Gymnastics Coaching.com

Many have called Charlie the most talented gymnast ever.

After defecting to the USA, the World Medalist from Cuba has been vainly trying to get US citizenship. (The American men’s team could certainly use him.)

Don Eckert, the Elite coach at Woodward West Camp, has a huge video collection of Charlie’s feats of acrobatics.

If you watch this 8min video through to the finish, I guarantee you will see at least a half dozen skills you’ve never seen before. Possibly no one has ever done them before Charlie.

Click PLAY, or watch it on YouTube.

We’ve posted pics by this excellent Irish photographer before.

He does great work.

larger version on flickr

USA vs Great Britain

Alexandra represented Australia at the 2000 Olympics. Then won a team all-around gold medal in the 2002 Commonwealth Games as well as a silver medal in the vault.

She retired at age 18. A great career.

Bored one day, age 19, she decided to try diving.

How did that work out for her?

The idea of diving—something she had never done before—intrigued Croak. It wasn’t that different from gymnastics except, as Croak pointed out, that divers fall on their head instead of their feet. …

“It wasn’t that tough of a transition. [Diving is] a lot less demanding on your body.” …

First she was selected to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. And then, after just two weeks to prepare for an event she had never competed in—the synchronised 10-metre dive—Croak and 13-year-old sensation Melissa Wu finished second in the event behind much more experienced Australians Loudy Tourky and Chantelle Newbery. …

Not only did Croak claim a silver medal from the competition. She also became the first Australian woman to compete at the Commonwealth Games in two sports.

Diving – Croak transitions smoothly from gymnast to diver

She’s just picked up another synchro medal at a World Cup meet in Brisbane.

Melissa Wu and Alex Croak – source

Alex Croak – Diving Australia Bio

gymnastics photos – Gymbox.net

This coach is confirmed to attend Nationals back in my old stomping grounds, Saskatchewan. The venue is the huge new Credit Union EventPlex in Regina. Dates are May 21-26th.

This year championships for Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline and Tumbling will be combined. (more information)

I’ll be volunteering with the excellent organizing committee. And attending the Level 4 Coach Education course led by Keith Russell.

Expect a good number of blog posts from that event.

2007 Canadian Gymnastics Championships

Shout out to my buddy Dave Adlard and his Funtastics crew in Idaho

I’ve attended perhaps a dozen major events run by Dave. They are first class.

Most recently, the Great West Gym Fest 2007.

SPOKANE CONVENTION CENTER
MAY 11-17, 2007

This will mark the first time that one of the USAG National events has come to our area, and we plan on making it an event to remember! This year, there will be a Regional Team competition as well as the individual competition, making Westerns even more exciting. …

The Convention Center is a state-of-the-art facility with multiple concessions, a huge vendor’s area and perfect viewing!

Funtastics is known for their showmanship at their annual Great West Gymfest, and Westerns will be even hotter! “Rock and Roll” march-ins, hot music, lots of giveaways…this will be a Westerns to remember!

Westerns – official website

Shawn won the AA over Shayla Worley (photo).

Shawn Johnson of the United States in action on the floor during Women’s International Gymnastics in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, Saturday, March 17, 2007. Members of the U.S. Women’s Nation Team are competing in the USA vs Great Britain meeting. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

ESPN.com – OLY – Photo 1483716

This is the weirdest gym video I’ve ever seen.

But the mash-up of gymnastics with special effects has great potential.

I’d like to see more.

Gymnasts and experimental compositing collide in this strange video I made while re-habilitating a broken heart …

Click PLAY or watch the video on MetaCafe. http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/418589/terrifying_love_song.swf
TERRIFYING LOVE SONG – The most popular videos are here

Another fantastic montage by Eva (addicted2gym) of women’s artistic gymnastics. She has a great eye for quality.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

If you like this one, check her Best of China montage.

Or see all her videos posted on YouTube.

USA Diving posted a terrific video called Diving From the Athletes Viewpoint.

Very inspirational. (High speed internet needed.)

Mohamed Meziane is a former African Gymnastics Champion and competed in many high level competition is the world, including the World Championship in Bercy.

He has taught Gymnastics in France, America and England.

Living in England for the last 13 years, Mohamed, 37 is married with one son and looking for a full time employment in Gymnastics in the South East, nearer Kent or London. With more than 30 years involvement in Gymnastics, Mohamed is very keen to take Gymnastics in England many steps higher.

Contact Mohamed at maziane69 @ msn.com