Men’s World Championships have BEGUN

The main Paris Olympics qualifier.

More than half of the Artistic gymnasts who compete at Paris 2024 will earn their Olympic ticket in Antwerp. …

… men’s Team and Individual qualification on 30 September-1 October, with the women taking the floor for qualification on 1 and 2 October. …

Nine men’s and women’s teams will qualify for Paris 2024 during the qualification round in Antwerp, joining the three teams already qualified in 2022 …

Three of the six 2022 apparatus World champions — Rhys McClenaghan (IRL, Pommel Horse), Adem Asil (TUR, Still Rings), and Artur Davtyan (ARM, Vault) — are returning to Belgium in search of more gold. …

FIG – 14 World titles and Olympic qualification up for grabs at Artistic Worlds in Antwerp

Click PLAY or watch a preview on YouTube.

Mahdi Olfati – YDP Vault

Iranian Mahdi Olfati won the 1st Gymnastics medal in Asian Games history. Silver on Vault.

We want a showdown …

Mahdi vs Simone.

Simone’s form is better. But Mahdi might have more total height / distance relative to their respective heights and table height.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

women’s podium training is DONE

The final flight in the qualifying round will have FRANCE and Mélanie on Floor confirming their qualification to PARIS. At the same time, China will be finishing on Beam. An awesome finish.

I felt there were fewer injuries in podium training this year. Gymnasts healthier on arrival. Better prepared to hit the routines intended.

Watch a montage from WAG day 2 podium on YouTube.

FIG video team is crushing

The FIG media team in Antwerp have delivered some of the most interesting and original VIDEOS from any World Championships.

Check this freeze frame work, for example.

(I asked about drones in future. Too noisy at this point. But never say never. We’ll have drones at Worlds in the not-too-distant future.)

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.

Brazil will medal at Worlds

That’s Spencer’s prediction. And the prediction of many, including me.

IF Flavia and Rebeca are at full strength, I’m thinking Brazil will be 2nd after USA.

GBR with Jessica Gadirova is fantastic, of course, but had major problems on Bars during podium training. To my eyes, Brazil looks better prepared to hit routines.

Also, GBR has already qualified to Paris.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Kaylia Nemour – Bars

A World Champion from Algeria?

It could happen in 2023. #history

Podium training Antwerp.

LIU Yang – age 29

The Tokyo Olympic Rings champion:


On why he keeps doing gymnastics at the age of 29 after winning gold in the Tokyo Olympics:

“I have been thinking about this question frequently. I have been doing gymnastics for the past 24 years. I love gymnastics so much and I think I would really miss it if I decided to retire.

I will do it until the day I can no longer do it.

So age is not a consideration.”

Antwerp Gymnastics 2023

Oleg interview

Happy to be back, Oleg — one of the greatest AA gymnasts all-time — feels like a newbie at Worlds. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.