Gymnastics Coaching.com

William and Mary Men’s Gymnastics promotional video for the upcoming 2012 season. …

First meet is Jan. 21st.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I like the haka at 2min 20sec.

One of the Chinese coaches complained about the O2 venue calling the colour scheme “depressing“.

Ws van Wijk pulled up images of the Beijing Test Meet. And the venue once dressed for Olympics.

Seems it’s normal procedure to save the final decorating for the BIG event.

Hopefully they’ll upgrade the couch, as well. 🙂

Chris’ touching tribute to the retiring Romanian gymnast.

Going to miss Ana’s gymnastics, she was one of those special athletes that just about all gymnastics fans could agree upon. Thank you Ana for not letting the sport forget about the artistry, we will always miss you but never forget you!

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

“Savona“, as she’s called, is one of the top Canadian gymnasts, having enjoyed success at Rotterdam Worlds, Pan-Ams Mexico, Wild Rose and Gymnix. She was injured last summer competing at the Tokyo Cup and has just returned to full training.

GC: You’ve now had ACL surgery on both knees. How does this recovery compare with your first?

My first ACL was tough for me, but it was a different kind of surgery. Back in May 2008, I had surgery on my right knee, and they used my patella tendon to replace the ACL. That recovery was difficult because I had to let the screws / fractures heal into my bones, as well as let my patella tendon heal. It was 6 months before I was able to do anything!

August 2011 — after the injury at Tokyo Cup — I had surgery on my left knee. Instead of replacing the ACL using my own tissue, I got an allograft. Healing has been much faster and far less painful. It’s been only 5 months since surgery and I’m able to do SO MUCH already.

At 5 months with my other knee, I could barely run. Having just been cleared to train, I can already vault!

I do feel some pain, but it is nothing compared to the first knee. (Which is perfect now, by the way.) I expect to be back at 100% relatively soon.

GC: Mustafina had a similar injury a few months before you. Are there any other gymnasts you’ve known who’ve had to come back?

My coach, Kelly Manjak, tells me of the many gymnasts he’s known to come back 100%. Aliya will do it — and I will too.

GC: What’s the hardest thing about recovery?

Personally, the hardest thing is holding myself back. When I feel fresh and powerful, I, as do other gymnasts, feel the need and urge to do more and push myself beyond what I am supposed to do.

Another thing I found difficult this time, was finding things to do in my spare time. Training had many limitations, and my cardio exercises often depended on how strong my knee felt that day.

Also, I only have/had the heart for gymnastics, so I really had to force myself to exercise in other ways even though I hated doing so.

Are there any upsides?

The only good thing about having had 2 knee surgeries is that after the first one, I knew what to expect: what to do, what not to do and when I should do what. I’ve played it safe knowing that the main goal is the 2012 Olympics.

What is your “recovery” timeline for 2012? … When do you want to compete?

I really want to be able to compete at Elite Canada. If I can make that my first meet, even if I compete only some apparatus, that would mark the beginning of my 2012 year. I do not expect to be perfect my first few meets, I just want to put myself out there and get back to competing. Aliya’s first meet back was inspiring. I’d love to do the same thing.

I will be my only judge and no one can tell me otherwise. Give me time and I will make sure that I prepare myself for the most important meets, those that determine the Canadian Olympic team!

(We qualified in London! Thanks Team!)

GC: Are you interested in continuing to College gymnastics?

I’m focused on Olympics first, but I do aspire to compete in the NCAA! I have my sights set on a few Universities, and will apply for a scholarship to the school that’s best for me. And best for them.

GC … Why are you online so much? ?

I am ALWAYS online because (as many may know), I am a very social person. Sometimes I do not get the chance to see my friends or talk to them because I am busy with gym and school, so I take advantage of the World Wide Web to connect with the world beyond my reach! I have gymnastics friends all over the world.

Jessica was just cleared by medical for full training.

Click PLAY or watch day 3 of full training on YouTube.

Kyle Shewfelt sees Canada in the top 8 at Olympics. With a healthy Savona, I’d bump that up to top 6. This team could have everything: experience, leadership and good balance on all 4 apparatus.

International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) executive member Brian Stocks loves the O2 arena, venue for the London Olympics.

But a Chinese coach at Test Meet complained about the red GYMNOVA matting and the depressing colour scheme. It is inferior to Beijing and Athens, but I wouldn’t call it depressing.

I heard a rumour that GYMNOVA is considering replacing the red mats with a darker colour. That would be a shame.

Photographer Eileen Langsley:

… Whilst some improvements have been made since the 02 Arena staged the 2009 World Championships, there has been a real decline in the standard of the lighting. …

Not only was there a low level of light but there were some very strange colour casts – possibly the result of the running down of the lamps as they age. They are due to be replaced for the Olympics but it was a pity that the new ones weren’t in place for this event. …

Where Sport Meets Art – Another step on the Olympic journey.

That link has a photo essay on the victorious host team.

Alex Tighe put together a Temple pre-season promo video with a great theme: underdogs will prove themselves this season.

He could have used the Rocky theme as Temple is in Philadelphia.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Good luck Owls.

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Ben Ferguson (USA) is triumphant in a spectacular final! – Innsbruck 2012 Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

See more videos on the innsbruck2012 YouTube channel.

Based on Troester.com GymInfo.

The first rankings for the 2012 NCAA Gymnastics season are out! Many teams around the country opened their season this past weekend. A few top teams like Utah, Arkansas, UCLA, Georgia, and Oklahoma have competed twice. …

1 Nebraska
2 Utah
3 Arkansas
4 Oregon State
5. Alabama
6 Georgia
7 UCLA
8 Florida
9 Penn State
10 Oklahoma
11 Michigan
12 Ohio State

Gymnastike

As much as I’d like to congratulate Dan Kendig and the Nebraska team, it’s too early to put much stock into this ranking. But many are very excited about one new Cornhusker …

… Nebraska freshman Jessie DeZiel broke the freshman all-around record for a season-opening meet with a 39.575. DeZiel was just .250 off the Husker all-around record of 39.825 set by Richelle Simpson in 2003. DeZiel also won the floor exercise with a 9.925.

“She warmed up just OK, and kind of halfway did some things, but when the flag went up, she was all business,” Kendig said. “She is that talented, and I am sure hoping she can stay that way.”

DeZiel competed in the Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, helping the American team to the gold medal. …

Husker Extra

Recall that Richelle Simpson was an NCAA AA Champion.

One more bizarre stat. Nebraska right now has the TOP 4 AA gymnasts. That must be a first.

They competed only 7 gymnasts, a feat called by Balance Beam Situation both impressive and unsustainable.

I attended Renmore Gymnastics Level 1 Regionals Qualifier. This is the first level for beginner girls in Ireland, competition held only for Floor and Vault.

FUN is highest priority.

Scoring was done with pencil and paper. Gymnasts flashed the scores manually. No computer errors at this competition!

more photos

Group is my favourite of the Rhythmic disciplines. Of the teams competing the Olympic Test Meet London, Spain finished prelims with the highest score.

Rhythmic Gymnastics. Spain, 5 Balls – : 26.900 (Difficulty : 9.000, Artistic : 9.000, Execution : 8.900). Rank : 1

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Here’s the FIG wrap-up post for day 1 competition – Rhythmic gymnasts sparkle at Greenwich. It has results and links to more photos / videos.