Leave a comment if you watched both LSU and OU.

(via College Gymnastics Board)

Shawn Johnson:

I created TBD because I wanted a fun and safe place for you all to come and feel good about yourselves and your body.

TBD is a place where we can talk about body image, wellness, and fitness in a healthy way.

… trade health/fitness tips, recipes, and to share your personal stories and journeys. We’re here to inspire and uplift each other! …

thebodydepartment.com

Looking good. No Tkachev 1/1, however.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Big Swing)

Especially for kids. Especially for girls. They shouldn’t have to face this kind of onslaught.

Click PLAY or watch “Beauty Pressure” on YouTube.

Parents should protect their children as much as possible from that kind of brainwashing.

via Eric Heppell

Update: Dave in the comments linked to a related article:

… Dove is owned and manufactured by Unilever, a multinational company. …

Ironically, Dove’s feel-good, body positive messages draw our attention away from Unilever’s other brands including Slim Fast (for weight loss) and Fair & Lovely (skin lightening cream). …

A brand for social change? The myth of Dove’s ‘real beauty’

A pet peeve is watching young kids do bad leg raises.

This adjustable board at IEGA in Idaho is ideal. The coach can drop it low enough for ANY gymnast to train with good form. Good technique.

Nice to see this trick making a comeback. 🙂

Nice to see Sarah Finnegan back in training, as well.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Tony Retrosi)