Rick McCharles and Full Twist posted great perspectives on the current state of gymnastics blogging and new media. As they both duly noted, the most prolific new media representatives who reported from the World Championships in Rotterdam were Anne Phillips from Gymnastike, Blythe Lawrence from Gymnastics Examiner and Brigid McCarthy from the Couch Gymnast. As Coach Rick said, FIG and USAG have wisely embraced new media, and are [...more]
At the start of the week in Rotterdam, the only uncertainty was whether or not Kohei Uchimura would even compete all-around. He seemed to be wincing and favoring his left shoulder during podium training and prelims. With prelims and yesterday's team competition out of the way, it became clearly certain that Uchimura would not only compete all-around, but would completely dominate. Yes, Uchimura became only the second gymnast to become a repeat world all-around champion, and the fifth two-time winner ever. Uchimura toyed with the field, [...more]
China fended off Japan on both team's final event (HB) to prevail in the team championship. Japan had at least a mathematical shot at overtaking the Chinese, but their fate was sealed after Kaz Tanaka took a tumble on the high-flying event. It was on still rings where the Chinese were able to ultimately distance themselves from the field, as their combined scores on the event (an average of an incredible 15.60 per man), left every team in the dust by almost two full points. Chen Yibing's 16.00 topped everybody's score by at least 4/10 of a point. On everything else, [...more]
No real surprises on Day 2, except perhaps that the Russians didn't finish stronger than many had thought. Although, they will likely move up in the standings if they perform to their potential in the team finals. The Chinese men simply dominated the day's competition. In fact, they finished more than a point higher than the Japanese did yesterday, and over 5 points ahead of the 3rd place Americans. Except for floor and pommel horse, the Chinese put up impressively consistent numbers on [...more]
Day One of qualifying for the men is in the books, and we have five more rotations to go. Today's prelims featured Japan, USA and Great Britain. Well, they ended up the day in exactly that order. Tomorrow, China, Russia and Germany are the top teams left to go in the prelims. Twenty-four hours of qualifying. The folks covering this stuff have got to be exhausted. Especially after the first two days of the women's qualifying rotations. Day One highlights consisted mainly of Japan's Kohei Uchimura and his team's [...more]
The U.S. contingent of Junior National Team gymnasts prevailed in a tri-meet against host Great Britain and Switzerland. The meet, held at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre this past weekend, was the culmination of a week-long joint training session among the three teams. Coached by Orlando Metro's Cas Suarez, the U.S. team was led by Orlando Metro's Sean Melton and South Coast's Timmy Wang, who placed 1-2 in the All-Around. Wang placed [...more]
We're a few days away from competition, and it's apparent that a few flies have landed in the ointment. Kohei Uchimura may not compete in the all-around, and... Oh, that's really about it. In terms of the all-around competition, if Uchimura is unable to compete all six, that's a huge deal, and throws the competition into a free-for-all. We already knew that Fabian Hambuchen wasn't going to compete all-around. As for things like Yuri van Gelder's alleged cocaine relapse, and whomever was left off the Chinese squad, it's more or less irrelevant. Quite frankly, [...more]
We need a serious come hell or high water commitment from the entire gymnastics hierarchy to be forceful in guaranteeing the future of men's collegiate gymnastics. The same amount of bravery and strength our gymnasts exhibit every single day needs to go towards the promotion of our sport. Now. [...more]
Chancellor Robert Birgeneau lowered the boom on Cal's prestigious men's gymnastics program today by officially announcing the sport has been de-funded effective upon completion of the upcoming 2011 season. Birgeneau also gave the heave-ho to men's baseball, men's rugby, women's gymnastics and women's lacrosse. Yes, thanks to Title IX, the men had to be cut for quota purposes. It's a sad day for Cal gymnastics, whose demise was [...more]
Sadly, this week we marked the passing of one amazing grandmother, who just happened to be a staunch supporter of the sport of gymnastics. Rita Jennings died on Monday, September 20 at the age of 70. Rita was wife to Sheldon, mother to Patsy, mother-in-law to Scott and grandmother to Jon and Nick Spiro. Jon and Nick, of course, are elite gymnasts who train at New Hope in Fountain Valley, CA. Rita was a Region I icon. She worked her charm, supporting Region I gymnastics for the past 32 years. As well as being Jon and Nick's grandmother, [...more]
