The morning qualification session of Ghent Challenger Cup finished; here the finalists and reserves for tomorrow finals on vault and uneven bars (WAG); and floor, pommel horse and rings (MAG).
Canadian gymnast Laura-Ann Chong finished her eligibility with Oregon State last season, returning to train with her club coach, David Kenwright, at Flicka. I stopped by the gym to chat with David and his partner coach Dorina Stan.
We were lucky enough to have Laura-Ann demonstrate at BC Congress last weekend for clinician Steve Arkell from Gymnastics Plus in Panama City, Florida.
David said the biggest problem transitioning back to FIG from NCAA is getting used to ‘narrow’ Bars.
We talked about a potentialnew model for elite performance: Older girls retire → Completely recover medically → … Then train specifically for one BIG competition. Like Chellsie Memmel.
The psychology of the comeback is easier than trying to ‘stay on top’ as one of the National Team members.
Another of David’s gymnasts was at Congress too, Kate Richardson, but not to announce she was coming out of retirement.
The topic drew only a small group of coaches, resulting in a brainstorming session. I posted the resulting notes on RecGymnastics.com
My main conclusion was that coaches from socialist nations like Canada are mostly ignorant when it comes to business and career planning. The USA has many experts in that field. My strongest advice for coaches is to bring in an expert like Frank Sahlein, Founder and CEO of 3rd Level Consulting.
I’ll be taking my own advice, consulting with Frank this Fall.
Based on the premise that people are made to move, Motion Evolution integrates physical literacy, nutrition education, brain-body science, personal best and play, making the program a complete wellness package.
Submitting bids to the International Olympic Committee by Friday’s deadline were Rome; Madrid; Tokyo; Istanbul; Doha, Qatar; and Baku, Azerbaijan. …
Doha is proposing to hold the games in September and October, outside the traditional July-August dates, to avoid the blistering summer temperatures in the Gulf country. …
The IOC will select the host city by secret ballot on Sept. 7, 2013, in Buenos Aires. …
Rodriguez F
Azarian Maltese F
Van Gelder E
Balandin II E
Layed out Yamawaki E
Back uprise Maltese E
Maltese press to inverted cross E
Layed out Honma to Hanstand D
O’neill E
Layed out double double F