Gymnastics Coaching.com

No one I know liked the effeminate style of the first modern Olympic gymnastics medallist from Greece, but you must admit his routine in Atlanta was as “clean” as any ever shown.

Click PLAY or watch the gold medal set on YouTube.

Melissanidis was astonishingly talented on Floor and Vault, but terribly inconsistent. You’d never guess after seeing his routine in Atlanta.

… Melissanidis began training gymnastics and classical ballet at the age of 9 and a half. His parents were not originally supportive of the idea, and, according to Melissanidis, only relented and took him to the Spartakos Thessaloniki gymnastics club after he refused to eat for two days. …

Melissanidis continued competing after 1996, winning the vault title at the 1998 European Championships in St. Petersburg. He represented Greece at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, but, struggling with injury, competed only on vault and high bar. …

Melissanidis has two vaults named after him in the Code of Points; both are variations of the Yurchenko double back. …

In recent years, Melissanidis has been active in various social and athletic causes. He is a member of Greenpeace, and, in 2003, publicly supported the Melina Mercouri Foundation’s campaign to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece. He was also one of the torchbearers in the 2004 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony in Athens.

In 2004, Melissanidis graduated from Aristotle University in Thessaloniki with a degree in medical science.

Ioannis Melissanidis – Wikipedia

I was reminded of his tumbling after watching a montage of some of the best combination tumbling being done in men’s gymnastics on Gymblog.

Tumble Tots is the “biggest mobile gym franchise” in the UK.

It’s worth looking at this successful business model which does reach out internationally:

Tumble Tots has been operating a successful Franchise Network since 1979 and many franchisees have benefited from the opportunity. To see what they have to say about Tumble Tots and the difference being a Tumble Tots Franchisee has made to their lives, read on…

Franchise Opportunities

Recommended from the Tumble Tots shop are the Sing-a-Long Action Song CDs.

Tumble Tots UK Programmes structured to develop children’s positive personality traits including confidence and self-esteem. | Home

(via Preschool Gymnastics)

Consider giving a week of gymnastics camp as a gift to that special someone. One of three Camp Woodward locations, for example. It’s a great motivator for athletes and coaches.

I plan to be back for my 4th year at Woodward West in 2008. That’s a gym camp in paradise.

Most of the videos I’ve posted have been of incredible Charlie Tamayo, but Woodward is for all levels of ability.

Coach Don Eckert posted a clip tagged: “A little bit of everything about Woodward West …”

Click PLAY or watch the Saltocafe video on YouTube.

Tip:

I love single leg squats. But there is a slight risk of injury to the supporting knee. Better to balance with one or two hands when you train them from stand.

… Lift one leg directly in front of you, parallel with the floor (leg should be straight). Bend the supporting leg 90 degrees and press back up. Hands should be used only for balance and NOT for assistance in returning to a standing position. Repeat the exercise on the other leg.

From the GymSports New Zealand November 2007 newsletter (PDF) – Coaching | NZ Gymnastics

I will be helping coordinate the video crew at the Canadian National Team Selection Meet, Elite Canada, held in Abbotsford this weekend.

Contact Louise Demers at ldemers @ gymnastics.bc.ca if you want to come join us as a volunteer at the big meet.

After much research, I bought myself a new camcorder and will be testing it out at the competition.

Panasonic HDC-SD5 Hi-Definition Palmcorder Camcorder BUNDLE

The new Panasonic HDC-SD5 uses the brand new AVCHD format to record full-HD video with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. Instead of DVD or mini-DV tapes, it records directly onto SDHC/SD Memory Cards.

It debuts as the world’s smallest palm-style 3CCD full-HD camcorder. Small enough for me to carry on my hip in the gym.

You can swap Memory cards to keep filming while simultaneously burning that footage to DVD or put it on your laptop for editing.

Japanese gymnasts finished first and second at the 12th annual Liukin Invitational, held Saturday night at WOGA in Plano, Texas.

Shogo Otsuki of Saitama Sakae High School won the all-around over compatriot Hojo Yodai, 87.300-86.900. Otsuki also won floor exercise.

U.S. junior national team member Danell Leyva placed third all-around with 86.850, edging Japan’s Yamamoto Masayoshi (86.750) and Ito Go (86.650).

The Houston Gymnastics Academy won a close team competition, edging the Japanese national team, 177.800-177.350. USOTC and Saitama Sakae tied for third with 173.200.

full results – International GYMNAST Magazine Online

Have you seen this innovative device?

Gym-Trix Inc. has recently received patent approval for our NEW spring loaded balance beam. The combination of internal steel springs and a completely movable top create a “Spring Floor” action for the entire working surface of the beam.

Gym-Trix

Sounds like a good idea to me. I wonder how it compares with the much-less-expensive air beam from TumblTrak.

Leave a comment if you’ve tried either. Or have an opinion on “extra springy” beam training.

Decades ago coaches built beams out of bamboo to accomplish the same thing.

Former gymnast Sang Lan became a real celebrity in China, hosting her own show, Sang Lan Olympics 2008. She’s been signed as host for a new talk show.

Sang was an ambassador for Beijing’s successful 2008 Olympics bid and has been selected as an Olympic relay torchbearer. She’s smart, competent and very ambitious.

I’m hoping she is one of those who light the torch. That would be great.
She thinks so too.

… Sang has been bound to a wheelchair ever since she suffered severe spinal injuries during the Goodwill Games in New York in 1998. She has never given up her desire to remain active: in 2003, she became a TV sport anchorwoman owing to her being a student of journalism at Peking University; recently she was awarded the title of “accessibility ambassador.”

A torchbearer for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Sang believes that the Paralympic torch relay is as important as the torch relay for the Olympics for conveying the Olympic spirit to all people. …

Sang Lan calls for a more accessible Beijing – The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

I am reluctant to post this video clip.

Several stunts included are not smart. I don’t like seeing simple skills done in a very dangerous place. Show me extremely difficult acrobatics in a relatively safe place.

Bad injuries will ruin the reputation of free running and Parkour.

On the other hand, some of the stunts included are “best I’ve ever seen”. Very cool. And very smart.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via JumpClub)

You may have seen other news stories regarding Steve Infante, a gymnastics coach banned by USA Gymnastics years ago, being brought to trial.

This is the most comprehensive article I’ve seen yet:

Now Infante, 51, and Infante’s friend – well-known Massachusetts coach Steve DiTullio, 53 – are at the heart of an investigation into allegations that the men sought to have sex with their teenage gymnasts. Angry that the two men were still coaching, some of Infante’s and DiTullio’s former athletes – now women in their 20s and 30s – began contacting authorities last year. Following statements by two of the women, Infante was charged with two counts of rape and DiTullio with perjury last month in Middlesex Superior Court. They have pleaded not guilty.

read the detailed story – Ex-coaches accused of abuse – The Boston Globe

Infante is innocent until proven guilty. But if proven guilty, lock him up and throw away the key.