Frederick Nicolas retires from Circus

One of the top performers is finished. An ironman, Fred never missed a show over 1638 in La Reve and 1255 for Viva Elvis.

Thanks and congratulations to the 1996 Olympian from France.

What does a guy do after all those years? All those standing ovations?

He’s going to coach Artistic women at Gymnastics Adventure in Canada. Bon chance.

fredericknicolas.com

He Kexin’s last meet 2013

Couch Gymnast has a terrific 2-part series based on interviews after London.

From the little girl who many assumed to be underage in Beijing, she ended up one of the gymnasts many cheered in London.

If she had missed — as a specialist — it would have been sad. 😦

… ‘It’s two years since I last stood on the medal pedestal so I really hoped that I would be able to do so here in London. It doesn’t matter if its gold, silver or bronze I just wanted to stand on the pedestal again.’ …

… ‘I took the last spot on the team. I cherish this opportunity and am thankful to Coach Lu for using me. Because they chose me, they carried a huge burden. I am very happy to be able to do this for them.’…

she thought her biggest competitor would be Tweddle but Mustafina performed very well too. …

He Kexin Part One: “The Road to these Olympics Has Been Fraught…”

… for four major competitions I have drawn to go first …

Interviewer: Did the pressure come from yourself or your coaches?

He Kexin: Both. From myself it’s because I have failed too many times. …

Interviewer: Who is your idol?

He Kexin: I think Zhou Kai…..I mean not that kind of idol but I really admire his mental/ emotional capacity and the way he can control himself in competition

The interviewer asks her about her future plans.

He Kexin: After this? After I go back to Beijing? I will rest a few days, then its time to resume training for next year’s Nationals. After that I will retire. And then I will go to university.

He Kexin Part Two: “I Say it’s Okay, but in my Heart I Still Care”.

Marcus and others corrected me, explaining that the final competition she speaks of is the “2013 National Games“, held every 4yrs, not these annual Championships upcoming:

Chinese Nationals:

September 18th: MAG Podium Training
September 19th: WAG Podium Training
September 20th: MAG Qualification & AA
September 21st: WAG Qualification & AA
September 22nd: Event Finals – MAG FX, PH & SR. WAG VT & UB
September 23rd: Event Finals – MAG VT, PB & HB. WAG BB & FX

I’m already looking forward to He’s future tell-all biography.

(via Brigid Couch Gymnast McCarthy on Facebook)

Produnova v Pena

The handspring double front on Vault is named for Yelena Produnova.

It was amazing at the 1999 World University Games.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

But in the 1999 Worlds Vault Event Finals, Yelena was not much better than Pena‘s best.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

certified personal trainers earning $53,000?

Sounds high.

As the American waistline continues its spread, fitness is shaping up as one of the hottest careers of this tepid economic recovery.

Employment of fitness trainers and instructors is expected to grow by a brisk 24 percent in the decade to 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics …

Despite the shaky economy, health club membership is up more than 10 percent over the past three years, according to IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. …

Bryan said the average salary for a certified personal trainer is about $53,000 and rising. A high school diploma is sufficient to begin a career in fitness, he added, although more than two-thirds of professionals have college degrees. …

FOX – Obesity epidemic propels fitness as career

Of course children’s fitness training is critical.

“… nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese …”.

(via gymfinity)

Guiness Record – Eldest Gymnast

… nearly 87 years old Johanna Quaas from Halle, Germany, is now the oldest active gymnast of the world!

Today she presented her parallel bars exercise at the official press conference of the brand new 2013 issue of GUINESS WORLD RECORDS … in the Tower Hotel of London.

… Remarkably the retired PE teacher from Leipzig; Germany only began to train at gymnastics in her 50s taking part in her first competition at the age of 56.

Johanna says “it is great feeling to be included and I hope the record inspires others to realise it’s never too late.”

Keep watching to meet the world’s Heaviest Sportswoman 203.21 kg (448lb).

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Johanna knows her elbows are a little bent on that “planche”. She’s working on it. 🙂

Claudia Kohl in Berlin

Former professional dancer Claudia Kohl, now in Berlin, is opening a studio called “The Artists Coaching Place”. She’s been teaching artists for the past 16yrs in Alexander Technique and her own movement method.

If you aren’t in Berlin — but are interested — a 12wk webinar begins Oct 12th:

Week I to IV – Start Smart Connection:
Start Smart Connection: Creative Cleanse

Week V to VIII – Heart Connection:
Step Into My Power

Week IX to XII – Art Connection:
Creative Joy

details

Shannay Gentles – Manna to handstand

The best Manna variation on Beam so far has been Shannay from Jamaica.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Here the entire routine from the WOGA competition 2006. (VIDEO)

So easy for her, it’s at the end. Wow.

MAG Floor – Atenzi

Ged Atzeni is an Aussie gymnast, working variations of Manna.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Cool.

Cirque du Soleil needs more Manna in their performances. Breakdance, too.

Manna – shoot handstand

A young gymnast from Kazakhstan … Universiade 2009 training.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Thanks Mike.

The best resource online for Manna training tutorials is Gymnastic Bodies. (VIDEOS)