Gymnastics Coaching.com

… Why is it that men’s gymnastics is thriving, while women’s appears to be on a downward spiral? Some people here (myself included) noted that the men’s competition at Worlds was far more exciting than the women’s. Was this an isolated incident or is it the beginning of a trend? Even going back every single event after the olympics, the men have given us better execution, more difficulty, and a lot more to cheer for.

In my honest opinion, WAG has been stagnant for awhile now, and recently has reached an all time low. Girls are doing the same skills they did 20 years ago, most of them with far worse execution. …

read more from medstudent24 – MAG vs WAG

And be sure to skim the responses on that thread.

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medstudent24 is basically right. The Men have handled the demands of the open ended code much better than have the young women.

The code of points is most to blame if you feel as I do that the depth and quality of the best gymnasts in the world is in decline. The only good news is that World’s were much less horrendous and dangerous than I feared.

Who is paid more?

… Tweddle and Button became world champions within a few hours of each other. Tweddle was first, winning the floor final at the world gymnastic championships at the O2 Arena and proving her all-round credentials in her less-favoured discipline. …

On the other side of the world, in São Paulo, Button clinched the drivers’ championship by finishing fifth in the Brazilian grand prix. …

Jenson Button won’t be happy with making about US$18 million / year. He’s in the middle of serious contract negotiations for much, much more.

Beth?

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About £25,000 / year ($41,000) … and a few perks here and there.

… If I was doing this for fame or money I would have retired a long time ago,” Beth Tweddle says coolly as she compares herself to her fellow world champion, Jenson Button. …

Beth Tweddle: ‘I’m addicted to it. It’s in my blood to be a gymnast’

Whoop.

I still can’t get too excited about today’s SPECTACULAR.

Olympians Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin join us again for this spectular event. This year’s musical host is Ashley Tisdale, who starred in Disney High School Musical movies.

NASTIA LIUKIN
SAMANTHA PESZEK
SHAWN JOHNSON
RAJ BHAVSAR
COURTNEY KUPET
JONATHAN HORTON
IVAN IVANKOV

Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City, South Dakota – Progressive Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular

High resolution PDF version linked from GymnasticsTrainingTips.com.

Here’s how Andrew Thornton ranked the Final based on his personal code of points:

1. He Kexin 9.3
2. Nastia Liukin 9.2
3. Yang Yilin 9.0
4. Beth Tweddle 8.9
5. Ksenia Semenova 8.7
6. Anastasia Koval 8.5
7. Dariya Zgoba 8.3
8. Steliana Nistor 7.7

Isn’t is a relief to see scores out of 10 again?

His personal code assesses Difficulty, Execution, Artistry, Originality and Virtuosity.

Click through to see each routine and Andy’s assessment – American Gymnast – Our first routines under Andy’s COP: Women’s Uneven Bars

ESPN RISE is a high school sports magazine published monthly during the school year in 25 markets around the United States. …

… during the 2007-08 school year, RISE began publishing GIRL, a first-of-its-kind magazine dedicated solely to girls’ high school athletics. …

A younger Shawn Johnson is cover girl for the fall 2009 edition.

Nice promotion for our sport.

ESPN has already posted the article online:

… When Shawn began competing at local meets, believe it or not, she spent a lot of time at the back of the pack. “In gymnastics, the ribbons for third, second and first are red, white and blue,” she says. “The farther out you go, the prettier the ribbon.” And for a long time, Shawn came home with pretty ribbons. “I got the lowest scores and came in 33rd place all the time,” she says. …

read the rest – For Johnson, mind is what matters

(via the GKelite blog)

Bekah on I.G. Forum posted a tentative list of Jr. Athletes attending Jr. Pan American’s Selection Camp.

Morgan Smith Brandy Johnson’s
Alexandra Raisman Brestyan’s
Alexis Priesman Cincinnati
Amanda Jetter Cincinnati
Sabrina Vega Dynamic
Gabriella Douglas Excalibur
Jordyn Weiber Geddert’s
Kamerin Moore Geddert’s
Kyla Ross Gym Max
Bridgette Caquatto Naperville
Sophina DeJesus SCEGA
McKenzie Wofford Stars Houston
Kennedy Baker Texas Dreams
Napualani Hall Texas Dreams
Kiana Winston Texas Dreams
Hallie Mossett West Coast Elite
Briley Casanova WOGA
Grace McLaughlin WOGA
Katelyn Ohashi WOGA
Lizzy LeDuc WOGA
Madison Kocian WOGA
Sophia Lee WOGA

Pan Ams Teams

I haven’t seen Jordyn Wieber since she won American Cup, February 21, 2009.

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The Men’s team is listed on that thread, as well:

C.J. Maestas of Corrales, N.M./ Gold Cup Gymnastics; Sam Mikulak of Newport Coast, Calif./SCATS; Jesse Glenn of Northridge, Calif./SCATS HB; Jake Martin of Oviedo, Fla./Orlando Metro; and reserve athlete Sean Melton of Orlando/Orlando Metro.

This is all unofficial, so far.

The most successful Dutch gymnast in history is, perhaps, history.

The Royal Dutch Gymnastics Federation handed Yuri van Gelder a one-year suspension for testing positive for cocaine at the Dutch Championships in June, ending his chances to compete at the 2012 Olympics.

Van Gelder will be able to return to international competition in the summer of 2010, but International Olympic Committee rules stipulate that athletes who receive any sort of suspension for more than six months are not eligible to compete at the next Olympic Games. …

Gymnastics Examiner – After cocaine suspension, Yuri van Gelder will miss 2012 Olympics

“You have to pay for your mistakes,” he told the ANP news agency.

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CONGRATULATIONS.

… Olympic Gold medalist Shannon Miller and husband John Falconetti welcomed a beautiful baby boy to their family this evening! John Rocco Falconetti was born at 6:46 pm and weighs 7lb, 11 oz. …

Inside Gymnastics

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Shannon’s a spokesperson for BabyPlus.

It’s always fun to look back at the amazing and innovative skills gymnasts did when the rails were narrow enough to “wrap”.

Click PLAY or watch Bars developments (50s to 2005) on YouTube.

(via Couch Gymnast)