’21 Worlds USA MAG team?

Kensley and the GymCastic crew discussed the option to send a team of mostly specialists to 2021 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Japan October 18–24, 2021.

There is NO team competition at that one.

For Worlds it’s a maximum of 6 men, 4 women — because women are 2/3rds as worthy, I assume 😕 — with a maximum of 3 competing each apparatus.

American AAers should stay home, focusing on increasing their D-scores for 2022.

GymCastic suggested:

Brody Malone AA (if he wants to go)

FX – Gage Dyer, Eddie Penev
POM – Stephen Nedoroscik
Rings – Alex Diab
Vault – Donnell Whittenburg, Eddie Penev

Of course any other apparatus specialist should be welcomed to trial. Send those athletes with the best chances of qualifying for any Final.

It’s Kohei’s home town hosting. If not competing, I’m sure he’ll be the spokesman for that competition.

Kitakyushu, Japan

NCAA gymnasts can monetize

Trinity Thomas is one of the first gymnasts who have received an offer to profit off their name, image and likeness (NIL) after the NCAA changed its rules regarding endorsements and compensation following a loss in the Supreme Court earlier this month.

Olivia Dunne, as another example, has millions of followers.

Vault: Simone, Jade, Mykayla

As it turned out, USA selected 3 gymnasts who could medal on Vault in Tokyo.

Of course only 2 / nation can get to the final. 😶

Click PLAY or watch a comparison on YouTube.

Riley McCusker on Arizona Sunrays

Recall Riley injured her ankle at the U.S. Classic. On competition Vault landing mats, where so many major injuries happen.

… I want to thank Brian from the bottom of my heart for showing me what it was like to be treated with kindness and respect everyday.

Because of this I will never let anyone treat or abuse me the way I was for years, he has helped me become a whole person.

He is also an incredible coach and before I hurt my ankle at classics I was doing things on floor and vault that I never thought possible for me.

My main motivation for this last year and a half while training with Brian Carey was to show all of the little gymnasts and athletes out there that you can still become the best athlete that you can be in a healthy environment. …

I didn’t have a vote. But my pick for the +one U.S. Olympic team would have been Riley. She hit 5/6 Bars routines this season and would have been a favourite for the Bars final, if not the podium.

If you want a deep dive into WHY the USA didn’t pick Riley as an alternate, listen to the June 30th GymCastic episode – Olympic Trials Party and Postmortem.

Bars – strongest apparatus Tokyo

I feel Bars will be the most exciting and competitive apparatus at the Olympics.

Here are many (but not all) of the contenders for Finals.

Riley would have been in this group, but I wouldn’t rank her top 3.

I’m hoping the execution judges will do their job. E-score should decide finalists and medalists.

But I’m assuming they’ll be out-of-practice. E-scores will be boxed closely together, regardless of performance. If so, the highest D-scores will be at an advantage.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

NBA coach Becky Hammon

Becky Hammon was on the short list for head coach of the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers.

She wasn’t hired.