Gymnastics Coaching.com

Part 1 of 1994 Australian gymnastics documentary that looks at gymnasts training at the AIS in Canberra. Narrated by Monique Allen.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Monique credits then National Coach Ju Ping Tien for her success. And for changing forever the sport in Australia.

1991 World Championships in Indianapolis, the Australian women finished 6th as a team, the biggest “shocker” of the competition (aside from Pak Kim from North Korea winning Bars).

Many were highly impressed, including me. In fact, in 1993 I made a “research” trip to Australia to see how a “free” nation with a small population could be so successful. (I followed in the footsteps of coach Dana Brass who had done a similar tour the year prior.)

Ten days I spent at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, mightily impressed. However, over that period I was very much unimpressed with Ju Ping who seemed to coach inconsistently and in erratic ways. She’d storm into the gym, yell at a few kids and coaches, then storm out. It was a marked contrast to the Men’s Head Coach at the time, Warwick Forbes, calm, organized and focused.

I could be wrong about Ju Ping Tien. Many, many have told me that she did wonderful things during her era.

related – my Gymnastics in Australia ‘93 report

I hope to get back Down Under in January 2012.

The latest from JAO.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Don’t spend too much time perfecting Cast to horizontal for some age group competition. Do the minimum needed, and work towards the future. Bars is still the weakest apparatus in most gyms.

London 2012: My Olympic Dream by Beth Tweddle, originally planned to be available before Christmas, … looks like it won’t be shipped until January. 😦

I like the price, only £5.99 from Amazon.UK

Follow Beth’s website to see where it will be available elsewhere in the world.

via @ukflair

In the annual Pre-Season Coaches Poll:

1 UCLA
2 Alabama
3 Florida
4 Oklahoma
5 Utah
6 Nebraska
7 Oregon State
8 Stanford
9 Georgia
10 Michigan
11 Arkansas
12 L.S.U.
13 Penn State
14 Boise State

See the entire list on GymInfo

With Zamarripa back, I’m not surprised to see the Bruins atop the list. They should be a much prettier team too with Mattie Larson and Cassie Whitcomb coming in.

Stanford looks too low. But it’s nice to see so many coaches with confidence in Boise. See commentary on College Gym Fans.

(via Gymnastike)

Gymnastike is looking for interns at NCAA schools, by the way.

Andrew Zakonov sends word of new scoring software for trampoline competitions which is (currently) free.

It’s the online version of AContests.com software that has been used since 2009 around the world.

If interested in giving it a try, check the detailed online video tutorials here.

Then create an account and log in here.

Danell won P Bars at Worlds with a 6.4 difficulty. (VIDEO)

He’s trying to up that start value.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

He added a peach half and took out the diamidov.

Enrique Trabanino who owns Perfection Gymnastics in the Cincinnati area shares a drill to help perfect the body shape and technique of the front layout and front twisting. …

Click PLAY or watch it on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/embed/NTE3NTIxNzc1?related=1

Strength guru Chris Sommer of Gymnastics Bodies is offering his popular introductory course in the Sunshine State.

“Building the Gymnastic Body” (see right hand navigation) is the reference text.

Sun Jan 22nd, 2012
Carlson Gracie Jujitsu
Miami, Florida

… for all those who wish to obtain the benefits of gymnastics strength training including fitness enthusiasts, MMA, crossfit, parkour, free running, yoga, climbing and gymnastics professionals. Beginners are absolutely welcome …

details and registration

Click PLAY or watch one of his 9yr-old demonstrators on YouTube.

More Gymnastic Bodies videos on YouTube.

After a diagnosis of a germ cell tumor, a rare form of ovarian cancer, surgery and chemotherapy, Shannon realized more than ever that it is important to celebrate each and every day. She is focused on the future and is encouraging other cancer survivors to Seize the Day!

Shannon Miller Lifestyle

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

See more Seize the Day segments on Shannon’s YouTube channel.

(via Gymtruthteller)

Catalina Ponor is one of the best and most fascinating gymnasts of all time.

She’s outspoken. Independent. Fierce.

Ponor won 3 gold medals in Athens. Then, shortly after, lack of discipline got her banned from the National Training Centre.

If Romania is to get back on the Team podium in London, Catalina, now age-24, will be on that team.

Fangymnastics has an English language translation of a recent interview with Adevarul:

What made you come back after having retired?

I honestly missed this a lot. I missed the gym, training, especially competing. I really wanted to come back.

What was the defining moment in this decision?

I looked back and I told myself that if other gymnasts from other countries can keep doing gymnastics at that age, why not me? And I returned very focused, very decided. God helped me prove you can come back after 4 years.

How about your USA experience?

It was nice, I learned so much from the people there, I really enjoyed it. I liked the life there, how the girls and the people treated me. Unfortunately, I can say people outside Romania treat me with more respect than those here. Not all of us here know how to respect and value the person, in other countries they know how to appreciate this and keep their best people close.

Are you considering moving to the USA after retiring?

Yes, why not? …

read more – Catalina Ponor: “Worlds were 70% disappointment and 30% joy”

related – Couch Gymnast – Looking Back: Catalina Ponor