tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
More TV coverage of Beijing is showing up online, the copyright holders no longer demanding takedown.
If you’ve not seen the BBC British coverage, check this video.
It opens with that “perfect” vault of Nastia Liukin.
Click PLAY or watch Part 1 on Gymnastike.
Since YouTube clips are (normally) limited to 10min, the coverage continues with Part 2 linked from the same page.
Like most, I’ve admired Cheng Fei for years.
But never been a big fan. Until now.
Why is she still competing at age-20 when dozens of younger girls are waiting for her spot on National Team?
Her passion for the sport is a really compelling story.
Here’s the best coverage yet, on the hottest new gymnastics blog:
As we all know, Cheng Fei had a rocky Olympics. She was on cloud nine after the team competition, only to swallow a bitter pill during the individual event finals, an experience she likened to “a trip from Heaven to Hell.”
According to this Sina article, Cheng cried all night after her disappointing performances on vault and floor. “I cried until my soul had completely left my body,” Cheng was quoted as saying.
Cheng Fei after her ordeal at the Olympics (photo: Amy Sancetta/AP Photo)She felt empty and wasn’t sure whether she wanted to go on competing. But her coaches felt she should, to exorcise the demons that were haunting her. Said coach Lu Shanzhen, “We’re letting Cheng Fei go on taking part in competitions both at home and abroad to let her find that competitive spirit, to dispel the shadow of the mistakes she made at the Beijing Olympics. Unexpectedly [according to coach Liu Qunlin, Cheng’s training has been far from systematic lately because of her many post-Olympic activities], she is performing better at each competition. Her beam and floor are already close to her peak level.” …
Triple Full – “I Cried Until My Soul Had Completely Left My Body”
I highly recommend you read that blog every day.
More video tutorials just posted. (Short ads proceed each.)
Click PLAY or watch Learning Handspring Front Layouts – The Technique on Gymnast.
http://gymnast.com/flashplayer/FlashPlayer.swf?v=http://www.gymnast.com/media/gymnast//upload/Videos/TTs/Front%20Tumble/hdsprg-layout1.flv&eb=1&ap=1&av=sportnet.gy.videos&pv=video&szv=320×240&apv=doubleclick
Click PLAY or watch Learning Handspring Front Layouts – Connecting on Gymnast.
http://gymnast.com/flashplayer/FlashPlayer.swf?v=http://www.gymnast.com/media/gymnast//upload/Videos/TTs/Front%20Tumble/hdsprg-layout2.flv&eb=1&ap=1&av=sportnet.gy.videos&pv=video&szv=320×240&apv=doubleclick
Subscribe to more gymnastics training videos at GymnasticsOnDemand.com
Reported by, who else, Triple Full:
The protagonist of today’s scandal is Verona van de Leur, who placed 2nd AA at the 2002 Europeans and 2nd on floor at the 2002 Worlds, after which she was voted Holland’s Athlete of the Year, an honor which had never been bestowed on a Dutch gymnast before.
Verona quit gymnastics last summer after an emotionally fraught period …
read the details – And the Scandals Just Keep On Coming…
Here’s her Floor routine at 2002 Worlds.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
For years we’ve heard accusations.
For example, from March 2007: Karolyi – cruel, brutal and abusive?
But the specific charges of violence leveled by his former Olympic gymnast Emelia Eberle look to be the first to “stick” to the teflon coach, so charming and endearing to the general public.
The story is being widely reported by NANCY ARMOUR in the The Associated Press: USA Gymnastics hears no complaints about Karolyis
What should Bela do?
Even as he faces renewed allegations that he was physically abusive to gymnasts during the 1970s, Bela Karolyi said Wednesday that he is a candidate for legislative office in his native Romania.
Karolyi, 66, said he will be on the ballot in Romania’s Nov. 30 election to become a member of national Senate as a representative of Romanian citizens living in the Americas, Australia and Africa.
Bela Karolyi has no comment on abuse claim – Houston Chronicle
Perhaps he’ll be spending a lot more time in Romania.
Already some bloggers are trying to put the Eberle scandal into perspective:
Teachers at my elementary school “disciplined” young children with “the strap” in that era. They do not need to be thrown in jail in 2008. Nor should Bela.
Best case scenario would be for Bela to come clean. Admit what they did was wrong. And to apologize.
The C Score posted another terrific top 8 list.
Very few would disagree with the #1 pick … Olympic Champion He Kexin.
In fact, she’s getting better.
Click PLAY or watch her win the 2008 Doha World Cup Event Final on YouTube.
Actually, I’m one of the few who do disagree.
I’ve always slightly preferred Nastia’s routine (despite minor form errors) because it has more variety of difficult elements.
Semenova’s is not a routine I enjoy. But Beth Tweddle is an obvious pick.
Click through to see the entire list – The C Score – Top 8: Bars
UPDATE: Phillipe Chartrand (1984 and `88 Canadian Olympian ) is the coach . Thanks Purlple.
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The NBC reality TV show?
It debuted June 11, 2008.
They train big name celebrities — like Jason “Wee Man” Acuña — to do circus acts.
Here’s a sample clip of the season 1 winner Antonio Sabato, Jr. on silks:
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Celebrity Circus – Wikipedia
Olympic gold medal gymnast 1984 Mitch Gaylord is one of the judges. If you are too young to remember Mitch (of Gaylord salto fame) you really should rent the greatest Janet Jones gymnastics movie ever.
Click PLAY or watch the American Anthem trailer on YouTube.
Reports are that the 4 time defending NCAA Champions have some problems early in the season.
But a Georgia team with problems is still (probably) the best team in the NCAA. Courtney Kupets is back in the line-up, happily. See her Floor routine on Gymnast.
As part of their regular Wednesday Workout series of videos, Gymnastike posted highlights from their November 13th practice on Floor and Beam.
A few of the challenges set by the coaches:
Click PLAY or watch it on Gymnastike.
http://www.gymnastike.org/assets/portal/add_ons/mediaplayer-3-16/mediaplayer.swf
Yelena Produnova is one of the most exciting, dynamic gymnasts of all time. Her front somersaulting skills are freaky great.
From 2000 Olympics Team Prelims – Floor Exercise:
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Produnova has three skills named for her in the Gymnastics Code of Points:
On the Balance Beam, a jump forward with ½ twist – piked back salto On the Uneven Bars, an uprise/clear hip to handstand, Half turn to L or mixed L grip On the Vault, a handspring double front salto.
This video was linked from Past & Present Gymnastics – Unusual Cool Skills
related post: Produnova – Handspring double front vault
Gymnastics Coaching.com 