Gymnastics Coaching.com

I recently signed up for Facebook as it’s a great way to network with other acrobatic coaches. (I found MySpace useless.)

Once you are a member of Facebook, simply search for “gymnastics coach” or any other search term of interest. The resulting list is very interesting.

You can also join “Groups” on topics of interest. This is even better, I find.

For example, I joined a Group called “Gymnastics Coach’s Corner“.

More interesting is a group called “concerned about Olympic Men’s Gymnastics rules” which I joined because I am concerned about Olympic Men’s Gymnastics rules. Especially the changes to Horizontal Bar.

The 2004 Olympics for Men was a disaster due to judging scandals. Now the International Gymnastics Federation has changed regulations less than 2 years prior to the 2008 Olympics. This is unfair to the athletes. It may lead to a repeat of judging scandals in Beijing.

This group asks the FIG to repeal those changes until AFTER the next Olympics.

Join the Group “concerned about Olympic Men’s Gymnastics rules” on Facebook. (Free membership required.)

If you don’t know Canadian photographer Dory Dynna, I’ll bet you’ve seen some of his excellent photos over the years.

These days Dory is much involved in the dance community in Vancouver.

Some of his OLD OLD photos I happened to find still posted on the internet including some from Emma Lake Gymnastics Camp. (I put these pics up as I happen to be back in Saskatchewan where Dory started.)

Many more including female Artistic stars of the past – GYMNASTICS PHOTOS – Dory Dynna

I have friends in Salzburg, Austria at Worlds.

Looks like they are having FUN.

Today title-holder Janin Oer (Germany/25.45 points) again was the winner of the Senior’s women All Around Competition. …

German also won the gold medal in the men’s All Around Competition. Achus Emeis (GER/27.25 P.), also title-holder from 2005 is placed first.

Achus Emeis – gold medal – Germany – photo Hagen Wehrend

Read more on GYMmedia.com

The one I REALLY like is the Roue Cyr modification invented, I believe, by Cirque Eloize co-founder, Daniel Cyr. You can see it in Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo.

Here’s the list of athlete representatives. They give feedback to the FIG from the athletes regarding issues on the floor.

Excellent idea.

John ROETHLISBERGER
mailto: jr@flipfest.com

Svetlana KHORKINA
mailto:gymnasticsn@mail.ru

Eva SERRANO
mailto:serranoeva@aol.com

Dimitri POLIAROUSH
mailto:dimavp7@bellsouth.net

Ana MACANITA
mailto: margaridamacanita@hotmail.com

Patrick BONNER
mailto:patrick.bonner@tesco.net

FIG

People were disappointed to find the crowd favourite would not be competing at Canadian Championships.

Just got an update on Nathan from coach Tony Smith.

He had minor surgery on his hand a couple of days ago to remove a bone chip which had been aggravating for months.

All is well. Nathan’s hand feels better already. But the chip could have been removed months ago if only medical had diagnosed the loose chip sooner.

Shout out to local hero and his coach Markos Baikos.

Jayd Lukenchuk was first to the podium for Saskatchewan at the Canadian gymnastics championships.

Lukenchuk, who hails from Saskatoon, earned the province’s first gold medal at the 2007 championships after winning the junior men’s all-around championship on Thursday. It’s the third time that Lukenchuk has won a men’s all-around title at a national championship.

Golden night for Lukenchuk

Belarusian gymnasts perform during a final show of the 2007 Rhythmic Gymnastics Grand Prix in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, May 20, 2007.

ESPN.com – OLY

AP Photo/Sergei Grits

Very well edited, this clip was used to “fire up” the girls from Region 2 in the USA.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The razzle dazzle excitement of the NCAA is what’s missing from most competitions.

Here at the Canadian National Gymnastics Championships the atmosphere is too subdued. The competition slow and, at times, boring. (Quebec has a loud cheering section, though.)

We have several American NCAA coaches here with Canadian athletes. They are very patient with our “traditional” way of running a competition.

The 2004 Olympic Floor champion will be in Regina doing school visits and promotional appearances at Canadian Championships, but will not compete.

He has minor tendonitis in the Achilles. But Sonorex (high intensity ultra-sound) worked quite well on this nagging injury last year. Kyle expects it to heal up quickly again this time.

He’s taking no chances. The goal is team qualification for the Olympics 2008. Kyle wants to peak for Worlds in September.

larger photos on KyleShewfelt.com

Kikuchi came out with the win.

Here are the top 10 from Day 1 competition:

2007 Canadian Gymnastics Championships – Full Results – Gym Score Depot

It was great to see Casey Sandy (NCAA Champion Penn State) and Stephen Tétrault (Nebraska) make it to Regina. This was not easy for them as their College season finished up just weeks ago and routines had to be upgraded for the FIG requirements. (Stephen told me he changed his sets as little as possible due to lack of time.)

The veterans looked great as expected. Brandon O’Neil competed only four events — but won Floor, Vault and P Bars.

Canada is ranked 6th in the World right now and will be a strong contender for an Olympic Team berth.

Jr. National Coach Markos Baikas said that increased difficulty of FIG rules means that it may take until age 20 for a male gymnast to become competitive at the Senior level.

I think he’s right. Coaches need to be patient with the young guys.

Kikuchi, Vaculik lead at gymnastics nationals – CBC