2012 Olympic hopeful John Orozco has decided to go pro.
Orozco, one of the top U.S. men at the 2011 Worlds (5th all-around, 2nd all around after team prelims) made the decision to give up his NCAA eligibility — and future scholarship opportunities — in order to accept prize money and fees for appearances.
“It was a pretty tough decision for me, but I’ve finally made up my mind,” Orozco tweeted Sunday …
Good move. John’s young. Good. Likeable. He could be on National Team for the next 10yrs, easily enough time to earn more than he would have by taking an NCAA scholarship. Much more time than the WAG girls.
Good for John. Bad for the NCAA. He would have been a big draw in Collegiate competition.
… Can you quit taking yourself so seriously? Can you quit taking the fun out of the sport?
Gymnastics is Inherently Fun – Don’t Mess It Up
Yes, the fun. That innate quality, that the sport of gymnastics had before you were ever involved in it. Flying through the air, flipping and twisting is what drives those young gymnasts through the doors of the gyms of America. …
… Look around. How many fifteen and sixteen year olds do you have in your gym? Why? …
Despite missing his Worlds Finals routine (perhaps the most ‘difficult’ of all time) and not qualifying for the Olympics as one of the top 3, Epke was still named the best of the Dutch sportsmen for the second time.
It featured demos from MAG, WAG, Acrobatic, Rhythmic and Aerobic. Impressive.
The highlight for me was a contest I’d never seen before. Groups of kids were given a pie plate filled with flour. Winners were the group that could blow all the flour off the plate first.
My personal thanks to Secretary General Ms. Bettina Pou. Our Olympic Solidarity event would never have happened but for her efficient, energetic commitment to the project.
I love Christmas. But no nation loves Christmas more than the Philippines. They start festivities in September!
If you are ever visiting this tropical nation, let me know. They are happy to have visitors at the National Training Centre. I’ll introduce you.
The host nation swept the remaining events Sunday as the Toyota International concluded, wrapping up a successful year of major events in Japan.
… The competition ended the year on a happy note for Japan, which suffered major tragedy in March with the massive earthquake and tsunami. The country was at risk for losing the world championships due to concern over radiation from damaged nuclear facilities, but staged a successful championships in Tokyo, where Uchimura became the first male gymnast to win a third world all-around crown. In addition to October’s worlds, Japan also played host to the Japan Cup in July, International Juniors in September and FIG World Cup in November.
She has a real shot at making the team. Top 2 highest start values on Bars are priority 1 and 2 for Marta. I expect those would be Nastia and Gabby. USA has a lot of depth to choose from on the other apparatus. Many good AAs.
There’s a long way to go yet, though. Nastia has to avoid injury too, of course.
And nobody has much confidence in that Bars dismount. I wish she’d go back to double layout.
… personally, I’d try to skip the belt stage. Instead SPOT Flyaway to land on the feet on the Bar. Once that’s no big deal, the gymnast is psychologically ready. 🙂
Injuries can range from as small as a rip to the obvious fractures and torn ligaments and ruptured tendons. Each athlete will deal with their injury differently. Some have a very high tolerance for pain while others have a relatively low threshold.
I have had gymnasts who when they ripped you would have thought that someone had taken a blow torch to their hand and other gymnasts who continued to work out on what we discovered was a broken bone in her ankle. …
Following an injury we all want the gymnasts to return to practice and be part of the group. It is good for their psychological state …
I like to see the girls back at their normal practice schedule even if hours are reduced. …
Injured athletes, if possible, should come to the gym each practice day, but stay only about half as long as the rest of their group. Do what they can still do — then go home.
It’s really difficult to tell on YouTube how that’s going to work LIVE. But I’ve got a strong feeling this will be one of the top routines in College.
Very original.
Aisha Gerber’s is original and excellent too. (VIDEO) Choreography that actually syncs with the music — what a concept. Aisha gets a thumbs up for Artistry from senior FIG Judge Avril Enslow.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 