Marian Dragulescu … again

Another year, another comeback by hall of fame Romanian gymnast Marian Dragulescu.

GymNiceTic links to the interview with Marian on GYMmedia.

Though he just competed in October, GymNiceTic found that he’s listed in the FIG gymnast-database as “retired“.

He doesn’t want to get reprimanded, again.

Vanessa Zamarripa interview

John Crumlish interviewed the injured UCLA and USA National Team member for IG:

She sounds very upbeat …

read it here – IG Online Interview: Vanessa Zamarripa

I was surprised to hear the Achilles went on a punch layout. More often it’s on a BIG TRICK with maximum force. (e.g. double Arabian)

Nastia Liukin Supergirl meets

The 18 qualifiers included in the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup Series are:

CGA Parents Club Coaches Spectacular, Covington, Ky., Jan. 14-16
Folger’s New Year Invitational, Wichita, Kan., Jan. 14-16
Lady Luck Invitational, Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 14-16
Flip Fest Invitational, Knoxville, Tenn., Jan. 14-17
Circle of Stars, Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 21-23
Wisconsin Dells Gymnastics Vacation Classic, Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Jan. 28-30
Parkettes Invitational, Allentown, Pa., Jan. 28-30
Metroplex Challenge, Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 29-30
2011 Rock-n-Roll Classic, Broadview Heights, Ohio, Feb. 4-6
Pikes Peak Cup, Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 4-6
The 37th Annual Fiesta Bowl, Chandler, Ariz., Feb. 4-6
IGI Chicago Style Meet, Chicago, Ill., Feb. 11-13
Buckeye Classic, Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 18-20
Cereal City Classic, Kalamazoo, Mich., Feb. 18-20
Presidential Classic, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Feb. 18-20
Excalibur Cup, Virginia Beach, Va., Feb. 18-20
WOGA Classic, Frisco, Texas, Feb. 19-20
Classic Rock Invitational, Glendale, Ariz., Feb. 19-21

The second annual Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup is held the evening prior to the prestigious AT&T American Cup, using the event’s podium. This year’s Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup will be televised live on Universal Sports. For more information on qualifiers, results and photos from each invitational, go to www.nastialiukinsupergirlcup.com.

more details on USAG

Double Front likes Supergirl, as do I. It’s the best thing Nastia’s done to give back to the sport.

get your kids off the couch

4000+ gyms and youth clubs (Gymnastics, Martial Arts, Dance, Swimming, etc.) are already listed in a database hosted by getyourkidsoffthecouch.com.

Are you in it?

Check out the website – getyourkidsoffthecouch.com

This service is for the USA only, for now. You search by zip code.

It’s free for a basic listing. There are premium monthly plans if you want to use the site to advertise and promote.

Thank Brian Foster for inventing this terrific online tool.

Couch Gymnast Awards: Part 2

Fill in the blanks with your predictions:

Dark Horse of the Year = __________

Most Elegant Gymnast of the Year = __________

Comeback of the Year = __________ not Shawn Johnson 🙂

Honorable Mention = __________
… award a gymnasts who, despite not winning a major medal, should be recognized for their incredible efforts …

Unluckiest Gymnast of the Year = __________

Toughest Cookie of the Year = __________

Specialist of the Year = __________

For the answers check Couch Gymnast Awards: Part 2

missed the meet – BAD weather

On Facebook I saw that a number of coaches decided not to drive to a competition last weekend in Alberta due to bad roads.

That surprised me as we Canucks are normally unfazed by blizzard conditions.

Then I checked the photos online. Here’s the Trans-Canada highway:

more photos

Many years ago we had 10 gymnasts miss a competition in Montreal due to airports being fogged in. We finally got there for the Sunday athletes clinic, missing the Friday / Saturday competition completely.

What’s the worst weather related mishap you’ve experienced?

It could be worse, Canada. Allstar Gymnastics in Toowoomba, Australia was recently flooded out of their gym. Check the video from Jan. 10th.

There’s bad weather all around the world right now.

Canadian gymnasts in Mexico

Somebody is staying out of the rotten weather.

Melanie posted this pic of Canadian gymnasts on the beach in Mexico.

Jr. Champion Sabrina Gill won the meet, whatever it was.

Frank Sahlein – 3rd Level Consulting

Frank Sahlein is a business guru out of Boise, Idaho.

… a regular presenter on business trends and topics at state, regional and national congresses since 1982. He travels extensively, consulting with 3rd Level clients.

In August, 2009 Frank received the National Business Leader Award from USA Gymnastics for the second time. Frank has delivered business presentations for USA Gymnastics, the US Swim School Association, the Dance Studio Pro Seminars, the Martial Arts Supershow and various cheerleading associations. …

If you’re looking at opening a new gym, consult Frank.

The Americans are best in the world at the business of gymnastics. His company now has representatives in the USA, Canada, Australia and Mexico.

Contact Frank via 3rd Level Consulting if you want to know more.

Sacramone v Mustafina v Nabieva

ItsNastiaFan101 posted a simultaneous comparison of 3 vaulters in the World Championships finals.

Sacramone wins.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Superior block, superior Height, superior Form

Agreed. There should be much more differential on execution.

… Alicia is very close to the line on landing, though.

Here’s Sacramone v Mustafina.