Gymnastics Coaching.com

Added by Tom Bertrand to the event “National Handstand Day” on Facebook.

Leane Grant plans to make this an annual event.

I was happy to see that gymnasts from my club participated. (They were in a shopping mall.)

Lawrence Yang, an artist, was inspired by the “lopsided” new sugar water logo.

larger version

(via treehugger)

by site editor Rick McCharles

This is one of the few interactive gymnastics websites where a regular commenter who goes by the name TCO … or, more recently, as apolytongp … has not been “banned” or, at least, edited.

At a key stroke I could ban him too.

But I don’t want to at this time.

He’s boring. Repetitious.

An Amerocentric war monger.

A gymnastics substance abuse conspiracy theorist.

On the other hand, apolytongp’s many times been first to find gymnastics stories on the internet. He’s passionate. We’ve had some very good conversations online.

The internet is all about giving EVERYONE an equal voice. Even apolytongp. He’s trying to limit the profanity on my request. I appreciate that.

I just wish he’d start his own blog. We’d all then be able to leave our comments there.

Note that the comments are pretty much “buried” on this site. Most people don’t read them. I rarely read comments on sites other than this one, especially YouTube.

That Floor routine everyone is talking about — Steven Legendre — was originally posted by Don Eckert of saltocafe on YouTube.

The most difficult ever performed under the new code, I reckon. (UPDATE: No time limit in NCAA competition.)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

That’s 16.7 start, 16.9 if he does whip -> 2.5 twist as he originally intended. Right?

NICK calculates only 16.6….F(6)-F(6)-[C+D](3+1+4)-B(2)-C(3)-[D+C](4+1+3)-C(3)-E(5)=4.1+2.5+10=16.6

UPDATE: From Geoffrey Taucer:

Actually, Nick’s off by one tenth; according to the latest NGJA interperetations release, the value they’ve given the DLO 5/2 is a G, not an F. Otherwise, his calculations appear to be accurate (assuming the final pass is an arabian double pike and not an arabian double lay; which is probably an accurate assumption).

This would put the start value of this routine at 16.7.

Don Eckert posts by far the most interesting gymnastics videos on the internet. And now he’s sponsored by Gibson (Mats, Beam, Bars, Grips, …)

See all 142 videos (so far) on the Gibson Saltocafe YouTube page. Subscribe. Comment. And link to those videos.

… Shawn and Teri Johnson will be leaving for Los Angeles this week. They’ll be moving into an apartment in Hollywood, where Shawn will work with Ballas.

Teri left her job in the West Des Moines school district. Her husband, Doug, a trim-finish carpenter, will stay behind to work and fly in to watch her compete.

“We’re pretty much moving out there for as long as she’s on the show,” Teri said. “I don’t feel we’re Hollywood folks. I guess we’ll find out.”

…

If Shawn decides to try for London, maybe this experience will help her “artistic presentation,” as the experts say.

“Ultimately,” Teri said, “this could be a huge benefit for her. She’s never concentrated on her grace and flexibility before.” …

Medals, tour, ‘Dancing’ turn Johnson, 17, into an old pro

Do people return to Iowa after moving to HOLLYWOOD?

Zamarripa Perfect Again On Vault As UCLA Wins Quad Meet

Watch the video.

Not quite as perfect as the first one. But good enough for 10.0 in the NCAA.

UPDATE: watch the video.

Steven Legendre’s FX (13 twists, 11 flips in total!)

See if you can count the flips and twists!

There are no names yet for the Hypolito variations he’s added. (with double twist, and full twist in layout)

There’s no doubt that the WOGA product, now training at OU has the most difficult Floor routine in the world. He’s BIG and STRONG.

Seems a shame the code motivates him to include a relatively easy whip double twist. It was intended to be whip 2.5 twist.

OU bio – Steven Legendre

Sister, Jessica, is a member of the OU softball team.

Feb. 21st in Chicago.

Normally this showcase of American gymnastics is a bit of a let down. More sizzle than steak.

And the women’s field is not all that strong this year:

Brittany Rogers, Canada
Youna Dufournet, France
Kim Bui, Germany
Rebecca Downie, Great Britain
Koko Tsurumi, Japan
Amelia Racea, Romania
Kristina Goryunova, Russia
Bridget Sloan, USA
Jordyn Wieber, USA
Jessica Lopez, Venezuela

I have already spoken on my excitement about Bridget (paticularly since reports that she’s been training a front triple twist!) and I’m sure Jordyn will do fine. It’s also nice to see Jessica Lopez back as I felt her floor was a standout last year. Plus, Koko Tsurumi is always good to see and Brittany Rogers is one of Canada’s outstanding new seniors. But I have to say that the person I am most excited about (hopefully) getting a peek at this comp is Becky Downie. …

perfection is possible

I too find myself more interested than usual, I think because it’s the first Scam American Cup of the quadrennial. Let’s see “what’s new” for this cycle. Is Wieber the next big American star?

Click PLAY or watch the TV commercial on YouTube.

official home page

The Men’s meet just might be excellent. Hagerty is in shape. If the international competitors are, as well, it should be interesting.

Florida climbs back up to 6th.

GymInfo

Commentary on Gymblog:

… In the battle of the surprise contenders, Auburn (Alabama) knocked of Arkansas, 196.175-195.400. Not that the Razorbacks were terribly displeased. “We went 24-for-24 with a few minor bobbles,” said Arkansas co-head coach Mark Cook in a press release, “but nothing we can’t correct in the gym. We fought hard in a tough environment and I’m proud of our efforts.” …

NCAA report!

larger original

UPDATE:

Freshman Vanessa Zamarripa scored her second perfect 10 of the season on vault to lead UCLA to a quad meet victory over Boise State, Washington and Cal State Fullerton in Pauley Pavilion …

… The Bruins, who were competing for the first time since being hit with the norovirus the last weekend of January, got off to a monster start on vault, scoring a season-high tying 49.525. The score was the seventh-best vault total in UCLA history. …

… Hopfner-Hibbs won the all-around …

UCLA Bruins

The high rez version on the official site would not play on my computer.

Click PLAY or watch the low rez on YouTube.

The video is MUCH better than the photos, IMHO.

Inspired by movement and modern dance, the Spring Max Azria collection explores individual expression through effortless elegance. Pared-down silhouettes are given life with graceful draping, while a luminous palette of shaded neutrals reflects the impassioned spirit of the modern woman.

Conveying the freedom and inspiration of this collection required someone iconic-someone timeless. While competing at the Beijing Olympics, gold medalist Nastia Liukin demonstrated the polish artistry, grace and casual elegance that define Max Azria aesthetic. Nastia’s refined sensibility, captured in the stunning images that fill these pages, embodies the visionary spirit of Max Azria.

official site – MaxAzria.com

I predict other high profile gymnasts will be offered similar modeling gigs in the near future.