Faith Torez – standing full

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

Hambüchen has something to say

With Worlds in Germany I expect we’ll be hearing a lot from Fabian.

“The general problem is that there is next to no incentive to pursue a career as a coach in German gymnastics. …

Todays generation of up-and-comers has a different mindset than we did. I always had an eagerness and drive as a 15- or 16-year old to overtake my elder sportsmen and be better. In many, I don’t see that anymore. The certain edge and passion is missing. …”

HAMBÜCHEN: TO THE NEW GENERATION, THE INSTAGRAM STORY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE TRAINING

Fabian

related – Fabian is still training for fun and fitness. And still looks great.

LIVE from Worlds – day 1 podium training

Podium training for WAG has begun in Stuttgart. I’ll be commenting LIVE via Twitter @GymCoaching. More LIVE coverage:

It was a pretty good day overall. Blythe Lawrence feels form has steadily improved since the introduction of the open ended code in 2006.  Many times at Worlds podium training in the past I’ve been terrified — worried about injury — when gymnasts are competing skills not yet ready enough. I didn’t have any scary moments today.

  • Yamilet Peña warmed up two Handspring double fronts on Vault. Both safe. Neither close to landing. She fell on double front on Floor, as well. She’s obviously not at 100%.
  • watch for the Belgium Floor choreography. Very entertaining. In fact the team has a good vibe. They could certainly qualify for Tokyo with a hit qualification round.
  • Yeo Seojeong landed two Handspring front layout double twists! I’d argue that’s even more difficult than Simone’s half-on Handspring front layout double twist.
  • North Korea still NOT wearing handguards on Bars. Like Chuso. One has the tiny grips made of athletic tape.
  • Germany often slides a landing mat in for Bars releases, in case of fall. Seems a better technique than hand spotting in most cases.
  • Fujitsu is scanning all gymnasts (unless they opt out) in multiple poses in an open area with quite a few people around. I assume they are being very careful with privacy and transparency.
  • Simone will have a Press Conference Tuesday. Because she’s Simone. Also, the general public can watch American podium training Tuesday for 10 euros. Because they are USA.
  • Is Romania back? I was really impressed with the quality of the Beam work. Especially the leaps & jumps. (Wolf turns … not so much.) Most expect the perennial podium team not to qualify in the top 12. But they certainly could make Tokyo with a good meet in qualifications.
  • the final rotation day 1 included Canada and China. Very entertaining. Canada was very good, but struggled a bit on Bars. China impressed me more than any other team today — they’ve really improved tumbling and vault. I’d agree with the mob that Team China is silver medal favourite.
  • the big screen — essential since Glasgow Worlds — is epic in Stuttgart

MORE

Giant 1 & 1/2 in handstand

Addison Fatta

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

Ballet shoes for non-white dancers

Pointe shoes in brown and bronze shades are being made in the UK for the first time.

Ballet Black, whose dancers are all of black and Asian descent have worked alongside shoe manufacturer Freed to create the new shoes. …

BBC

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Russia’s Men’s team to Worlds

Nikita Nagornyy
Artur Dalaloyan
David Belyavskiy
Ivan Stretovich
Denis Ablyazin
ALTERNATE– Vladislav Polyashov

MAGnastics has a preview.

Getting to Know the 2019 Worlds Teams- Russia

Denis Ablyazin

trampolines in a hurricane

In big winds it’s easy for a tent or trampoline to FLY away.

Before Hurricane Humberto in Bermuda last week, one family used stakes and a load binder strap to prevent wind getting underneath the bed. It worked.

Another family did have their trampoline fly — despite being tied down.

Suni Lee dedicates Gymnastics to her father

Dad recently suffered a spinal injury after a fall.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.