tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40297439005315361482024-03-18T05:48:38.421-04:00Arabian Punch FrontArabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.comBlogger354125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-67197569798324963962020-03-20T12:21:00.002-04:002020-03-20T12:21:40.849-04:00Guess whatHi Friends.<br />
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Again, it's been over a year since my last post but figure I'll give it a shot again, especially in this time of uncertainty and quarantine. Gymnastics has always been there when I was missing something or needed something so let's try and get that back again.<br />
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Lots of things need to be updated here but hope to have my first post up soon!<br />
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xoxo APFArabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-57468253050559994752019-02-28T19:30:00.000-05:002019-02-28T19:49:45.475-05:00Fantasy Gym: Black History Month Edition<center>
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It's been just over a year since my last blog post. A lot has changed in my life but I've decided to come back to the world of gymnastics. I have 2 fantasy gym teams this year and figured the best way to get back into the swing of things was to write about my gymnasts. In honor of Black History Month, I'll start by going through a few of my African American athletes. I was supposed to do this throughout the month but here we are on February 28th...<br />
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Khazia Hislop is a junior at the University of North Carolina. She is Brestyan's trained and has been a staple for the Tarheels roster on vault, beam, and floor. #BrestyanLegs. Her season highs thus far have been 9.9, 9.925, and 9.950. Hopefully, she can make it to the post season and grace us with her presence!<br />
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Drew Aldridge, Hislop's freshman teammate, is also on my roster. She has been in my lineup for bars and in and out on vault. She has also competed floor once so far this season. Aldridge was trained at AOGC.<br />
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Shaylah Scott is a freshman at UIC and was a competitor at the Nastia Liukin Cup. She initially was an exhibition athlete on beam but is in the UIC lineup on both beam and floor.<br />
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Maya Washington is a junior at University of Washington. She has been a solid 3-eventer on bars, beam, and vault. She is averaging above 9.8 for a great beam with excellent position and heights in her leaps and also on floor where she has an engaging routine. (Unfortunately, I couldn't find any floor videos from this year).<br />
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Tia Kiaku is a sophomore at Alabama after transferring from Ball State. She competed once earlier in the season but, unfortunately, didn't do well scoring a 9.675. With the injury of Shea Mahoney, Kiaku was back in the lineup last week and scored a 9.825.<br />
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<br />Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-11071569048704806352018-02-13T21:08:00.001-05:002018-02-13T21:09:03.454-05:00Tiger Showdown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I keep telling myself I want to be a sort of LSU hub and then grow into more of an NCAA hub. To do that, though, I need to post. It's gotten to the point where blogger wasn't even in my URL predictions. Yikes! I've been busy with my last year of residency and looking for jobs but with a fellowship coming up and a big smile on my face, here I am!<br />
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The LSU Tigers have finished Week 6 of the NCAA season in 4th place, first of the SEC teams. They had a win against conference rivals Missouri Tigers in a meet that revealed a few areas that still need a little more work.<br />
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The LSU Tigers started the meet on bars. Freshman Sami Durante has been a great asset to the lineup. It has certainly been nice to have a bar worker with an easy swing leading off the lineup (probably with hopes of moving back in later years unless she goes the route of beam Erin Macadaeg). Ashlyn Kirby seemed to be having a great routine but unfortunately had a fall. Kennedi Edney was able to pick up after with a sky high release move. Lexie Priessman was also in the lineup. She had some of her usual form issues on her Tkatchev to Pak but had a nice double layout dismount with a small hop.<br />
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On vault, Sarah Edwards had an excellent 1.5 twisting Yurchenko. Cannamela had a great full twisting Yurchenko that just seemed to fall right in the perfect spot. The remaining vaults didn't have the usual landings that we've come to expect from LSU.<br />
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Floor, as per usual, has been great for LSU. These routines have grown in their performance quality throughout the season and the lineup truly builds in terms of difficulty and choreography, making for exclamation point routines from the last few athletes. Kirby's routine has grown on me each time she performs along with enjoyable choreography just before her last pass. The highlight was Hambrick. She was in place on her 2.5 punch front but made it through with a superb routine to earn a 9.975.<br />
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The final score was LSU 197.150 to Missouri's 196.375. Edney and Hambrick won vault with 9.95s with Priessman and Hambrick scoring 9.875s to win vault. Lead off Macadaeg and anchor Finnegan tied with 9.9 to win beam (with an honorable mention to Missouri's Britney Ward who was 3rd with a 9.85). Hambrick and Finnegan won floor with stellar 9.975. Finally, Hambrick won the AA with a 39.625. Though it was a good score with plenty of things to celebrate from the meet, there were a lot of reminders. Beam has been the downfall of LSU in the past and seems to be their nemesis again. The pieces are there - an excellent and steady lead off in Macadeag, stable veterans in Finnegan and Hambrick, strong newcomers in Desiderio and Campbell. Unfortunately, it is easy for "the wheels to come off the wagon," quoting coach D-D Breaux. This meet will serve as as reminder that LSU can indeed be #LSUnstoppable provided they don't let beam get the best of them.<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LSU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LSU</a> went into Columbia and got the win over No. 24 Missouri Friday night! Don't miss the highlights from the Tigers' 197.150 performance. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LSUnstoppable?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LSUnstoppable</a> <a href="https://t.co/pAXjAM1trT">pic.twitter.com/pAXjAM1trT</a></div>
— LSU Gymnastics (@LSUgym) <a href="https://twitter.com/LSUgym/status/962320244588056576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-10595200608578298122017-10-31T21:33:00.005-04:002017-10-31T22:06:48.158-04:00My World Championships 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Photo by Alexandra Leask for thegymter.net</center>
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Being able to attend the 2017 World Gymnastics Championships in Montreal will be an experience that I will never forget. This post will be a bit of fan perspective with gym thoughts throughout.<br />
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I've been to Montreal twice before, all centered around gymnastics. Once was to go to the 2015 Canadian National Championships and the second was to prepare a documentary on Rose and Victoria Woo. Again, gymnastics brought me to Montreal. Thankfully, I'm driving distance from Montreal. I wasn't able to get the whole week off but I could get a weekend off which gave me the opportunity to attend the event finals. We drove up on Friday night which meant my boyfriend was reading live blogs and twitter feeds to me. [He started slowing down near the end, speaking really slowly, and I've never been so antsy in my life!]<br />
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We were lucky enough to stay in the Olympic Village. This now apartment/condo complex was used as the village for the 1976 Olympics, the very Olympics where gymnastics Queen Nadia Comaneci scored her first perfect 10. We had a great view of the Olympic stadium and the way it lights up at night. We were about 2 train stops away or a 20 minute walk.<br />
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The first day, we walked there and I was so freakin' excited!! Think my boyfriend thought I was insane but, oh well, now he knows. We got inside and took a picture in front of one of the #MTL2017GYM signs. I wanted to do a handstand but he said he wouldn't support me. Lame... Not sure if we'll make it to this sickness and in health thing...<br />
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We got there in time to see some of warmups. Nothing too interesting happened.<br />
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Since we were driving the night before and I was working through parts of qualifications, I went into event finals blind, not fully knowing who was in and who was out. For example, I still thought Georgia-Mae Fenton had made it into uneven bars final.<br />
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The men started us off on floor. The craziest thing is just how far above the rest Kenzo Shirai is. His twisting form is impeccable and it's like he has this uncanny sense of how exactly to punch the floor to get maximum benefit from it. Yul Muldouer was also super impressive. Crazy that he beat out one of the floor specialists to make the finals and beat out the second one for a medal. He has crazy clean gymnastics and my guess is that he's even more motivated after his first World Championships. With a veteran team, he was the only one to walk away with a medal. Sorry, TWO medals. Manrique is just as beautiful to watch as I had hoped. Sad that he walked away without a medal, same for Leru, but we'll get there.<br />
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I was so excited to watch a high level vault finals. Vault and uneven bars are my favorite women's events and the finals didn't disappoint. Giulia Steingruber, my one true love, was first up and I was just as in awe of her as I was before.The height she gets on her Rudi is out of this world. I was nervous before the double twisting Yurchenko because it's not her strongest but she hit it well. And then we waited.<br />
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I got on twitter and saw the Shallon Olsen was going to attempt a triple twisting Yurchenko and was so confused on why anyone thought this was a good idea. From what I gathered, she had been training it for sometime and decided to submit it. However, during warmup, she didn't hit any of them so she opted for the Amanar. From what I saw, before she went, she was terrified. She fell forward but, thankfully, wasn't injured. I'm amazed her Cheng went relatively well for how scary the Amanar was and how upset she was afterwards. But Shallon picked herself back up.<br />
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Then oh Paseka... The disappointment is real. She seemed relatively comfortable with her Cheng and lo and behold, it's one of the worse Cheng's she's done in awhile. Her Amanar, on the other hand, was one of the best she's done. Paseka, I don't know what to do with you anymore.<br />
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I know we talk so much about the #goworld going around this worlds but I truly loved how the athletes AND coaches had such respect for each other. Many of them have been in multiple event finals together but it was really great to see how supportive they were or how they went to every gymnast even if it wasn't their teammate or their own athlete.<br />
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When Jade went up, I was truly hoping that she would have enough to knock Paseka from the gold medal position but with the big step on the Amanar, I wasn't sure it would be enough. She gets great height and has good form but I agree with most: imagine what she could do with more time with those vaults. Maroney was competing her Amanar for quite some time before having to hit in a big international competition. Jade literally became an elite for this meet. Her accomplishments are amazing.<br />
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Pommels was pommels. Confession. Pommels and still rings are my least favorite so I went to the bathroom, came back, decided to see if the boo was feeling it and he wasn't, so we went to grab food. Thankfully in the area, they had broadcasts throughout the concessions so you were still able to watch even if you weren't at your seat.<br />
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Bars finals. So like I mentioned, I went into things a little cold. I think I subconsciously knew Diana Varinska made it more because of the "Ukrainian gymnastics isn't dead!" posts but I was still surprised. I'm glad that she hit. I was so glad to see my girl, Nina D. It was hard watching her wait to see if/what color medal she would get but I'm still so happy for her. Seeing Eremina's routine was great. A NABIEVA IN REAL LIFE!!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!! Then the shocker moment. I really can't believe Fan Yilin won. There was that one pirouette that was super late and muscled. I thought it wouldn't be enough but in true 4-way world champ, she shocked me! I'm sad and don't understand what happened to Ashton. She had one job which was to hit. She's still a beautiful bar worker so we'll see if this affects her for future teams. <br />
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I'm writing the rest of this way later so it will just be bullet points. I apologize. I'll take notes next time!
But still rings was impressive to have such a star studded final. There was also a very knowledgeable group. everyone was ecstatic for Samir Ait Said when he landed. And I blame Zanetti, I think, for the crosses with the hand out (or is it Petrounias?). But then Liu went further with his little neck game. Way to try and make still rings more interesting.
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Boo thang and I walked around for a bit. I wanted to look for the mini olympic Museum (that's not what it's called). But I know last time I was there, there was info on the stadium and it's design and previous Olympics. As we went to fnd it, turned out we were in the area where the athletes got on the bus to their various hotels. So I got a picture with Tutya, told her I loved her and her Olympic beam and how amazing it was. I got a picture with Nagornyy and then a group of like 20 8 year old girls bombarded him after haha. Whoops. Sorry! Before we left the area, Khorkina was there and we got a picture with her too! Cray!
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Oh yeah, then we were walking around town and bumped into eventual floor world champ on our way to exchange some money. More cray!!
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Man vaults are cool. Crazy to see Dragulescu vaulting the Dragulescu in person. There were some real judging issues - your knees almost touch, maybe could be counted as a fall, and your E is like 8+. Alrighty then.<br />
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I don't have much to say about beam other than I'm very happy for Alt and Schafer, her little voodoo skill is cool. Obviously, I'm happy for Morgan too but I think these days, as long as the American hits, they'll medal. Beam scoring was still weird with only Schafer getting the only 8.0 E but still. <br />
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PBars. Heart broken for manrique. Again. Oleg is beautiful to watch. <br />
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Mai was up first for floor and I didn't know she was seeded first. She hit her routine beautifully with excellent difficulty and clean skills. Brookyln Moors was just as amazing to watch as you would expect. Jade Carey reminds me SO much of Brenna Dowell. Excellent tumbling but with some work to do on the dance. The biggest surprise was how excellent Claudia Fragapane was. Honestly. Her presentation was great. When Tyra walks about H2T, head to toe, modeling, Fragapane embodies H2T dancing. It truly was a joy to watch.<br />
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Also, sad times to ending with Ferrari's injury. That was heartbreaking.<br />
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High bar. What a freakin hilarious mess. Bart goes up. So so routine. Epke has his huge ass error. We were shocked the first time. Shocked with every slow mo. Then the way the scores went up, shocked to see him pass the medals and for so long. SO SO sad for Leru!! The only thing that made it tolerable was the fact that adding the point back didn't get him a medal. More mistakes. The one hit routine! Goodness gracious it's enough for gold. That final was a wild ride. The skills are enough to make it crazy. High bar is truly a great way to finish meets. The releases are heart stopping. You're constantly on your toes wondering if people will catch releases, how many can be connected, crazy German giants, crazy dismounts. It's just non stop excitement!
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I have to mention the scoring. I should've mentioned this earlier. On the board, they would show Bart Duerloo, let's say. He was on first and they'd put his score on a sort of bar graph. then on the right was Epke Zonderland. And as his score went in the bar would raise. So there were quite a few things where you stood with bated breath (Jade vs Paseka for example) waiting to see if the bar would surpass the other person. It added to the crowd's anticipation, excitement, and involvement. We screamed a lot haha.<br />
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It was my first World Championships and was such an amazing experience. Hope I get to go to another major international meet again!Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-53966093858682486072017-09-03T18:01:00.001-04:002017-09-03T18:01:34.957-04:00Team USA: More Questions Than Answers<center>
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I will be attending my first World Championships in Montreal and I am beyond excited. This is the first worlds in a long time where most of the medals are up for grabs and quite a few top level teams have a few question marks in their lineups. One of those teams is the US, the defending world and Olympic champions. US Nationals created more question than answers. Ten women were invited to the worlds selection camp that will take place September 18-22: Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Margzetta Frazier, Emily Gaskins, Morgan Hurd, Ashton Locklear, Riley McCusker, Alyona Shchennikova, Ragan Smith, and Trinity Thomas.<br />
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The only obvious part to this story is that Ragan Smith is going and that she will compete in the all around. After winning the American Cup earlier this year and as a 2016 Olympic alternate, all eyes have been on Smith for big things this quadrennium. Though she didn't perform all around at US Classics, she competed well on uneven bars and balance beam. At the 2017 US Gymnastics Championships, Ragan easily won the all around by over 3 points and finished top 3 on every event. Barring injury, Smith is an all around lock for the team.<br />
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The second all around spot is a bit trickier. The spot most likely will go to one of Riley McCusker or Jordan Chiles (should they choose to do two all around gymnasts). McCusker was anointed as the new "chosen one" - excellent uneven bar work, performance capacity on floor much like her former teammate Laurie Hernandez. Like Smith, McCusker competed at the American Cup but that performance left quite a bit to be desired. She has since competed at Classics and Championships though clearly not at 100% as she has been coming back from injuries. Her performance at Championships was much improved and reminded us why she has the potential to be the new it girl. She finished third at Championships and the meet could have been closer if she was able to vault her double twisting Yurchenko. She finished first on bars, ahead of specialist and Olympic alternate Ashton Locklear, second on beam and fourth on floor.<br />
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Jordan Chiles career reminds be a bit of her (semi) namesake, Jordyn Wieber. We have known about Chiles for quite some time with her incredible Amanar vault as a junior. She's had quite a few international competitions under her belt. She had an injury and some coaching changes that kept her more in the background over the past few months. To be quite honest, I was about to erase her from my list of gymnasts to watch but then she had a good enough performance over 2 days to end up second in the all around. She, unfortunately, fell on her Amanar but is reportedly training a Lopez. The second vault makes her a medal asset which is going to be important to consider when figuring out the final team.<br />
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The next obvious choice is Jade Carey. She vaulted onto the scene out of nowhere (cliche, I know). She vaulted a tucked Tsuk double twist during the JO season and was tapped by National Team staff. Carey was then invited to camp and has progressed from there. She now vaults a laidout Tsuk 2/1 (technically a Kasamatsu 1/1 but WAG Code of Points doesn't differentiate) and an Amanar. The Amanar gave her quite a bit of trouble during Nationals. Her vaults are valued at a 5.6 and 5.8 respectively. Chiles' theoretical vaults are valued at a 5.8 and 5.2. On D score alone, Carey has the edge, however, the questionable landing on the Amanar leaves a few questions. Carey also has the fact that she is an excellent floor worker going for her. She finished 2nd behind Ragan Smith and boasts explosive but clean tumbling passes.<br />
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Could that be a team of 4? It gets a bit odd having 2 VT/FX girls as it would force McCusker out of the AA (only 3 can compete on one event). Smith would do AA. McCusker UB/BB. Carey and Chiles VT/FX with one of them able to do BB. Carey has the potential to be Kayla Williams, stellar vaulter that medals at a World Championships but then goes on to do great things in NCAA. I'm not sure what Carey's long term plans are if she doesn't make the worlds team (she is committed to Oregon State for 2018) but would it be more worthwhile to invest in Chiles? Though very few athletes are the same as they transition from the junior to senior ranks, Chiles is one that we've been waiting on for quite some time to wow us. Is now that time?<br />
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So let's go back to only taking one VT/FX girl. McCusker will do AA and that leaves an UB/BB spot available. Morgan Hurd has previously been hand picked by Valeri Liukin as an athlete to watch. Hurd has also been one that we've watched thrive in front of our eyes from the Nastia Liukin Cup now to US Nationals as a senior. She had a recent injury that prevented her from being her very best at Championships. She finished 6th in the all around not showing full difficulty and with a few errors. If she's back at 100%, she is absolutely someone that could fill that UB/BB role but the question is will she be back in time.<br />
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Trinity Thomas finished third on BB and can also fill the BB role. She's incredibly steady there and also has a solid uneven bar.<br />
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Alyona Shchennikova is an interesting one. She's been making a name for herself over the past few years. She won the US Classic but went from being a talked about girl to being forgotten in the shuffle. I have a hard time calling her a true bar worker because of her flexed feet and dangerous dismount but she does have excellent swing. Will the fact that she's a stronger reincarnation of Nastia Liukin change anything? Her floor is literally Nastia 2.0.<br />
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Ashton Locklear seemed to be an easy and obvious choice except for the fact that she is not, at the moment, the number one uneven bar worker in the US. Locklear took some time off after Rio and has been working hard getting back in shape. She's yet another gymnast not quite at 100%. Locklear has room to improve her UB D by adding back her in bar skills. She is still training balance beam though I don't think that changes much, especially since this isn't a team worlds. I can't tell if she's injured or has a lot of pressure on her shoulders as the new grandma of the team but she seems a little worn down. She's still my favorite American bar worker but she's not quite giving that exclamation mark that she used to give.<br />
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The last 2 are Emily Gaskins and Margzetta Frazier. I don't think Gaskins has much of a shot of making the team barring injury from others. She finished 4th on floor exercise. Frazier, on the other hand, finished just outside of the medals at Championships. She is another one that boasts an Amanar vault but didn't compete it due to a recent injury. Should she rise up in the AA competitions at camps, there's a chance that she could be the second all arounder with McCusker UB/BB and Chiles OR Carey as VT/FX. If she's not on the team, she'd make an excellent alternate.<br />
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My final pick for the team... I can't quite make. I think Ragan Smith and Riley McCusker are locks. I think in the end, McCusker will do all around leaving specialist spots open. What are your thoughts?<br />
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<br />Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-43554936986441839452017-08-02T16:12:00.000-04:002017-09-03T19:24:24.060-04:00Partial Roster 2017-2018<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEwkb7IF1XeaMMR1X440XP3PfAkZNHFwl0_Xd5lkIwbUDChwf8z6PA_kLqpeTQ4PaCeUFU6zmhpFxKWZfNcNAHDDvSmARy5q6Uu1Nkp9QeEhzkFso_VK5RxuCfcHNzxCstC2hRAiufGQv/s1600/Cr4KrshUEAElBzy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEwkb7IF1XeaMMR1X440XP3PfAkZNHFwl0_Xd5lkIwbUDChwf8z6PA_kLqpeTQ4PaCeUFU6zmhpFxKWZfNcNAHDDvSmARy5q6Uu1Nkp9QeEhzkFso_VK5RxuCfcHNzxCstC2hRAiufGQv/s320/Cr4KrshUEAElBzy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A running list of rosters. Next year it will contain all 4 years! This is for the Top 20-ish schools and I plan to grow the list with time. Class year determines when the athletes matriculated for their first term as a freshman unless otherwise noted. For example, class of 2016 means the athletes started college in 2016 and first competed January 2017.<br />
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<br />
<table id="injury">
<tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Alabama</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Kylie Dickson<br />
Lexi Graber<br />
Bailie Key<br />
Alonza Klopfer</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Wynter Childers<br />
Madison Desch<br />
Shea Mahoney
</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Abby Armbrecht<br />
<strike>Jenna Bresette</strike><br />
<strike>Amanda Huang</strike><br />
<strike>Avery Rickett</strike></td></tr>
<tr><td></td><td><strike>Caitlin Cole</strike></td><td>Angelina Giancroce<br />
Ariana Guerra</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Amanda Huang transferred to Ohio State for her sophomore year<br />
Avery Rickett ? medical retirement<br />
Bailie Key changed commitment from Florida to Alabama<br />
Bressette, Cole unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Arizona</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Payton Bellows<br />
Sydney Freidin<br />
Laura Horton<br />
Adra Parks</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Christina Berg<br />
Courtney Cowles<br />
Heather Swanson
</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;"><strike>Charlie Dembo</strike><br />
Haylie Hendrickson<br />
<strike>Brittany Robertson</strike><br />
<strike>Skyler Sheppard</strike><br />
Danielle Spencer</td>
</tr>
<tr><td><br /></td><td><strike>Shannon Farrell</strike><br />
<strike>Isabell Hutchins</strike><br />
Jenny Leung<br />
Maddi Leydin</td><td>Lauryn Mattson</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Christina Berg '16 was Auburn<br />
Robertson is no longer at Arizona.<br />
Farrell, Dembo, Hutchins unknown<br />
Sheppard transferred to Auburn</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Arkansas</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Sophia Carter<br />
Kailey Gillings<br />
Sydney Laird</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Michaela Burton<br />
Hailey Garner<br />
Sarah Shaffer<br />
Jessica Yamzon</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Mackenzie Anderson<br />
Sydney McGlone</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lakin Legereit<br />Ellie Wylie</td><td>Kirby Rathjen</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Shaffer is a redshirt and will have an additional year</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Auburn</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Sydney Bassett<br />
Allie Riddle<br />
Ashley Smith<br />
Meredith Syliva<br />
Drew Watson</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Katie Becker<br />
Gracie Day<br />
Kendal Moss</td>
<td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Samantha Cerio<br />
Emma Engler<br />
Taylor Krippner<br />
Emma Slappey*</td>
</tr>
<tr><td>Jada Glenn</td><td><br /></td><td>Telah Black<br />
A'Miracal Phillips<br />
Skyler Sheppard</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Christina Berg '16 switched to Arizona<br />
Slappey is a redshirt and will have an additional year<br />
Skyler Sheppard transferred from Arizona in her junior year.</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Boise State</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Tatum Bruden<br />
Emily Muhlenhaupt<br />
Rachel Obmann<br />
Tessa Otuafi</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Isabelle Amado<br />
Courtney McGregor<br />
McKinley Pavicic</td>
<td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Sarah Means<br />
Shani Remme</td>
</tr>
<tr><td></td><td>McKenna Morrell<br />
Maddison Nilson</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Emily Muhlenhaupt '17 was a Utah commit.</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Cal</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Kyana George<br />
Alma Kuc<br />
Victoria Salem<br />
Nina Schank</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Cassidy Keelen<br />
Rachael Mastrangelo</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Emily Howe<br />
Sofie Seilnacht<br />
Sylvie Seilnacht<br />
Chelsea Shu</td></tr>
<tr><td>Maleah Pearson<br />
Mariah Peterson<br />
Lauren Ramirez</td><td>Alex Dudschus<br />
Mariah Peterson</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: </td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Denver</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Lynnzee Brown<br />
Emily Glynn<br />
Mia Sundstrom</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Maddie Karr<br />
Courtney Loper<br />
Samantha Ogden</td>
<td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Claire Kern<br />
Kaitlyn Schou</td></tr>
<tr><td></td><td></td><td>Grace Broadhurst<br />
Diana Chesnok</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Mia Sundstrom early?</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Eastern Michigan</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Megan Benzie<br />
Cali Harden<br />
Brianna Price</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: </td>
</tr>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Florida</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Vanasia Bradley<br />
Jazmyn Foberg<br />
Megan Skaggs</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Maegan Chant<br />
Rachel Gowey<br />
Amelia Hundley</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Alicia Boren<br />
Amanda Cheney<br />
Lacy Dagen<br />
<strike>Peyton Ernst</strike><br />
Ashley Hiller</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Alyssa Baumann</td><td>Sierra Alexander</td></tr>
<tr><td>Nicole Webb</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Chant graduated in 2015, signed NLI in 2016.<br />
Peyton Ernst was medically released<br />
Baumann was c/o 2016 but is deferring a year for medical reasons.<br />
Foberg was c/o 2018 but graduated early</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Georgia</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Ashley Foss<br />
Emily Schild<br />
Marissa Oakley</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Rachel Dickson<br />
Sabrina Vega</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Caroline Bradford<br />
Gracie Cherrey<br />
Sydney Snead</td></tr>
<tr><td>Madison McPherson</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Jordyn Pedersen</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Pedersen deferred to 2016<br />
Alexis Beucler (2016) changed commitment to NC State.<br />
Samantha Durante was c/o 2017***</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Illinois</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Nicole Biondi<br />
Grace Gough<br />
Kylie Noonan</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Rae Balthazor<br />
Lindsay Dwyer<br />
Karen Howell<br />
Brittany Jones</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Julia Hutcherson<br />
Lizzy LeDuc<br />
Brielle Nguyen<br />
Haylee Roe</td></tr>
<tr><td>Kasey Meeks<br />
Tessa Phillips</td><td></td><td>Rachael Donovan</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes:</td>
</tr>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">LSU</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Reagan Campbell<br />
Christina Desiderio<br />
Gracen Standley</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Kennedi Edney<br />
Ruby Harrold<br />
Ashlyn Kirby</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Julianna Cannamela<br />
Sarah Finnegan<br />
Mckenna Kelley<br />
Lexie Priessman<br />
Kaitlyn Szafranski</td></tr>
<tr><td>Bridget Dean</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Harrold deferred to 2016.
Desiderio was c/o 2018, matriculated early<br />
Kaitlyn Szafranski went to Arizona State</td>
</tr>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Michigan</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Lauren Farley<br />
Sydney Townsend</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Lexi Funk<br />
Maggie O'Hara<br />
Madison Osman<br />
Polina Shchennikova</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Olivia Karas<br />
Emma McLean</td></tr>
<tr><td>Carly Gordon</td><td>Sam Roy</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
<tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Minnesota</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Ona Loper<br />
Lexi Montgomery<br />
Lexy Ramler</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Casey Betts<br />
Ivy Lu<br />
Kristen Quaglia<br />
Ryan Stach<br />
Rebecca Taylor</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Rachel Cutler<br />
Selena Ung</td></tr>
<tr><td></td><td>Julia Huebert<br />
Nicole Rogalski</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: </td>
</tr>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Nebraska</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Anika Dujakovich<br />
Torri Hutchinson<br />
Kynsee Roby</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Alexa Clark<br />
Sierra Hassel<br />
Taylor Houchin</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Kami Amemiya-Shows*<br />
Sienna Crouse<br />
Catelyn Orel<br />
Megan Schweihofer</td></tr>
<tr><td>Kelsye Kurtiak<br />
Rachel Thompson<br />
Brooke Wrage</td><td></td><td>Kelli Chung*<br />
Megan Kuo*</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Shows, Chung and Kuo are red shirt freshman</td>
</tr>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Oklahoma</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Abigail Matthews<br />
Evy Schoepfer<br />
Ellie Wylie</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Jade Degouveia<br />
Maggie Nichols<br />
Brehanna Showers</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Alex Marks<br />
Nicole Lehrmann<br />
Megan Thompson</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes:</td>
</tr>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Oregon State</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Savannah Force<br />
Alexis Gonzalez<br />
Kaitlin Yanish</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Isis Lowery<br />
<i>Brianna McCant</i></td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Mariana Colussi-Pelaez<br />
McKenna Singley</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Sabrina Gill</td></tr>
<tr><td></td><td>Halli Briscoe<br />
Kaitlin Campbell<br />
Destinee Davis<br />
Lena Greene<br />
Jaime Law<br />
Maela Lazaro<br />
Alyssa Minyard</td><td>Mary Jacobsen<br />
Elizabeth Yu</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Gill deferred to 2016<br />
Brianna McCant passed away summer 2017</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
<tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Penn State</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Alissa Bonsall<br />
Lauren Bridgens<br />
Kourtney Chinnery<br />
Ava Verdeflor</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Tess McCracken<br />
Kristen Politz<br />
Mikayla Waddell</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Sabrina Garcia<br />
Mason Hosek<br />
Jessica Jones</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td></td><td></td><td>Amber Autry<br />
Madi Heckman<br />
Gianna LaGuardia<br />
Peyton Schuller</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
<tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Stanford</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Kyla Bryant<br />
Rachael Flam<br />
Taylor Lawson<br />
Lauren Navarro<br />
Catherine Rogers</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Kaylee Cole<br />
Aleeza Yu</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Taryn Fitzgerald<br />
Hailee Hoffman<br />
Dare Maxwell</td></tr>
<tr><td></td><td>Ashley Tai</td><td>Nicole Hoffman</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: </td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">UCLA</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Nia Dennis<br />
Pauline Tratz</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Anna Glenn<br />
Grace Glenn<br />
Felicia Hano</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Katelyn Ohashi<br />
Madison Preston<br />
Macy Toronjo*</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Madison Kocian<br />
Kyla Ross</td></tr>
<tr><td>Savannah Kooyman<br />
Francesca Lawal<br />
Lilia Waller</td><td>Maria Caire<br />
Gracie Kramer<br />
Giulianna Pino<br />
Mercedez Sanchez</td><td><strike>Matteah Brow</strike><br />
Stella Savvidou (Jan)<br />
<strike>Nicki Shapiro
</strike></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Kocian and Ross signed with the class of 2015 but deferring to 2016<br />
Biles '15 is a professional athlete<br />
Nica Hults verbally committed but unfortunately has not matriculated<br />
Toronjo is a red shirt freshman<br />
Shapiro and Brow are not on the 2016-2017 roster</td>
</tr>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Utah</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Alexia Burch<br />
Sydney Soloski</td><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Melissa Reinstadtler<br />
Kim Tessen</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Shannon McNatt<br />
MaKenna Merrell<br />
Erika Muhaw<br />
Sabrina Schwab</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Mykayla Skinner</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sarah Smith</td><td></td><td>Macey Roberts</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Skinner is deferring to 2016<br />
Hannah Miller '16 was initially verbally committed to Utah but signed NLI for BYU<br />
Roberts is a transfer from Maryland for the 2017 season</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Washington</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2017</b></td><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Jennifer Oh<br />
Geneva Thompson</td></tr>
<tr><td>Rachel Kaplan<br />
Hannah Willmarth</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Skinner is deferring to 2016<br />
Hannah Miller '16 was initially verbally committed to Utah but signed NLI for BYU<br />
Roberts is a transfer from Maryland for the 2017 season</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-71061053635501236242017-04-07T19:03:00.000-04:002017-08-05T08:22:12.776-04:00Gymnastics Injuries 2017<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFihVqZTjGeWEbi1T4cnZfTFIBY2gl_p939w5IHluUjbI4NQJ35sKmib6cHCXz_6CbRTwnN6PioFeh5uKFLJwGZVzHvTl4Sx-b0i24Vlg2WyvdkkyAAwdtnb5WlRBkDIH1Gkez1ZyFRaE/s1600/17553703_10153781686862168_6422303723973097456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFihVqZTjGeWEbi1T4cnZfTFIBY2gl_p939w5IHluUjbI4NQJ35sKmib6cHCXz_6CbRTwnN6PioFeh5uKFLJwGZVzHvTl4Sx-b0i24Vlg2WyvdkkyAAwdtnb5WlRBkDIH1Gkez1ZyFRaE/s320/17553703_10153781686862168_6422303723973097456_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm back! I don't particularly like this list because I do indeed have a heart. I also like having a reference though for injuries and such. So... here we are! I've included the 2016 list below just so we know who's still out in this new quad.<br />
<br />
<table id="injury"><tbody>
<tr><td><h3>
2017</h3>
</td></tr>
<tr><th style="width: 200px;">Name (Country)</th><th style="width: 300px;">Injury</th><th style="width: 105px;">Return to Competition</th></tr>
<tr><td>Becky Downie GBR</td><td>Elbow tear (Apr)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Sofia Busato ITA</td><td>ACL tear (Apr)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Georgia-Mae Fenton GBR</td><td>Hamstring injury (Apr)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Ellie Downie GBR</td><td>Ankle injury (Mar)<br />
Ankle surgery (Aug)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Kelly Simm GBR</td><td>Foot surgery ()</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Gabby Jupp GBR</td><td>Foot surgery (Mar)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Abi Solari GBR</td><td>Foot surgery</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><h3>
2016</h3>
</td></tr>
<tr><th style="width: 200px;">Name (Country)</th><th style="width: 300px;">Injury</th><th style="width: 100px;">Return to Competition</th></tr>
<tr><td>Tyesha Mattis GBR</td><td>??? (Mar)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Carlotta Ferlito ITA</td><td>??? (Mar)</td><td>Jul 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ekaterina Sokova RUS</td><td>??? (Mar)</td><td><i>? retirement</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>Fan Yilin CHN</td><td>Shoulder pain (Mar)</td><td>Apr 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Pauline Schaefer GER</td><td>Shoulder pain (Mar)</td><td>Apr 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Alyssa Baumann USA</td><td>Elbow surgery (Jun)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Larisa Iordache ROU</td><td>Finger fracture and surgery (Mar)</td><td>Jul 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Nina Derwael BEL</td><td>Hand injury (Mar)</td><td>Aug 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Viktoria Komova RUS</td><td>Back injury (Mar)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Kim Janas GER</td><td>ACL tear (May '15)<br />
Elbow dislocation (Feb)</td><td>Nov 2016<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Mary-Anne Monckton AUS</td><td>ACL tear (Mar)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Lisa Top NED</td><td>PCL and meniscus tear (May)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Aleeza Yu CAN</td><td>Knee injury (Oct '14)<br />
Ankle injury (Feb)</td><td>Feb 2016<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Tabea Alt GER</td><td>Knee injury (Mar)</td><td>Apr 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Jonna Adlerteg SWE</td><td>Meniscus surgery (Mar)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Maggie Nichols USA</td><td>Meniscus surgery (Apr)</td><td>Jun 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Roxana Popa ESP</td><td>Meniscus surgery (Mar)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Nia Dennis USA</td><td>Achilles surgery (Feb)</td><td>Jun 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wyomi Masela NED</td><td>Achilles surgery (Feb)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Maartje Ruikes NED</td><td>Achilles injury (Feb)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Norah Flatley USA</td><td>Ankle injury (Feb)</td><td>May 2016 (c)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ksenia Afanasyeva RUS</td><td>Ankle injury (Jul)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Maria Kharenkova RUS</td><td>Ankle injury (Jul)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Laura Jurca ROU</td><td>Ankle fracture (Mar)</td><td>Nov 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-31527643889516839072017-02-09T21:42:00.001-05:002017-02-09T23:07:22.136-05:00Larisa Iordache Set to Return<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ftERLIyO2dpBKykZmY8e0VRGDgGIKhgsBVGc1oPdbktm3n8r66shkUc-24RXNboDWvVnyO__Jz3dr7exk3CbcGmj0g1JNHpQBizOnfcHVAVqpr7NBmZhjVoZVHLMvgKFDIwCSGyu1rtk/s1600/larisa.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ftERLIyO2dpBKykZmY8e0VRGDgGIKhgsBVGc1oPdbktm3n8r66shkUc-24RXNboDWvVnyO__Jz3dr7exk3CbcGmj0g1JNHpQBizOnfcHVAVqpr7NBmZhjVoZVHLMvgKFDIwCSGyu1rtk/s320/larisa.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Larisa Iordache is set to make her return to major competition at the Stuttgart World Cup. This will take place in Germany on March 18-19. It's been nearly a year since we last saw Iordache in competition. In that time, Romania failed to qualify a team to the Olympics. Catalina Ponor was chosen as the Romanian delegate since they only had an individual spot. This competition will mean a lot to Iordache and also the Romanian federation. This will be a chance for all to see where she is in her training and give us an idea if Romania is set for better things this quadrennium.<br />
<br />
There are new qualification rules to the 2020 Olympics to try and encourage higher level participation at the World Cups. USA did send athletes last year and seems like the trend will continue this year. New senior Jordan Chiles has been selected to compete. She was injured at the 2016 US Championships. She was one of the juniors the boasted incredibly high difficulty, including an Amanar vault. She has the potential to be in the running for the US Worlds team and this will likely be a step towards that selection.<br />
<br />
Member of the Dutch Olympic team and all around finalist Eythora Thorsdottir will also be in the competition and looking for a medal. She recently competed at a meet in Iceland where she scored a 56.350. This was one of our first chances to see the new code in action. One of the things to note is that the scores are considerably lower with lower vault D scores, fewer composition requirements, and changes to some dismount rules. So this score would be the equivalent of about a 58. Thorsdottir is here and on a mission.<br />
<br />
Canada's Isabela Onyshko is set to compete. She recently missed Elite Canada due to injury so we'll see if she's healed enough for the upcoming meet. Claudia Fragapane of Great Britain will set to compete in her first competition since the Olympics. She was recently on Strictly Come Dancing so there's much excitement to see what may have changed in her form and dance. Two of Germany's Olympians, Tabea Alt and Pauline Schaefer, will be in attendance in front of a home crowd. Rounding out the competition is China's Zhang Jin, who was sent to the 2016 Test Event.<br />
<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
2017 Stuttgart World Cup competitors - Women<br />
Canada: Isabela Onyshko<br />
China: Zhang Jin<br />
Great Britain: Claudia Fragapane<br />
Germany: Tabea Alt<br />
Germany: Pauline Schaefer<br />
Netherlands: Eythora Thorsdottir<br />
Romania: Larisa Iordache<br />
USA: Jordan Chiles<br />
<br />
2017 Stuttgart World Cup competitors - Men<br />
Brazil: Francesco Barreto<br />
China: Sun Wei<br />
Great Britain: James Hall<br />
Germany: Lukas Dauser<br />
Germany: Philipp Herder<br />
Japan: Kazuma Kaya<br />
Russia: Nikita Ignatyev<br />
Ukraine: Oleg Vernaiev<br />
USA: Sam Mikulak<br />
<br />
The Stuttgart Team Challenge will take place alongside this competition March 17-19.Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-62148629802077543062017-01-07T18:28:00.000-05:002017-01-07T18:31:49.240-05:00LSU Dominates at Season Opener<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0HUyXgmczU5encX6UWow92Vh8IFAJjUtvrMXFA0elP-Wh-t20mcFX872xPl2pXf9dbhh-0O2w9RaN517wmKp62E03JgZdQYUBBdlmO5c2p_59T2265NUmBjiNJz7NvdPBMsYY8b8GE2X/s1600/LIOYRPJRUAHKOQI.20170107050405.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0HUyXgmczU5encX6UWow92Vh8IFAJjUtvrMXFA0elP-Wh-t20mcFX872xPl2pXf9dbhh-0O2w9RaN517wmKp62E03JgZdQYUBBdlmO5c2p_59T2265NUmBjiNJz7NvdPBMsYY8b8GE2X/s320/LIOYRPJRUAHKOQI.20170107050405.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
The NCAA season is officially upon us. #2 LSU beat #9 Georgia in their season opener with a 197.825, the highest score in LSU opening season history.<br />
<br />
The LSU Tigers started off warm on vault but then the fire was unleashed when freshman Kennedi Edney stuck her one and a half twisting Yurchenko and scored a 9.950. The rotation continued with Myia Hambrick sticking her Yurchenko full for a 9.925. Ashleigh Gnat was the anchor with a superb double twisting Yurchenko with excellent height and improved form. She had a hop back for a 9.925.<br />
<br />
Bars has a new lead off routine in Canadian senior Shae Zamardi. Due to an injury, the decision was made to take out her unique Markhelov release. Because of this and her difficult to stick double arabian, Zamardi was moved to the start of the lineup. The nice thing is that LSU now has a solid easily 9.8+ gymnast leading their lineup with the hope that scores will only build. Zamardi hit her routine for a 9.850. Hambrick had a great routine for a 9.875. Gnat was next in the lineup and got stuck on her full pirouette and lost her form in a few places to score a 9.775. Edney continued to deliver in her college debut with a beautiful Hindorff and a 9.875. Finnegan showed off her beautiful lines throughout her routine for a 9.9. Lexie Priessman has the anchor spot on bars and earned a 9.875.<br />
<br />
Erin Macadaeg is back from a foot fracture to lead the Tigers off on beam. Macadaeg was training the all around but had to pull back for the first meet while recovering from her injury. She had an excellent routine without a single wobble for a 9.9. Lauren Li, transfer from Penn State, made her debut as a Tiger with a wonderful beam routine and a 9.850. Ewing, Finnegan, Gnat closed out the lineup with 9.9, 9.95, 9.875, respectively. Finnegan showed her triple wolf turn.<br />
<br />
The Tigers then went to floor, the event for which they are well known for difficult tumbling and unique choreography. Sydney Ewing started things off with a 9.85. Senior Zamardi was 2nd up and mounted with a beautiful double arabian but had to take a large step forward. She earned a 9.850. Priessman had the 3rd slot. Unfortunately, she fell on her double pike dismount and scored a 9.200. Hambrick was up next with a cute but sassy routine. Her opening double layout was a little short but the remainder of her routine was solid for a 9.9. McKenna Kelley had a phenomenal routine with a double layout mount. Her second pass was a very open and high full in. She dismounted with a double pike and scored a 9.925. Gnat closed out the meet with a lovely double arabian at the start of her routine and scored a 9.950.<br />
<br />
Notably missing from the floor was Ruby Harrold. An Olympic alternate in 2012 and an Olympian in 2016 for Great Britain, Harrold is best known for her unique releases on uneven bars. She competed at Gymnastics 101 where they mentioned that she had been ill recently and was working to get her strength back. She is a gymnast that has a Yurchenko 1.5, worth a 10 so I imagine they would want her in that lineup as well.<br />
<br />
Myia Hambrick won the all around with a 39.575. Close behind was Ashleigh Gnat with a 39.525. Georgia's Sydney Snead finished 3rd with a 39.225.<br />
<br />
Georgia had a rough meet finishing with a 193.600, their lowest opening score since 1999. Beam continued to be rough for Georgia having to count four scores ranging from 9.150-9.625. Highlights of the meet were all arounder Sydney Snead who had a hiccup on floor but finished well everywhere else, including Georgia's team high on beam of 9.800. Sabrina Vega made her return to competition for the first time in almost 4 years. She had some wobbles on balance beam to earn a 9.625. Her floor exercise was lovely, mounted with a full in, and earning a 9.775. Morgan Reynolds returned on 3 events (all but beam) after missing the majority of last year's season due to severe infection with E. coli.<br />
<br />
Notably missing for Georgia was Natalie Vaculik who would be a helpful score on beam but especially on bars.<br />
<br />
<br />
The Tigers will compete again next week against #3 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Alabama just suffered a loss against #1 defending National Champions Oklahoma, 196.700-197.750. They will be eager for a win at home.<br />
<a href="http://www.lsusports.net/fls/5200/gymstats/2017Georgia.htm"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.lsusports.net/fls/5200/gymstats/2017Georgia.htm">Results</a><br />
Photo by Chris ParentArabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-57830514083081180902016-12-03T19:32:00.001-05:002016-12-03T20:05:44.195-05:00Interview with Roxana Popa<div style="text-align: center;">
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Gimnastas.net recently interviewed Roxana Popa. Popa was born in Romania but moved to Spain at the age of six. She was an immediate asset to the Spanish team. She was a member of their junior European team and continued her success as a senior. In 2013, she finished sixth in the all around and seventh in the floor final at the European Championship. She competed at both the 2013 and 2014 World Championships where she competed in the all around finals. At the end of 2014, she had a knee injury that revealed a torn ACL that was likely an old injury. Since then, Popa has had multiple surgeries and is now recovering from a procedure in October. She did return to competition at the 2015 World Championships where she competed on the uneven bars. Popa was best known for her prowess on the uneven bars and floor exercise.<br />
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<i>Hello, Roxana. Thank you very much for answering our questions. Could you please tell us how you started doing gymnastics?</i><br />
I started at age 4. I was a very hyperactive girl that used to climb the furniture around the house, jump, and run non-stop. My mother did rhythmic gymnastics and that's why she realized that I needed to relieve that energy, and not in the same gymnastics discipline as her. So she took me to the gym where I then trained for about two years.<br />
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When we got to the gym, the coach (Ciprian Cretu) said that I was very young and when I heard it I began to cry, and I don't know in what order things happened, but according to what my mother told me, I began to climb a rope that was in the gym while they were talking, and when the coach saw me he asked me to stay that afternoon. At the end of the training session he told my parents that I had a talent that could be clearly seen, and that's how everything began.<br />
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<i>How was your life in Romania?</i><br />
I honestly don't remember much. I remember my father used to work abroad because he was a general officer in the armed forces, he was in the navy, and my brother and I used to stay with my mother. Later on, my father came to Spain and soon afterwards it was my mother the one who left, leaving me with my maternal grandparents and my brother with my grandmother on my father's side. Some time later, when they saved enough money, they were able to bring us to Spain by bus.<br />
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<i>When did you move to Spain? What was the hardest part in a personal level? And about gymnastics, what was the hardest part of starting training here? What differences did you notice in the ways of training between Romania and Spain?</i><br />
We came to Spain when I was about 6 years old, so because of the kind of training that you do at that age, you don't really appreciate any changes. Training was not hard for me at all. The first place we went to was to the Spanish National Training Center in Madrid, hoping I could train with Jesús Carballo. I also had a letter of recommendation from my coach in Romania, but once again I was too young, and they sent me to the best place I could go to until I turned the age to prepare for the junior category, and then return to the Spanish National Training Center to start my gymnastics career seriously. But it didn’t turn out like that for different reasons that I partially don't know, they didn't want me to leave, and they got into my head that the National Training Center was a horrible place where you get beaten up, and many more things. Today, after five years, almost six, of being in the National Center, and after two Olympic cycles in which the gymnasts have changed, I have never seen or have been through anything like that. Moreover, I am who I am thanks to them.
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In a personal level, it took me quite a lot to fit in at school, not because of the language but because of my classmates. Let's say I had a difficult Primary school, also because of the teachers, who never quite understood my situation; we didn't own a car yet and I had to take three buses to get to the gym every afternoon, and another three to go back home, coming to practice at around 7 p.m. and leaving at 9 p.m., and getting home at 10-11 p.m., and then shower, dinner, and homework and more homework. I always fell asleep while doing them, and my parents used to try to finish them so that I didn't have problems at school ... But of course the following day the teachers, despite the efforts of my parents, would realize that it wasn't me who had done the homework, so they tore the sheets out of my notebook and I had to start all over.<br />
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<i>How and when did you start training in the Spanish National Training Center in Madrid?</i><br />
I got there because of my elbow injury after the club responsible for the injury left me in the lurch, I was not useful for them anymore. The second surgery was carried out thanks to María José San Martín (from the Spanish Gymnastics Federation), she was the only person who got involved in my case and got Dr. González to see me in the Deyre clinic. He got in touch with Dr. Tabuenca, who was my surgeon, and they laid down the details of my surgery. Then I started my recovery in the National Training Center in Madrid with the support of the technical team, and they were the ones that, besides giving me a second chance to live a normal life, got me back to gymnastics.
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<i>What are your best and worst memories to date in gymnastics?</i><br />
My best memories... I think the best of them all was, on the one hand, the American Cup; before entering the competition arena it came to me the memory of everything, that a few years before I would be retired, I simply thought: "Look where you got" and I began to cry, trying to hide it, but I did cry, I admit it. On the other hand, the first competition in which I competed after [the injury] of my cruciate [ligament], the Novara Cup, when I finished my uneven bars routine. Once again, the words of my mother -which she hasn’t stopped repeating since March, when I had the second surgery on the knee -came to my mind: "You're strong, we'll get through this, you're going to make it."<br />
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The worst moments are related to several things, starting with the second surgery in my elbow, to how I spent the week in the hospital suffering the physical rehabilitation. The day after the surgery they removed the cast. It had been placed with my arm extended and with the palm up, and they started to move my arm by force. I could not stop crying out in pain and begging them to stop, but it was the best for me. And with that came the disappointment to all of the people around me (except by my family obviously), which made me realize that when they get something out of you you are useful, but when you are not, they give you the heave-ho.<br />
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On the other hand, I remember María Paula Vargas' injuries. I became very attached to her, she was my role model and I remember it hurt seeing her go through both injuries, and seeing her getting out of both helped me face my knee injury.<br />
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The last and worst moment I might say, because I've been aware of all of it, has been seeing in March how the Olympic Games slipped between my fingers after so long and so much ... It is painful.<br />
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<i>Of all the places you've competed, what has been your favorite or where would you like to compete again?</i><br />
American Cup. It has always been something I have dreamed of. I remember watching the competitions when I was little, with the flag in the background, and saying: "I want to be there."<br />
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<i>What is your favorite event? And your favorite skill? What skill or combination would you like to do in the future?
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My favorite event... Honestly if I had to choose it would be between the uneven bars and floor. My favorite skill... I could not say: double layout on floor, the tumbling pass with the whip backs... I enjoyed doing them. On the uneven bars, the full twisting double layout dismount, the Shaposnikova... I have no favorite elements as such. I would like to pull off the elements that I once worked on: the full-in full-out on floor, the Amanar vault, the full-in full-out layout dismount on bars, etc.<br />
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<i>Do you choose your own floor music? With what kind of music do you feel most comfortable?</i><br />
I usually suggest and search for music. The latest ones were chosen for me by Sara Bayón, coach of the national rhythmic gymnastics group.<br />
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<i>What gymnasts do you admire?</i><br />
I don’t admire just one. I admire many who, like me, have their story, and having gone through similar things you understand them better and you appreciate the effort.<br />
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<i>Could you please explain the problems you've had in your knee? Will you have surgery again? (Note that the questions for this interview were sent to her before her latest surgery and she didn’t respond until after the surgery) Could you please tell us why, and how long do you think it will take you to recover?</i><br />
In December 2014 I broke my cruciate ligament in the AMG [Mexican Gymnastics Open], I had surgery and they fixed it, they took a piece of my lateral meniscus and another one was sewn into the medial meniscus. I started training slowly, and in March this year without a bad fall, for no apparent reason, I broke my medial meniscus, the one that was sewn. I had surgery again in April and the loose piece was removed. For some reason I had the feeling that my knee went out rather frequently and even when doing things such as walking faster, or running, or going downstairs... I went back to have Dr. Leyes, our surgeon, and he concluded that there was hypermobility in the cruciate ligament and had a considerable pivot. I had an MRI but nothing could be seen in it because what was used to secure the ligament was a piece that caused a stain on the screen. The only option was to have surgery again but this time a tendon would have to be brought from the morgue. I have had the tunnels enlarged, the tendon has been moved through the tibia to limit the pivot and reduce the chances of that movement breaking it again. The surgery went better than expected, there were no complications. I was in the hospital under observation from Friday, the 14th of October until Monday, when I left hospital, and afterwards I spent two weeks with the splint at home. Over time, what is sought this time is a little stiffness to avoid the hypermobility of the tendon, so physical rehabilitation will be much slower and controlled. The rehabilitation period will take more or less about 9 months, and for top competition, some more.<br />
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<i>Were you able to train in recent months?</i><br />
Not since March, when I broke my meniscus and started with the bad sensations again.<br />
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<i>Overall you've been rather unlucky with injuries, besides the change of nationality, etc. What keeps you motivated to keep doing gymnastics?</i><br />
It is not motivation, you know you have to fight your way out of each of them, because when you get more mature, gymnastically speaking, you know that sooner or later you will get injured. No athlete enjoys getting injured nor undergoing physical rehabilitation, we like to train, but without a proper rehabilitation that will not be possible, so the love for the sport you do is what makes you keep going.<br />
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<i>What are your plans for the future in gymnastics? What do you think could be your next competition? Do you think you will be able to participate in the next European Championships, that will be held in your home country Romania?</i><br />
Unfortunately, no. I'd love to, but first comes my knee, and my recovery is the most important thing. To date I have lost the most you could lose at a competitive level, so everything else can wait.<br />
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<i>Besides gymnastics, are you working or at school right now?</i><br />
I'm at school, since last year I left it to prepare for the Olympic Games.<br />
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<i>Have you ever considered competing NCAA or has any American University offered you a scholarship? Have you perhaps received any offer from an European league? Do you follow American collegiate gymnastics, European leagues, or like a team in particular?</i><br />
I've never thought about it, but I have seen some competitions, and it's a joy to watch, it is a very nice way to take your gymnastics career to another level when you decide to stop competing elite.<br />
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<i>What would you like to do when you retire?</i><br />
I honestly don't know, I've thought a lot about becoming a choreographer, it is something I've always enjoyed and it would be another way to stay involved with gymnastics. Apart from that, I have also considered some things outside of gymnastics, but I can't make up my mind.<br />
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<i>What do you think of the situation of Romanian gymnastics now that they didn’t qualify a team for the Olympics, or that Cătălina was the individual representative?</i><br />
I think that they are not machines. Gymnastics is a sport in which you can lose, and it's OK. I think it is disrespectful when people criticize their losing streak. Behind the misfortune of failing and not qualifying, there is a lot of work by newcomers and inexperienced girls, but also by the veterans and the coaches. It's a sport, no one is programmed to always win.<br />
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<i>We have seen that you have a leotard with your signature, and we loved it when we saw it. Is it still for sale? Could you give us a link in case anyone wants to buy it?</i><br />
Yes! A new leotard has been recently released, actually Gimar Gym has done a great job. It may sound weird... But even I wanted to have it, lol. They have it on their official website, here: <a href="http://www.gimargym.com/home/165-elegance-verde.html" target="_blank">http://www.gimargym.com/home/165-elegance-verde.html</a><br />
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<i>Out of curiosity and because we have seen your snapchats, how many cats do you have?</i><br />
I have 7, yes 7. I love them, why lie. My parents brought home the first cat we had, who unfortunately got lost, but I brought home all the others.<br />
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<i>We've seen you post quite often on social networks. Do you interact much with the people who follow you?</i><br />
Yes, whenever I can. Actually I don't usually look at the messages but when I do I always try to answer. I've always tried to give people the idea that they won't bother me if they write to me; on the contrary, I like it, in the end I am a normal girl.<br />
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<i>We are going to translate this interview into English since you have many fans abroad, is there anything you want to tell them?</i><br />
Little more than what is already known, thanks for the support received during these past two years from all over the world.<br />
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<i>And in general, is there anything else you would like to add or you want to tell us?</i><br />
About my leotard, it is not known exactly when, but a new one will be released soon.<br />
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Thank you very much, Roxana. We wish you the best. :)
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Thank you GimnastasNet. You can read the original Spanish interview <a href="http://www.gimnastas.net/entrevista-a-roxana-popa/">here</a>.Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-35870762364761611252016-11-29T21:36:00.002-05:002016-11-29T22:32:11.620-05:00New Talent Shines at Top Gym<div style="text-align: center;">
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The annual Top Gym competition took place last weekend in Charleroi, Belgium. It's a junior competition that proves to caattract some future stars. Past attendees include Jordyn Wieber, Amy Tinkler, Jonna Adlerteg, Larisa Iordache, Diana Bulimar, and Axelle Klinckaert to name a few.<br />
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The star of the meet was Célia Serber of France who will turn senior in 2019. She won the all around with a 51.833. I couldn't find video of her vault but early in the year, she had a full twisting Yurchenko. On bars, she shows a strong Jaeger but has some form issues on her Pak. She dismounts with a lovely full twisting double layout! There wasn't much difficulty yet in her floor routine (she opens with a double pike) but it was a great performance. Beam was where she really caught my eye. She has an air of confidence on beam and has some actual moments of choreography that remind me of Claire Martin meets UCLA. She scored a 13.450 (5.7D) for the routine below.<br />
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Naomi Visser of the Netherlands finished in 2nd with a 51.699. She will join the senior ranks in 2017. Her best scores were on vault and floor exercise where she showed that the Dutch philosophy of lower difficulty with clean execution and excellent performance value is alive and well.<br />
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Olivia Cimpian of Romania, senior in 2017, has been making a name for herself recently and is one of the hopes for Romania next quadrennium. She had multiple falls on balance beam which cost her the gold medal but earned her a bronze. In event finals, she won vault and floor gold with silvers on bars and beam. I realized that she seems to be the gymnastics love child of Ana Porgras and Larisa Iordache making her floor enjoyable to watch with the highest difficulty of the competition. She shows both a piked and tucked full in during this routine. 13.550/5.4D for the routine below<br />
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Other notable mentions goes to Adela and Vendula Merkova. Vendula finished the all around in 4th place and earned the bronze medal on uneven bars. Her sister, Adela, earned an individual medal on floor where she finished in 3rd place. The Czech team shows a lot of potential for the coming quadrennium. On floor, they seem to be a bit like the Netherlands with lower difficulty but eye catching, sometimes tear jerking, choreography. They also turn senior in 2017.<br />
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Honorable mention for the meet goes to France's Alisson Lapp who has a lovely floor exercise. Between the French performance here and at Massilia, it is a reminder that French creativity and flair is alive and well. Lapp will be a senior in 2018. She earned the bronze medal on floor for this exercise with a 12.850/5.1D. <br />
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Additional video can be found at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtyFt1eIxdtFpzURSEfFlw">Belgian Gymnastics</a><br />
Follow @belgiangym for news on Team BelgiumArabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-56056683030555451732016-11-08T22:35:00.003-05:002016-11-08T22:35:59.585-05:00LSU Ready to Attack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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LSU finished the 2016 season with a historic second place finish. They have slowly but surely been creeping up in the ranking and for the past year or two, have had a "this will be the year" vibe. Unfortunately, it hasn't been <i>the</i> year. Not yet. But, the Tigers are proving they'll be in the running. The key for the team this year is depth. The athletes have said that they have more athletes than in the past ready to go on each event. This is pre-season anything can change, but as of right now, these girls are looking fiece.<br />
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<b>Vault</b><br />
Returning athletes: Julianna Cannamela, Sydney Ewing, Sarah Finnegan, Ashleigh Gnat, Myia Hambrick<br />
Watch for: Freshman Ruby Harrold is going to be an asset on every event and threaten for an all around spot as a freshman. In training videos, she shows a very solid 1.5TY vault valued at a 10.0. Kennedi Edney is also shown in the videos doing a 1.5TY. Sophomore Lexie Preissman spent the bulk of last season injured but this may be the year for her to make the lineup with either her FTY or DTY. <a href="http://www.flogymnastics.com/video/1003207-mckenna-kelley-nails-new-vault-985-lsu-fall-intrasquad-2016">McKenna Kelley</a> also debuted a front handspring front pike half off vault. It's a new vault for her but I expect her to make the lineup (she may exhibition at first then make the lineup).<br />
Cannamela's spot is likely the one most in danger. Ewing has a 10.0 vault. Finnegan's spot is precarious as well but she would need the spot for the all around. The other 2, Gnat and Hambrick, are most definitely safe. Hambrick has shown an upgraded 1.5TY and Gnat continues to show her strong DTY.<br />
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<b>Uneven bars</b><br />
Returning athletes: Sarah Finnegan, Ashleigh Gnat, Myia Hambrick, Lexie Priessman, Shae Zamardi<br />
Watch for: <a href="https://www.flogymnastics.com/video/1003763-ruby-harrold-rocks-unique-bar-set-99-lsu-fall-intrasquad-2016">Ruby Harrold</a> will slay us all with her phenomenal routine complete with her unique van Leeuwen to Zuchold. Kennedi Edney shows a lovely Hindorff. There are also clips of Erin Macadaeg on uneven bars.<br />
The 5 returning athletes are pretty stable barring injury. Gnat is potentially the weakest link in the lineup but needs this for the all around. Harrold will most likely sneak right into this band of 5. Edney would most likely be next in line should any of the girls get injured or need to rest.<br />
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<b>Balance Beam</b><br />
Returning athletes:<br />
Julianna Cannamela, Sydney Ewing, <a href="https://www.flogymnastics.com/video/1004032-sarah-finnegan-floor-lsu-fall-intrasquad-2016">Sarah Finnegan</a>, Ashleigh Gnat, Myia Hambrick, Erin Macadaeg<br />
Watch for: Beam has been LSU's nemesis for the last 2 years causing them a spot in the Super Six and causing them an SEC Championship. So this may be one of the places with lineup changes. They're returning their entire lineup. Again Harrold may be able to make the lineup. There are also clips of Priessman and Lauren Li training on beam. Li reportedly had a 9.9 at the intrasquad with a very impressive routine with split layout stepout and gainer layout full dismount. McKenna Kelley did beam at the most recent intrasquad as well.<br />
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<b>Floor Exercise</b><br />
Returning athletes: Sydney Ewing, Ashleigh Gnat, Myia Hambrick, McKenna Kelley<br />
Watch for: Yes, yes, Ruby Harrold. She has an interesting potential for passes with a double arabian and front double full. Edney showed a lovely floor routine at the most recent intrasquad with a high and well landed double arabian. There are clips of Priessman and Finnegan doing double layouts. In earlier videos, Lauren Li was training a piked full in. The landing was a little low but it was also earlier in preseason. Zamardi has done floor a few times last year and is shown again working her double arabian. Given the strength of tumbling of her teammates, she'll have to work hard to make the lineup. Sophomore Katelyn Szafranski exhibitioned last year on vault and there are videos of her on floor in the intrasquad with a score of 9.9.<br />
In the most recent intrasquad, it actually looks like <a href="http://www.flogymnastics.com/video/1004048-mckenna-kelley-floor-98-lsu-fall-intrasquad-2016">Kelley</a> is working on a full in dismount which would be all amounts of insane.<br />
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<b>All Around</b><br />
Returning: Myia Hambrick, Ashleigh Gnat<br />
These 2 will most definitely continue with the all around. Gnat <i>may</i> be taken out if for some reason her UB scores are really, truly, significantly hurting the team.<br />
Watch for: Finnegan is probably next in line for me. She did the all around last year but given her past injuries and unsteady balance beam, where she's a crucial member, she went back down to 3 events. She's shown on floor a lot so I think they're grooming her for the all around either for next year or if Gnat for some reason is no longer doing all around. Macadaeg mentioned that she's training all 4 events but despite her excellent floor exercise score last year, she didn't make it into the lineup again. A full twisting Yurchenko will also be tough to break in this current 10.0 vault lineup. Harrold may exhibition on floor and beam and may be able to work into those lineups for injuries or for resting other athletes. She'll definitely need to be groomed for the all around for next year when they lose contributing routines from Ewing, Gnat, and Zamardi.<br />
<br />
LSU will have their Gymnastics 101 Showcase on December 12 and their first meet will be January 6 against Georgia.</div>
Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-54347717510485061842016-10-24T20:56:00.001-04:002016-10-24T20:56:36.089-04:00Get to Know WOGA's Sloane Blakely<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_faS7fabCBti2kFfxv9Tonp2IGsKVQ5r2NxvqTWrrZGfYf7NeKtzWBaEiC-F4Q2EbpRQRSArFgs7Shdzb2IdILNwBAEMUXTJS7ExMY3LveDVVuKo_FfdPIv2Bvu5M6tRg51vzuZseKGQ_/s1600/13528725_10153142496692168_6236446409131713783_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_faS7fabCBti2kFfxv9Tonp2IGsKVQ5r2NxvqTWrrZGfYf7NeKtzWBaEiC-F4Q2EbpRQRSArFgs7Shdzb2IdILNwBAEMUXTJS7ExMY3LveDVVuKo_FfdPIv2Bvu5M6tRg51vzuZseKGQ_/s1600/13528725_10153142496692168_6236446409131713783_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
At the 2016 Secret Classic, there were quite a few juniors that caught my eye. One of them was new elite Sloane Blakely. She trains at WOGA under coaches Tatyana Shadenko and Ryan Roberts. She caught my eye on floor where she held her own with a particularly strong piece of music with powerful tumbling to match. She vaulted, and stuck, a lovely full twisting Yurchenko. Many on the gymternet first noticed her beam when she placed first at the 2016 Level 10 Junior Olympic Nationals. As a newcomer to the elite scene, there weren't very many interviews with the young talent. I had the chance to speak with Sloane and her mother about gymnastics, WOGA, and her hopes for the future.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>How did you get started in gymnastics?</b><br />
I started with dance and my mom was looking for activities to do other than our daily schedule so she signed us up for gymnastics and ever since then I enjoyed it and it's been my passion. I was 5 years old [when I started]. I did [try and do gym and dance together] but then after a little bit, my gym schedule started taking over and I just stopped doing dance and continued in gymnastics. [Dance] helped me with my coordination and helped me with the dance parts of my routine on floor, of course, and beam as well. I did ballet, tap, and jazz. I liked jazz the best.<br />
<br />
<b>What's your favorite event?</b><br />
My favorite event is vault. I like vault because I get to fly, it's a really fast event but it takes a lot of power and I love to use power to fly high and try to stick the landing.<br />
<br />
<b>When did you first realize you were good in gymnastics?</b><br />
In compulsories whenever I was just starting, I was starting to get first place a lot in a lot of the meets and I, then I thought, "Wow. I'm getting better at this" and I just started to propel from there.<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mIbaLa36pzc" width="560"></iframe></center>
<center>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sloane scored a 13.450 for this routine on Day 1 of the 2016 P&G Gymnastics Championships. She finished 11th on balance beam at this meet.</span></i></center>
<br />
<br />
<b>What is your weekly schedule like with training?</b><br />
Monday through Thursday we have morning practice from 7:30 to 12. Then we have school from 12 to around 4. We start gym at 4:30 and we end at 7. On Fridays, we start at 7:30 and go until 11:30 and then after first practice, we go to school (we don't have second practice). On Saturdays, we practice 8 to 12.<br />
<br />
<b>What was the hardest skill for you to learn?</b><br />
The hardest skill for me to learn was probably my Tkatchev. Well, I was working on it a lot. I wanted to do it by myself but whenever I wanted to go, I kept doing it with my coach. Then finally I felt it. I felt how to do it. I was like "Oh now I get it!" And then I went for it and I felt so good.<br />
<br />
<b>Have you had any obstacles to overcome in gymnastics (injury, mental block, losing skills, issues during meets, fear, etc.)? And how did you get through it?</b><br />
This was when I was transitioning from compulsories to optionals. I had a mental block on back tumbling and it really made me upset. The way I got through it was I worked with my coaches a lot and they gave me certain drills to do. I continued to stay focused on my goals and I trusted in the Lord and knew that He would bring me through this.<br />
<br />
<b>How do you feel like the last year went, looking back on Classics and P&Gs?</b><br />
I think it went well for my first time to be at Classics and P&Gs. I didn't know what to expect and my coaches were preparing me. They were happy with the way I did and they were very encouraging for me. At Classics, I hit 4-for-4 and at P&Gs I hit 8-for-8 so I was very pleased and happy with myself.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfIXHYmVJ_kUehI3bIRywNQ7eWJRQALXxx67yuhScNTHBzJ35nqWF-tlcre-xFhQDkM3PIPfH9WZxC76yXuIV367k3V4ZCOqBJXwEQ4YChaVebvb55yR_Gz_S5UTVGdPxws919j-K7ffR/s1600/Sloane+with+Martha+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfIXHYmVJ_kUehI3bIRywNQ7eWJRQALXxx67yuhScNTHBzJ35nqWF-tlcre-xFhQDkM3PIPfH9WZxC76yXuIV367k3V4ZCOqBJXwEQ4YChaVebvb55yR_Gz_S5UTVGdPxws919j-K7ffR/s320/Sloane+with+Martha+2016.jpg" width="310" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sloane Blakely at the ranch during the summer of 2016, where she first qualified elite.</span></i></div>
<br />
<b>What are your goals for this season and for the future?</b><br />
This season, I want to make it to P&Gs again. I want to have cleaner and higher difficulty routines and I also want to make national team. For the future, I want to represent USA at Worlds or maybe even the Olympics.<br />
<br />
<b>How was your first National Team Camp? </b><br />
It went well. It was a good experience. I got to see how they train there, how the daily schedule went, and I met new people. The coaches gave me corrections and I learned new approaches and new techniques on ways to perfect my skills. The biggest thing I learned was to listen to the corrections and just to fix it as best as you can. If you don't fix it right away, do drills and keep trying your best to make the correction.<br />
<br />
<b>Were you a little nervous at first or mostly excited?</b><br />
I was a little bit nervous. I didn't know how it would go. I didn't know what to expect but once I got the feeling of how it was there, I was excited and happy that I was there.<br />
<br />
<b>What upgrades are you working on?</b><br />
On bars, I'm working piked Tkatchev, Gienger, double layout full.
On vault, I'm working on a 2.5 twist.
On beam, I was working some dismounts like double arabian and full in off the beam.
On floor, I'm working double double, double arabian piked, and double layout.<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nVV_Rqt7pt4" width="560"></iframe></center>
<center>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Some really exciting upgrades! Check out that endo!</span></i></center>
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<br />
<b>Any pre-meet rituals or superstitions?</b><br />
The ritual that I normally do is, with my family, we always come in a circle and we pray, asking for protection over the meet and asking the Lord to help me do my best. I also have time to myself to just think and concentrate on my routines and meditate on the way I would like the meet to go.<br />
<br />
<b>Who are some of your role models and why?</b><br />
One of them is Simone Biles because she is always high spirited even if something doesn't go the way she would like it to, she's still bubbly and happy. She has a lot of talent and skills, she has a lot of height, something that I would like to have. She was very encouraging because one time, I was kind of nervous and she came up to me and said, "You can do it! You'll be fine. You got this!" and she was just very encouraging towards me and kind.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU46vkjLQvbmKObPCFFCUsm1OquBwkJnKmNjMSmWwt9t-3eapjAmXNY6QsOL6Aeh5A6kJJNn-eAr1VMDpFrK83xa6R-nJGO2DDxvHt5CKApbupXQc0s08xMnfjB9OwRnSmryx_i6kWWYKI/s1600/Sloane+%2526+Simone+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU46vkjLQvbmKObPCFFCUsm1OquBwkJnKmNjMSmWwt9t-3eapjAmXNY6QsOL6Aeh5A6kJJNn-eAr1VMDpFrK83xa6R-nJGO2DDxvHt5CKApbupXQc0s08xMnfjB9OwRnSmryx_i6kWWYKI/s320/Sloane+%2526+Simone+2016.jpg" width="227" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sloane Blakely with 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles</span></i></div>
<br />
<b>What's your most embarrassing memory in gymnastics?</b><br />
One time at a meet, I was either level 5 or 6, I was getting ready for floor. I was supposed to go second but as the first girl was going, I got a bloody nose! I had to go last even though I was supposed to go second. I did well on my floor routine even though I had a bloody nose but then they forgot to call me up on one of the awards so I had to receive my medal later. They were like "Sloane Blakely please come up. We forgot to say your name."<br />
<br />
<b>Have you ever trained at the WOGA Plano location? What are the differences?</b><br />
The gym there is a little bigger. They have more sets of bars and beams. They have an extra area where you can warm up. Something different, you know that some of WOGA's best gymnasts actually trained there. Being where they trained is kind of cool and it's motivating.<br />
<br />
<i>Mrs. Blakely:</i> When we (WOGA) host a meet, we host it at our Frisco location and when the girls or the boys can't train, they always go to the Plano location. It's really good because it takes them out of their norm. Whenever you get out of your comfort zone or your home, it just helps to, I think, heighten your preparedness, and awareness around your skills. It's kind of like a mini meet. It's not a real meet or anything but when they go there they are taken out of their comfort zone a little bit even though they know people there, they're teammates, it just helps them because the equipment is a little different. It's not what they train on every day. I think it's really healthy. It happens maybe once or twice, every 3 months you're probably going over there.<br />
<br />
All in all, we are WOGA. The fact that we have 2 locations doesn't really make a difference, we are one team. I think that WOGA Frisco is going to be put on the map when you look at the caliber of gymnasts that are coming up. At the end of the day, it's not that Frisco has to be called out because WOGA is WOGA. We're one gym. We're one family.<br />
<br />
<b>Do you train with your sister? What's it like training together?</b><br />
Most of the time, we're in the same group. Whenever we train together, it goes very well. We encourage each other and it's like a different bond than just your teammate. We're not only teammates, we're sisters. So we know what's going on. We know what facial expression means, what and how to help each other out.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i8DVi2nPvpy8m1vcqGBsMRfXzKijlrCgRhoEPPoQQbFkrKDMaaUmoWhCZSAxQJvdwX1sbLmRnKQRYnaD_OTaXaTPOQ-j5wpVCywl2vk4jHnvsAAbcJP3otGPAqyY1mQTs_8pLMBAfE1c/s1600/Sloane+%2526+Skye+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i8DVi2nPvpy8m1vcqGBsMRfXzKijlrCgRhoEPPoQQbFkrKDMaaUmoWhCZSAxQJvdwX1sbLmRnKQRYnaD_OTaXaTPOQ-j5wpVCywl2vk4jHnvsAAbcJP3otGPAqyY1mQTs_8pLMBAfE1c/s320/Sloane+%2526+Skye+2016.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sloane with her sister, Skye</span></i></div>
<br />
<i>Mrs. Blakely:</i> This year was interesting because before Sloane made elite and before Skye had made Hopes elite, they were both Level 10. So technically they were in the same groups at the same competitions and we had not had that before. They were on the podium together on beam at one of the meets. So that was pretty interesting to have them get the exact same score on beam! I'm kind of glad that Sloane is moving it forward and we don't have to have them both in the same session, same competition. The way that we approached them being in the same age group, we told them they are Team Blakely and no matter what the result is, we're family.<br />
<br />
Sloane: I do give her advice sometimes if I see her doing something, "Oh maybe you should try it this way" or "Try doing this drill before you go." Sometimes we're upset with each other, as sisters can be, but we work through that and we know that we help each other and we make each other better.<br />
<br />
<i>Mrs. Blakely:</i> Skye had gone to the developmental camps last year and Sloane couldn't go because she had an injury. So Skye had experienced camp at the Ranch before Sloane did and Skye was able to give her some "Hey. Here's what you're going to expect when you get there" experience.<br />
<br />
<b>When you get home, do you have to try to stop talking about gym?</b><br />
We have our stories of the day. We talk about how the day went, of course. Sometimes we do bring gym into it but we talk about other stuff. We don't have to say let's stop talking about gym.<br />
<br />
<i>Mrs. Blakely:</i> We actually want to know. We have a pretty standard routine when they get out of training. We pick them up and do a high and low discussion. What were your highs today and what were your lows today because we don't get a chance to be with them during their training and we want to know what's going on, what's bothering them, what went well today, what didn't go well today. Because so much of gymnastics is very mental and we have to make sure we're in tune with where their heads are and just keeping them grounded and helping to push through some of the challenges that they face or celebrating the victories.<br />
<br />
Skye is 11 and she made Hopes Elite this year. So she definitely has big aspirations as well so it's always interesting to have two daughters in this sport. We stay quite busy.<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you to Sloane and the Blakely family for this interview. Wish you the best of luck in the future and can't wait to continue to follow your career.Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-48732332505121391962016-09-17T23:17:00.003-04:002016-10-26T19:49:42.982-04:00Partial Roster 2016-2017<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEwkb7IF1XeaMMR1X440XP3PfAkZNHFwl0_Xd5lkIwbUDChwf8z6PA_kLqpeTQ4PaCeUFU6zmhpFxKWZfNcNAHDDvSmARy5q6Uu1Nkp9QeEhzkFso_VK5RxuCfcHNzxCstC2hRAiufGQv/s1600/Cr4KrshUEAElBzy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEwkb7IF1XeaMMR1X440XP3PfAkZNHFwl0_Xd5lkIwbUDChwf8z6PA_kLqpeTQ4PaCeUFU6zmhpFxKWZfNcNAHDDvSmARy5q6Uu1Nkp9QeEhzkFso_VK5RxuCfcHNzxCstC2hRAiufGQv/s320/Cr4KrshUEAElBzy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A list of freshman from the Top 20-ish schools. I was initially hoping of making full rosters so we could see who signed an NLI, who swapped throughout the years, etc. but that project may have died. I may add the current sophomores to this. Check the college commits page. That will be udpated with the Class of 2020 commits.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table id="injury">
<tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Alabama</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Wynter Childers<br />
Madison Desch<br />
Shea Mahoney
</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Abby Armbrecht<br />
Jenna Bresette<br />
<strike>Amanda Huang</strike><br />
<strike>Avery Rickett</strike></td></tr>
<tr><td>Caitlin Cole</td><td>Angelina Giancroce<br />
Ariana Guerra</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Amanda Huang transferred to Ohio State for her sophomore year<br />
Avery Rickett ? medical retirement</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Arizona</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Christina Berg<br />
Courtney Cowles<br />
Heather Swanson
</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;"><strike>Charlie Dembo</strike><br />
Haylie Hendrickson<br />
<strike>Brittany Robertson</strike><br />
Skyler Sheppard<br />
Danielle Spencer</td>
</tr>
<tr><td>Shannon Farrell<br />
<strike>Isabell Hutchins</strike><br />
Jenny Leung<br />
Maddi Leydin</td><td>Lauryn Mattson</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Christina Berg '16 was Auburn<br />
Robertson is no longer at Arizona. Dembo, Hutchins unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Arkansas</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Michaela Burton<br />
Hailey Garner<br />
Sarah Shaffer<br />
Jessica Yamzon</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Mackenzie Anderson<br />
Sydney McGlone</td></tr>
<tr><td>Kirby Rathjen</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes:</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Auburn</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Katie Becker<br />
Gracie Day<br />
Kendal Moss</td>
<td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Samantha Cerio<br />
Emma Engler<br />
Taylor Krippner<br />
Emma Slappey*</td>
</tr>
<tr><td><br /></td><td>Telah Black<br />
A'Miracal Phillips</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Christina Berg '16 switched to Arizona<br />
Slappey is a red shirt freshman</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Boise State</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Isabelle Amado<br />
Courtney McGregor<br />
McKinley Pavicic</td>
<td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Sarah Means<br />
Shani Remme</td>
</tr>
<tr><td>McKenna Morrell<br />
Maddison Nilson</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: </td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Cal</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Cassidy Keelen<br />
Rachael Mastrangelo</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Emily Howe<br />
Sofie Seilnacht<br />
Sylvie Seilnacht<br />
Chelsea Shu</td></tr>
<tr><td>Alex Dudschus<br />
Mariah Peterson</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: </td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Denver</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Maddie Karr<br />
Courtney Loper<br />
Samantha Ogden</td>
<td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Claire Kern<br />
Kaitlyn Schou</td></tr>
<tr><td><br /></td><td>Grace Broadhurst<br />
Diana Chesnok</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes:</td>
</tr>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Florida</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Maegan Chant<br />
Rachel Gowey<br />
Amelia Hundley</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Alicia Boren<br />
Amanda Cheney<br />
Lacy Dagen<br />
<strike>Peyton Ernst</strike><br />
Ashley Hiller</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sierra Alexander</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Chant graduated in 2015, signed NLI in 2016.<br />
Peyton Ernst was medically released</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Georgia</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Rachel Dickson<br />
Sabrina Vega</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Caroline Bradford<br />
Gracie Cherrey<br />
Sydney Snead</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Jordyn Pedersen</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Pedersen deferred to 2016<br />
Alexis Beucler (2016) changed commitment to NC State.</td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Illinois</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Rae Balthazor<br />
Lindsay Dwyer<br />
Karen Howell<br />
Brittany Jones</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Julia Hutcherson<br />
Lizzy LeDuc<br />
Brielle Nguyen<br />
Haylee Roe</td></tr>
<tr><td></td><td>Rachael Donovan</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes:</td>
</tr>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">LSU</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Kennedi Edney<br />
Ruby Harrold<br />
Ashlyn Kirby</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Julianna Cannamela<br />
Sarah Finnegan<br />
Mckenna Kelley<br />
Lexie Priessman<br />
Kaitlyn Szafranski</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Harrold deferred to 2016.</td>
</tr>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Michigan</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Lexi Funk<br />
Maggie O'Hara<br />
Madison Osman<br />
Polina Shchennikova</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Olivia Karas<br />
Emma McLean</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sam Roy</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
<tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Minnesota</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Casey Betts<br />
Ivy Lu<br />
Kristen Quaglia<br />
Ryan Stach<br />
Rebecca Taylor</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Rachel Cutler<br />
Selena Ung</td></tr>
<tr><td>Julia Huebert<br />
Nicole Rogalski</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: </td>
</tr>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Nebraska</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Alexa Clark<br />
Sierra Hassel<br />
Taylor Houchin</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Kami Amemiya-Shows*<br />
Sienna Crouse<br />
Catelyn Orel<br />
Megan Schweihofer</td></tr>
<tr><td>Kelli Chung*<br />
Megan Kuo*</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Shows, Chung and Kuo are red shirt freshman</td>
</tr>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Oklahoma</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Jade Degouveia<br />
Maggie Nichols<br />
Brehanna Showers</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Alex Marks<br />
Nicole Lehrmann<br />
Megan Thompson</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes:</td>
</tr>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Oregon State</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Isis Lowery<br />
Brianna McCant</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Mariana Colussi-Pelaez<br />
McKenna Singley</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Sabrina Gill</td></tr>
<tr><td>Halli Briscoe<br />
Kaitlin Campbell<br />
Destinee Davis<br />
Lena Greene<br />
Jaime Law<br />
Maela Lazaro<br />
Alyssa Minyard</td><td>Mary Jacobsen<br />
Elizabeth Yu</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Gill deferred to 2016</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
<tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Penn State</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Tess McCracken<br />
Kristen Politz<br />
Mikayla Waddell</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Sabrina Garcia<br />
Mason Hosek<br />
Jessica Jones</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Amber Autry<br />
Madi Heckman<br />
Gianna LaGuardia<br />
Peyton Schuller</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
<tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Stanford</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Kaylee Cole<br />
Aleeza Yu</td><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Taryn Fitzgerald<br />
Hailee Hoffman<br />
Dare Maxwell</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ashley Tai</td><td>Nicole Hoffman</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: </td>
</tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">UCLA</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Anna Glenn<br />
Grace Glenn<br />
Felicia Hano</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Katelyn Ohashi<br />
Madison Preston<br />
Macy Toronjo*</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Madison Kocian<br />
Kyla Ross</td></tr>
<tr><td>Maria Caire<br />
Gracie Kramer<br />
Giulianna Pino<br />
Mercedez Sanchez</td><td rowspan="2"><strike>Matteah Brow</strike><br />
Stella Savvidou (Jan)<br />
<strike>Nicki Shapiro
</strike></td></tr>
<tr><td>Nica Hults*</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Kocian and Ross signed with the class of 2015 but deferring to 2016<br />
Biles '15 is a professional athlete<br />
*Nica Hults to start in Jan of 2017 (or the mystery continues)<br />
Toronjo is a red shirt freshman<br />
Shapiro and Brow are not on the 2016-2017 roster</td>
</tr>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="4">Utah</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Class of 2016</b></td><td><b>Class of 2015</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #ece0f6;">Melissa Reinstadtler<br />
Kim Tessen</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Shannon McNatt<br />
MaKenna Merrell<br />
Erika Muhaw<br />
Sabrina Schwab</td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: #dce0f6;">Mykayla Skinner</td></tr>
<tr><td></td><td>Macey Roberts</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Notes: Skinner is deferring to 2016<br />
Hannah Miller '16 was initially verbally committed to Utah but signed NLI for BYU<br />
Roberts is a transfer from Maryland for the 2017 season</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-7063646231999341642016-08-21T12:26:00.001-04:002016-08-26T21:07:29.848-04:00Remembering the Road to Rio<div style="text-align: center;">
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For as long as we can remember, the slogan/hashtag for Rio was Road to Rio. Great Britain's hashtag was #everyroadtorio and for the longest time, I couldn't understand it. It wasn't until I saw each gymnast compete at this Games and had time to reflect that I realized what it meant. Every gymnast, or athlete for that matter, has had a different path that brought them to the Rio Olympic Games. For some, their arrival at the Olympic Games seemed inevitable. For others, it was a fight to the last minute to earn their federation's spot. Some were returning Olympians, some were first time Olympians. They all ended up in the same place but each journey was different. I just wanted to take a moment to remember some of these athletes and their magnificent journey to Rio.<br />
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I'm not quite sure when I first noticed <b>Giulia Steingruber</b> but I did and I'm glad. She became a senior in 2011 and made event finals on vault at both the European and World Championships. At the time, she was vaulting a Rudi (front handspring 1.5) and a Tsukahara full. She finished 5th in vault event finals. Steingruber was selected as Switzerland's sole representative in London 2012 and knew she needed to hit big vaults to make the vault event finals and have a shot at a medal. She upgraded her second vault to a Tsukahara double twist which she unfortunately fell on and finished 9th, just outside of the top eight spots that make an event final.<br />
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But, yes, you read that right. A Tsukahara double twist. That vault was quickly abandoned and for 2013 worlds, Steingruber was back with a new vault. A double twisting Yurchenko. This vault is the favored vault of most gymnasts and if able, gymnasts can upgrade to the ever elusive Amanar or two and a half twisting Yurchenko. However, shortly after learning that, Steingruber suffered from a case of the "twisties." For unknown reason, gymnasts (and other athletes like cheerleaders or divers) develop this fear of twisting and loss of air awareness. Hoping for a few international vault medals, Steingruber was suddenly held back by this mental block. She would vault again but downgrade to a full twisting Yurchenko and suffered a few injuries at competitions sustained on vault.<br />
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With divine healing power and fighting spirit, Steingruber was back and dominant. She was training a new vault - a handspring double twist which is not currently in the Code of Points. Steingruber was also rapidly upgrading floor exercise to a difficult routine that would hopefully challenge for a medal.<br />
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Steingruber came to Rio with a solid chance for a high all around finish, and a possible vault and floor exercise medal. She decided not to show the new vault and made the vault final anyway. Even better, she showed two clean vaults, a Rudi and a solid DTY that has challenged her time and time again to earn the bronze medal. This was the first ever women's artistic gymnastics Olympic medal for Switzerland. It was a long road from upgrading vaults to switching vault families, having to deal with injuries and mental blocks, but Steingruber did it and has the medal to show for it.<br />
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<b>Ellie Black</b> is one of the returning Olympians from London 2012. She turned senior in 2011 and has just continued to improve since then. in 2012, she was given one of the largely contested spots for Team Canada. Her vault and beam routines are what helped her most compliment her teammates and earn that spot. In London, Black qualified to the vault final and helped Team Canada to their highest finish ever - 5th place. She later got injured after doing her first vault in the event final. Since then, Black has just continued to improve. She's attended Universiade Games, Pacific Rim and Pan American Championships, numerous World and Challenge Cups, and has steadily built her name to where it is now. In Rio, the team just missed out on the team final but Black was able to finish the all around final, which she did not make in 2012, in 5th place, the highest ever for a Canadian woman.<br />
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<b>Sanne Wevers</b> turned senior in 2007. Yep, 2007! She was eligible for the Beijing and London Olympics but missed out in 2008 and had injuries that essentially kept her out of the running in 2012. Sanne Wevers was always known as a great beamer. In 2013, she had one of the top scores on beam and was a hopeful to make the beam final at worlds. Unfortunately, she fell immediately on her round off full twisting back handspring mount and had several errors afterwards and did not qualify for the event final.<br />
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From there, the troubles continued. She remained one of the best beam workers in the Netherlands and in the world but was either unable to make finals due to poor performances or then fell in finals to miss out on medals at both European Championships and World Championships. The end of 2015 is when Wevers' luck seemed to change. At the World Championships, she won the silver medal on balance beam. She continued in 2016 with an upgraded routine that she was able to hit more often than not, both domestically and internationally. At the recent Olympic Games, to the delight of many, Wevers' won the gold medal on balance beam.<br />
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What an accomplishment for Sanne Wevers! She went from missing out on 2 Olympics to helping to qualify a team to the 2016 Games and winning the Netherlands first individual women's artistic medal.<br />
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<a href="http://arabianpunchfront.tumblr.com/post/121116160792/i-dont-understand-gymnastics-olympic-values">Click for entire gif set</a></div>
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There were a few 2014 Youth Olympians that are now 2016 Olympians. Flavia Saraiva, Wang Yan, Ellie Downie, Sae Miyakawa, Seda Tutkhalyan, and Tutya Yilmaz all had a great showing at these Olympic Games.<br />
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<b>Tutya Yilmaz</b> of Turkey finished 10th in the all around at the Youth Olympic Games. She also made the vault and floor finals. If you've followed me, you know that I consider Yilmaz the gymnastics love child of Aly Raisman and Alicia Sacramone. She has that same level of attack and poise when competing and has very difficult skills, the highlight being her back handspring layout full on beam. I've wanted to send her to Brestyan's for training camp to work on her consistency but maybe she doesn't need it. After a long wait in preliminaries, Yilmaz had the beam performance of her life with all eyes on her. She nailed every single skill and dismounted with the approval of a roaring crowd. She finished with a 14.5 (6.3 D) and in 13th place on balance beam.<br />
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<b>Seda Tutkhalyan</b> was the all around winner at the Youth Olympic Games. She has since continued to show great potential but struggled with consistency. Tutkhalyan was initially not on the provisional Olympic team but with the confirmed absence of Ksenia Afanasyeva, Tutkhalyan was able to fill the hole. Despite earlier worries of consistency, Tutkhalyan managed to beat out Angelina Melnikova for the all around spot, coming in ahead of teammate Aliya Mustafina as well. She performed well again in the team final. Tragedy didn't strike until the all around final where Tutkhalyan, with a real chance at a medal, fell on her balance beam dismount and twice on floor. Despite the heartbreaking performance there, it is important to remember that Tutkhalyan was a rock for the team for both qualifying and the team finals, helping Russia to just beat out China for the bronze medal.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdVlzf4t_QGiW4jdKVEDvws6v1VoM5hyphenhyphenR23_t1ZynQz9dojeHedZHGh_jo2nLYcx3JyU5QwbzYz7npPqmFCiwQFSSceSaakCeaGeMTxWmPzTQekJjvuk_iy4DZfrQpGQmUrnYr0AxZXD4/s1600/WANGYAN.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdVlzf4t_QGiW4jdKVEDvws6v1VoM5hyphenhyphenR23_t1ZynQz9dojeHedZHGh_jo2nLYcx3JyU5QwbzYz7npPqmFCiwQFSSceSaakCeaGeMTxWmPzTQekJjvuk_iy4DZfrQpGQmUrnYr0AxZXD4/s320/WANGYAN.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Wang Yan</b> did well in 2015 but then had a very rough start to her 2016 competitive season. She was always on China's team for her strong floor and vaults though it seemed like event finals were out of the question. After some rest and refocusing, a strong and sturdy Wang Yan returned and proved to be one of the rocks for Team China. She made both the vault and floor finals where she finished 5th and helped China earn a bronze medal in the team final.<br />
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<b>Ellie Downie </b>has been a trailblazer for Team Great Britain. In 2015, she earned Team GB their first individual AA medal at the European Championships. At the 2015 World Championships, she helped the team to an historic bronze medal. At the Olympics, Downie was a favorite for the all around final and possible a few event finals. Unfortunately, Downie had a scary fall on floor exercise which took her out of the floor final. She then returned to the arena to finish on vault. Downie had done enough to make the all around final but just didn't have the best day. She did show an upgraded routine with a Patterson dismount on beam but fell. As the sole qualifier to the all around final for Team GB and after such a scary fall, Downie did an excellent job fighting for herself but also for her team. She finished in 13th place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjQAQ-rTgaPUZidbrATAFB2ABIbOguYr9t5QV-Lg8HTd5q7f0FD8o6xOVZaixaVhyoM2VfLtDGK5JaQPS5wYGhyphenhyphenqLQeLzoIOG1G9IwyzrKMGlnAKF5fxoYrYLdzn_ckxcOIfpLF3Mtbd8/s1600/flavia.jpg" imageanchor="1"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a>
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<b>Flavia Saraiva</b> helped Brazil to an 8th place team finish and earned a spot in both the all around and beam event finals. She withdrew from the all around to focus on beam where she finished 5th. In the team final, Saraiva contributed on both beam and floor helping her to become one of the darlings of this home Olympic Games.<br />
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<b>Sae Miyakawa </b>was a vault medalist at the 2014 YOG. She made the Japanese worlds team and helped the team to a fifth place finish. She also competed in the floor final where she tied for 4th. Miyakawa is known for her very difficult floor routine with tumbling difficulty that can rival that of Simone Biles. Due to an error, Miyakawa did not make the floor final. However, she did help Japan to a 4th place finish. Their highest finish in nearly 50 years.<br />
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Every athlete has had a different road to Rio, all worthy of celebration. <b>Whose career have you reflected on after watching the Olympic Games?</b>Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-5024372397907102282016-08-07T12:38:00.002-04:002016-08-07T12:38:19.475-04:00Adjusting from Elite to UCLA<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaiZ8pi-Q7P_sCaubzoqO-1KMoDT-bgH4SfIBA1D4dYeKrsCRMGFOAxW6yzaEHWUVL3Sz6_W1qCBuHCUwdSFCtE_j6tyK6zxZBSbR6Ca3Ol_ijNCdSDjQoWG3Y3hBEVLS-TYt6JV9YO14/s1600/tumblr_oahpsl5fbB1un4rt7o1_500.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaiZ8pi-Q7P_sCaubzoqO-1KMoDT-bgH4SfIBA1D4dYeKrsCRMGFOAxW6yzaEHWUVL3Sz6_W1qCBuHCUwdSFCtE_j6tyK6zxZBSbR6Ca3Ol_ijNCdSDjQoWG3Y3hBEVLS-TYt6JV9YO14/s320/tumblr_oahpsl5fbB1un4rt7o1_500.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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We sat down to catch up with Felicia Hano (Fish) as she heads to UCLA in pursuit of furthering her education and partaking in college gymnastics. This is a follow up to our interview with Hano earlier this year, in February. You can read that interview <a href="http://www.arabianpunchfront.com/2016/02/adjusting-to-gymnastics-again-just-keep.html">here</a>.<br />
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At the time of this interview, Fish had just returned from orientation where she signed up for her Pre-Business Economics Major classes for Fall quarter. Her schedule looks something like four hours of conditioning and training Monday through Friday followed by her classes. “In summer, the team is taking pretty much the same classes. We’re taking German Philosophy and then we’re taking a World Arts & Cultures class. It’s to get GEs (general education requirements) out of the way.”<br />
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Fish is currently training at West Coast Elite where she had initially trained before training for elite with Gym-Max. She visits Gym-Max once a week, due to the long commute and has an established mutual understanding of the schedule with Coach Jenny.<br />
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Hano’s elite career came to an abrupt end when she was injured on vault during podium training at the 2015 Secret US Classic. She later had surgery for multiple torn ankle ligaments. She spent the remainder of the pre-collegiate season rehabilitating the injury and getting skills ready for her college career. “In college, the main focus is staying healthy. Miss Val (Valerie Kondos Field), Chris (Waller), and Randy (Lane) don’t want me to do anything that I could possibly hurt myself doing. Especially for freshman year after coming off from an injury. I’ll do the skills I’m comfortable with and (can) compete and perform really well.”<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(You can also find video of her bar routine on the Gym-Max youtube)</span></center>
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Recovering from the injury was a difficult process as the tumbling star recalls missing just that, tumbling. “I was most happy to get back doing double layouts because that is my skill. Everytime I do them, I love them. That’ll be in my floor routine for sure!” As a freshman, Fish will “test the waters” with her collegiate routine but hopes to “throw some harder skills” during sophomore year when she “feel[s] more comfortable.” <br />
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This year, with the help of Miss Val, she hopes to stray from “Choosing Dauntless” to a more serious and character driven routine to add a little flare and sass to her floor performance. “I know what type of music I want. I have songs that I like but it’s the process of putting them together and making sure it all flows together. It’s definitely different than elite because elite I was so straight faced, so focused. In college, and Miss Val knows too, in college, I want to do something a little sassier. So hopefully some smiles in this season coming up.”<br />
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When asked about her thoughts on the US Olympic team she beamed with pride, “I’m excited to watch the Olympics especially Team USA because I know those girls on a personal level and it makes me even happier to see their dreams come true.” In regards to whom she was closest with on the Olympic team, she responded with Simone Biles since Simone had been verbally committed to UCLA in the past and would interact with the future class on a regular basis. Fish was especially supportive of Laurie “because she has overcome and gone through a lot with injuries.” She also acknowledged the depth of Team USA by suggesting that they could send three different teams and still to do well. <br />
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The UCLA gymnastics team will most likely hold viewing sessions for the Olympics. It would be of great importance to her and Kyla Ross since “Kyla and I have gone to camps and we know those girls and are really happy for them and want to see them do well.” <br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BH3XaeSAe27/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">how ucla gym 2020 takes on orientation🤗</a></div>
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A photo posted by fishhh💋 (@felicia_hano) on <time datetime="2016-07-15T02:18:49+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 14, 2016 at 7:18pm PDT</time></div>
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Fish is excited to join her close friend and former West Coast elite teammate Hallie Mossett, and Gym Max teammate Kyla Ross at UCLA. “I talk to Hallie on a daily basis. We used to train together at West Coast Elite back in the day. I’m really close with her and she told me, ‘If you ever need anything just ask me. If you need advice, just come to me.’” She finds that “familiarity will be around them” and the Glenn twins (Anna and Grace) will make the college experience a memorable one. Her Gym Max coaches, Jenny and Howie will try to attend every home meet to support Hano, Ross, and Team UCLA.<br />
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It’s been an inspiration watching you recover from injury and take on other challenges. We wish you luck in your collegiate endeavors as you embark on this journey!<br />
<br />
Special thanks to <a href="http://kylarossappreciation.tumblr.com/">KRAppreciation</a>.Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-48347423742889326232016-08-04T19:52:00.002-04:002016-08-04T19:52:16.269-04:00Rio 2016 - Notes from Podium Training<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbT59CqNo-ZR8IrGB4aQ3Sfh3n7i6G_gMwX_qOGWHS4adFbooFmkIDGYaB34VuQK4kXcyHJc1o80qw3-3SMogvXfb7mpVuLb_v6m4wQadd4mJvdBdWyniu7qlailIq8OqZoi60ProBTFt/s1600/13912438_10153216978832168_1733133296174132994_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbT59CqNo-ZR8IrGB4aQ3Sfh3n7i6G_gMwX_qOGWHS4adFbooFmkIDGYaB34VuQK4kXcyHJc1o80qw3-3SMogvXfb7mpVuLb_v6m4wQadd4mJvdBdWyniu7qlailIq8OqZoi60ProBTFt/s400/13912438_10153216978832168_1733133296174132994_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Olympics are finally here! While tomorrow is the Opening Ceremony, competition has already started for soccer. In gymnastics, the men had their podium training yesterday while the women had their session today. Thankfully, we had access to the US during training and here are a few notes from the women's session today.<br />
<br />
Note: The gymnasts warmed up and then saluted the judges. The saluted routine is the one I'm calling the "competition" routine.<br />
<br />
<b>Floor</b><br />
Laurie Hernandez, Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman<br />
None of the athletes really went "all out" in terms of performance but the skills were all there.<br />
- Hernandez: Overall hit routine. It's weird to see her not in full Baby Shakira/Human Emoji mode. The dance moves were there. Her tumbling was good, just the front double full was a little questionable.<br />
- Douglas had trouble on all of her dance elements I would say. She fell out of her opening double Y and was in a huge lunge going into the L turn which brought her dangerously close to going out of bounds. Her tumbling, however, was great. Her full in to back tuck was also solidly connected. It wasn't rebounded per say but connected just as well as Ferrari's had been.<br />
- Biles and Raisman were both incredibly solid and hit<br />
- Kocian on floor is so impressive to me. She doesn't need to do it at this point but I suppose that's part of why she made the team. I really like this routine.<br />
<br />
There's lots of discussion about the lineup here but there are a few things to consider. First off, it's podium training, everyone competed and the lineups are subject to change. Sure. Secondly, Simone has to warm-up 2 vaults so her going 3rd on floor, gives her a little more time to rest her legs before going again on vault. And, yes, she's last in the vault lineup but warms up first.<br />
<br />
<b>Vault</b><br />
Laurie Hernandez, Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, Simone Biles<br />
- Hernandez was short on her warm up DTYs but did well on her competition one. She seemed to twist a little late. Maggie assured Martha that she shows up on competition day.<br />
- Douglas was also short on her warm up vaults but had a very solid stick/near stick in her competition routine.<br />
- Biles has to warm up quickly since she has to do a second vault. Others were still doing timers or FTY when she went for her first Amanar. And stuck it right down the middle. Her competition one was landed offsides and then she hopped out of bounds. She warmed up a Lopez then did a great Cheng. The vault final will really be interesting with Hong working the TTY.<br />
- Raisman! She stuck the crap out of her warmup Amanar. This one was her competition one with just the slightest shuffle. But right down the middle. She tried not to smile after the warmup one but then she saw Simone and they gave each other the largest smiles. It was a sweet moment.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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Practice makes perfect.<br />
<br />
See <a href="https://twitter.com/Aly_Raisman">@Aly_Raisman</a> nail her landing at today’s podium training. <br />
<br />
→ <a href="https://t.co/tLFht4oaW9">https://t.co/tLFht4oaW9</a> <a href="https://t.co/uQWW01Zoi8">https://t.co/uQWW01Zoi8</a></div>
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics/status/761334795016163328">August 4, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
<b>Uneven Bars</b><br />
Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Madison Kocian, Laurie Hernandez<br />
- Raisman usual routine. First off, the girls warmed up full routines on bars and beam. Her first one was head on and loked fine. Her competition one was from the side and looked ... like Aly<br />
- Biles had a few minor things in her routine - leg separation on her Maloney and gets a little stuck in her full pirouette after it. Otherwise, good routine.<br />
Funny moment: Biles gets down and sees Aly without grips but wonders if they have to do another routine. They find out they only need to repeat if they have something to work on and Aly has a huge sigh of relief.<br />
- Douglas hit an excellent routine. She was working very hard to get every handstand and she did. She also did her full difficulty routine with the Chow 1/2 and everything went well, including a stuck double layout dismount.<br />
- Kocian hits a great routine. Martha praises her for going for one of the connections but asks for a little more on her Jaeger release. In her competition routine, she had a little shuffle on the landing. In her follow up routine, she gets great height on her Jaeger, enough to frighten me, though she catches a little close, and she sticks her dismount.<br />
- Laurie Hernandez went last on this event. One would think she's going last on the event because she won't compete it but Martha hasn't made a decision yet. Sure. Hernandez, though, has a rough routine with her usual leg separation on the stalder full but then she also has a leg separation on her Pak which isn't her usual. The next routine was better and she sticks her dismount. I think she was a little rattled because she was last up for warmups when the "30 second warning" went off.<br />
<br />
<b>Balance Beam</b><br />
Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez, Simone Biles<br />
Confession: I was maybe 75% focused on beam. Things went well, overall.<br />
- Douglas did ok with some hesitant connections. She hit her full once and the second time had a slight leg up wobble.<br />
- Raisman hit. A little crooked on Patterson but otherwise ok.<br />
- Hernandez was doing well until the second half of her routine when she had one bend at hips wobble and another small wobble. Good double pike dismounts though.<br />
- Biles hit. She went for a second routine and didn't do her second layout step out. Her Barani is her Barani. Otherwise, her full in looks great. Repeated that and it again looked great.<br />
<br />
And there you have it. Overall, team USA looking incredibly solid. The big question is who will do the all around.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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It's between Aly and Laurie <a href="https://t.co/ybHTqgAjDz">https://t.co/ybHTqgAjDz</a></div>
— Nancy Armour (@nrarmour) <a href="https://twitter.com/nrarmour/status/761334676036395008">August 4, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
<br />
Aly and Laurie? What about Gabby? Based on today's competition, Douglas is definitely going to be one of the all around gymnasts. She looks better than she's looked for most of the year. Raisman was her usual self, the question being left to the judges on beam connections and execution. Hernandez made things tricky. She is a great uneven bar worker and could have certainly been used in team finals but during bars and after, she got a little nervy. Based on her competition today, I wouldn't put her in the AA and she's a question mark for bars in team final. But what about the whole year before this? This is all true but if you can't handle the pressure in podium training, how will you do when the lights are truly on? Personally, I think Laurie will be fine but I don't think she'll be in the all around.<br />
<br />
There's also the fact that Douglas and Raisman are USA's defending all around gymnasts. The same way that Aly competed bars over Maggie Nichols at Worlds 2015 to put Raisman in the all around, the same will likely happen here. It's tricky since Laurie went pro so technically she is marketable but she doesn't have the same fan base... yet!<br />
<br />
Speaking of Laurie going pro, I thought it was weird if she wasn't doing AA as well but after seeing the beam lineup, it makes sense. She could possibly take Raisman out of beam finals. Based on the routines we saw today, it'll be tight. And, to be quite honest, I wouldn't count Douglas out on beam either if the other two have any errors.<br />
<br />
<br />
All I will say is that podium training made me incredibly excited for competition to start!<br />
Opening Ceremony Aug 5, 7:30 PM ET<br />
More of the Olympic schedule - MAG and WAG - can be found <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HlqlaH11Kx6GjQGcf-M6T6pduavEhjzHYTDzN_x-B9U/preview">here</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>What did you think of Podium training? Who do you think will be the all around gymnats?</b>Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-30268087237831204852016-08-01T11:49:00.002-04:002016-08-01T11:49:40.675-04:00Cintia Rodriguez: I Can't End Like This<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA2YWjXfZB2ttQy109vnhcEPvSioETp5xQV4m91lYNEfOGyiyvWGjTbY9LmvUINVO2mzNZ-5E90dnpZATinNE-RtvX529HHzM2J8wbDaHAAWLmteAYHF3lbfd2i007c4u6zobtM1CRUL5/s1600/cintia2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA2YWjXfZB2ttQy109vnhcEPvSioETp5xQV4m91lYNEfOGyiyvWGjTbY9LmvUINVO2mzNZ-5E90dnpZATinNE-RtvX529HHzM2J8wbDaHAAWLmteAYHF3lbfd2i007c4u6zobtM1CRUL5/s400/cintia2.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Personal photo of Cintia Rodriguez</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Cintia Rodriguez is a Spanish gymnast that first caught my eye at the 2013 World Championships. Her floor routine was magnificent and her lines and attention to detail really drew me in. She is also a steady competitor on uneven bars, where she has been working towards an original skill - a full twisting Ray shoot to high. I had the pleasure of working with Podcast Asimetricas, a Spanish gymnastics podcast, on this interview and am glad we can bring the translation to you all. You can check out the podcast <a href="http://podcastasimetricas.com/programa-010-especial-decimo-programa-entrevista-cintia-rodriguez/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- For those who don’t know her, Cintia Rodríguez is a
Spanish gymnast born in Mallorca on the 16<sup>th</sup> of November, 1994. She
trains at Club Xelska. She is a member of the Spanish National Team and she has
competed in 3 World Championships (Rotterdam 2010, Antwerp 2013, and Nanning
2014), 2 European Championships (Sofia 2014 and Bern 2016). We’ve also
seen her compete in some World Cups, and in the Italian and German Gymnastics
leagues, as well as in the Spanish National Championships and several friendly
meets.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, if you want we’ll start asking you a ton of
questions, how does that sound?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- I’m pleased to answer<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-OK, so let’s start as with everything, from the beginning.
How did you get started in gymnastics, how old were you, and why did you start?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- I started when I was 3 years old because my older sister
did gymnastics and I would always go pick her up (from the gym) with my mom. I
saw her doing gymnastics and I fell in love with the sport. Ever since I
started, I haven’t been able to stop. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Thank God! What are your best memories of doing gymnastics
as a child?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Truth be told, when you’re little you love everything.
I loved going (to the gym), I would never get tired despite spending hours
there, and also (I loved) learning things. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- And what did you enjoy the least when you were little?
You’re saying that you liked everything, but there must have been something
that you didn’t like?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- As a child it’s difficult (not to like something) since
when you’re little it’s something new and all, you always like everything, but
I guess that physical preparation… well, like right now, I hate it! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- So that’s also what you hate right now, physical
preparation?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- When did you realize, or when did your coaches realize
that you were good at it?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, actually I’ve never realized that I’m good at it,
basically because I’ve never seen myself as better than anyone nor with the
ease that others have, but I guess that when I changed gyms at age 8, Pedro
(Pedro Mir, her current coach) realized that I had something, that I was
special. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- When did you first became a member of the National Team,
and what did that achievement mean to you? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- I became a National Team member in 2008, when I competed
at my first Junior International, and to me it was… I remember it as something
super special because I had the study trip (school organized class trip at the
end of the school year) and it was either to go to the trip or to go to the
International. And without a doubt I said to myself “I’m going to the International!”
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<center>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJqNCh2zvo-ITgs8NWQ7d7md4CgP3uetPa_kUK50zDizhH5UFX6y-PlJ6ZEbtDWToZlWGwmpnb4RS21x6VA92F0MB9sRGbSX_myWHrxgpQNCKc6koDvanh_P58cWXPUNLzo1mTXMQIA99/s1600/BWfQM3rCcAA8ptK.jpg-large.jpg" /></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Cordelia Price at 2013 World Championships</span></center>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- But of course! I would have done the same thing! And, we
guess that going to the Olympics is a dream for all gymnasts, but did it become
something that you wanted at some point? Is it a goal of yours? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Since 2012, when I went to the Test Event and we (the
team) almost did it (almost qualified), since that moment yeah, to me it was
the main goal, and well, to have been able to go to Rio would have also been
the best! Because after Worlds, what you want is to go to the Olympics, but
well, it’s also ok if you don’t go…<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, there are other things I guess…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah…<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- I guess there are other things that are worth it…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Right, it’s not everything, but at the same time it is
everything… but you always have to look at the bright side and if I’m never
able to go, well, I would still have gone to 3 World Championships, which is
something…<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- But of course! Well, and now Cristina has some questions
about the Spanish system and stuff. Tell us, Cristina…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah, for people who don’t know much about it, Cintia,
could you explain for us how does the Spanish gymnastics system works? How are
the training centers organized? How often does everybody get together? How do
you start training at any of the high performance centers?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Ok, well, there are 2 high performance centers, that would
be the one in Madrid, and also the one in Sant Cugat, in Barcelona. And then in
Mallorca we have the Technification Center. And well, if they call you and you
want to go, then you go to train in Madrid, but we here in Mallorca… I’m really
well, and back then I decided that I didn’t want to go and I stayed here at
home. Each center has their own planning, which is more or less coordinated,
and once in a while Lucía (Lucía Guisado, the Spanish National Team Coordinator)
comes over to test us, or we go over there to do the tests and concentrations.
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- And I guess that’s how they decide who represents Spain at
each competition, right? With the tests? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah, yeah, depending on the scores and whatever they
wish, you are either part of the team or you’re not. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Oh, ok. Well, as far as we know, you have psychologists,
nutritionists, and other experts that help you. Is that correct? And if so, how
often do you see them?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, I don’t know about Madrid, but as for the
Technification Center, we have psychologists, physiotherapists, everything, and
I guess that you can see them whenever you want, but I’ve never gone to the
psychologist so I have no clue.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, from the outside we can tell that all the gymnasts
on the Spanish National Team get along really well. Are you close because of
something in particular? Are you often told about the importance of the team
feeling, or is it something you seek on your own? How does it work?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, each one gets along better with the gymnasts in her
center, the ones in Madrid are closer to the ones in Madrid, Barcelona with
Barcelona, and so on… it’s only natural, but then when it comes to competing if
we are a team, we are a team, and who cares if you’re from Barcelona, Madrid,
or Mallorca. If the score is for the team, it’s for the team, you don’t have to
be thinking you’re from Madrid and all… we try to think as a team so things
turn out better. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- And then also within your Club, the girls that train there
also seem to get along very well, right?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- My Club, more than a club is really a family, because we
are all really close, we do a lot of activities outside the gym, from a bbq to
going to the beach all together… we do a lot of things because it’s really the
base of our club, that more than a club we are a family and I know it sounds
cliché, but we really feel it. For instance, during the spring we have a
festival and us seniors that have attended World Championships have to train
with the 4 year olds and help them do handstands, and with their parents being
there too… because it’s the goal. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah, we can see it because of the things you all share in
social media, that’s why we were asking. And… what do you think the Spanish
gymnastics success is due to? When things go well, what do you think it’s due
to?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, I think it can be summarized in the word “work”.
When the work is well done, there’ll be results, sometimes better sometimes
worse, but if you work with excitement, constantly, and you give it your all,
it may go wrong, but most likely it will go well.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- You’re known internationally because of your elegance and
your balletic style, have you ever done dance or ballet? Or has it always been
within the training regimen?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Oh, not at all! I’ve only done gymnastics and gymnastics!
Actually dancing or doing any other thing I am super pathetic and super clumsy!
But since I don’t have big D scores, the jumps, leaps, turns and elegance come
out naturally.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- So far, what have been the best and worst moments of your
career? What are you the most proud of, and what has been the hardest thing you
have gone through?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- What I am most proud of is to have overcome breaking my
knee twice, to continue doing gymnastics after 5 surgeries. That’s what I’m most
proud of, that I never quit. The fact that I haven’t been able to do, for
instance, a Yurchenko ever again… well, it is what it is… I can’t really train
on vault anymore because my knee always hurts, but that’s what makes me happy,
that despite all that, the pain, the 5 surgeries, having rehab every day, I’m
still training. And the worst moments… well, it’s been the surgeries, and about
everything else, I’d say I’m quite happy. I can’t complain.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- What element was the hardest to learn? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- The stalder release facing inward with counter movement
and full twist in flight to high bar, that is, a Ray with full twist…<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- That’s the…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- “The Rodríguez”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- “The Rodríguez!”<o:p></o:p><br />
- 3 years! I’ve been attempting it for 3 years.</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BCEKAryR_bi/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">🔝🆕🔥</a></div>
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A video posted by Cintia Rodriguez (@cintiia_94) on <time datetime="2016-02-21T22:23:28+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 21, 2016 at 2:23pm PST</time></div>
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<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah, I knew you were training something, a transition, I
was told… I saw you attempting something, but I wasn’t sure of what it was
until one day at a competition, practicing something, you did it, although I
think you didn’t compete it at the end, right?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, I saw Cristina Riera when I was little. She was
doing it and I told Pedro “I wanna do it!!” and he said, “Well, try it!” and (we started) playing. Eventually the game became “We have to do this because you do it
really well." We have tried all along these past 3 years, a thousand
combinations, a thousand tactics… how to do it, because it’s actually super
difficult and super precise. Eventually, one day, I’m not sure how we figured
out the key and we’ve been working on it. Well, some days it turns out
better, some days it turns out worse, but it’s really super difficult and the
day that I lose focus or the exact moment in which I have to let go (of the
bar) and stuff, then I can’t do it because it’s actually difficult and then
some other weeks I do it super well. I’ve competed it here, in Mallorca, and I
did it, also 2 weeks ago, in France. I did it during training but then it
didn’t turn out well in competition. So well… I’ll keep working on it and
whenever I’ll do it, I’ll do it.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- We can’t wait to see it and for it to be named after you
because you deserve it! And… was there any element that you thought would be
hard (to learn) and all of a sudden you just did it?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Hmm… (she pauses to think)<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- There is nothing that easy, huh?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- No, there is not!! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Everything is complicated in gymnastics<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Oh but the other day, the split ring leap, I did it on the
mat, and the coach said, “Come on, now do it on the beam” and well, I fell, but
then I did it quite well<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BH10o3_A58u/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">"La grandeza del deporte es la satisfacción de conseguirlo después de varios intentos" 🆕💪</a></div>
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A video posted by Cintia Rodriguez (@cintiia_94) on <time datetime="2016-07-14T11:55:43+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 14, 2016 at 4:55am PDT</time></div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- You posted a video of it too, we saw it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah! So the first attempt I was scared and I didn’t do it,
second attempt I fell, and the third one I did it! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Very well, 3rd time's the charm! And right now, are you trying to
increase your D scores? Are you training something new or are you just
perfecting what you already have?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, problem was that this week, which was dedicated to
do new elements, I was on vacation because tomorrow I start, for 4 weeks, a
Level 2 coach course so I was off this week and I couldn’t train, but when I
get back I will try to increase my difficulty on beam and bars.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- And speaking of bars, up until a few years ago, grips were
not really used in Spain, have you always used them, or did you adapt to them
later on? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- I’ve only used grips for a year now. I had never used them
before, and when I was 20 years old I put them on!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah, I never used them! How was the transition for you?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Horrible! I was telling him (her coach) everyday “I don’t
want to wear them! I don’t want to wear them!” Because they don’t help me. The L-grips,
they were so hard to do (with grips) even today. I was super happy without
grips, but honestly, it was hard also to go out (as in to compete outside of
the country) and everybody used them and I didn’t because they didn’t work for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And honestly, the only reason why I
began to use them was to do the Ray with a full twist because I actually do it
better with grips.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah well, maybe they’ll help you with some things…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Right now I’m very well (with the grips) but the L-grips
are still a little hard to do with grips.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- The day I used grips for the first time, I did a kip and
I decided they weren’t for me, so yeah, I guess I can understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, and about your floor exercise, does the
choreography have any meaning? Does it represent something?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- No, not at all. The choreographer puts it together for me
and the day after I’m already doing different movements because I tell her
“nah, I don’t like this, may I do this instead?” and she says “Yeah, do
whatever you want, everything looks good if you do it.” <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- So you make it yours… <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah. Actually, anytime I do my floor routine, it is never the
same choreography! It’s not the same moves! I improvise depending on the music
and how tired I am.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="276" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VLJglC_Gamw" width="490"></iframe></center>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
- And, which has been your favorite floor routine of the
past years? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Hmm! I think this one.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- The one you have right now?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah, the one I’ve had for this past year, I like it a
lot, the music and all… and besides this one, the one I had 2 years ago, the
2014 one I think, I also liked that one a lot.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Which are your favorite apparatus?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Let’s see, this is complicated! To train, beam, without a
doubt, beam is my favorite. But when it comes to competing it, I hate to
compete on beam, well, I guess it happens to all of us, because you have a
really hard time! But beam is my favorite, and then bars. Although when it
comes to compete, I love to compete on floor!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah, it’s really appealing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- How do you feel about the current code? Would you change
anything? <o:p></o:p>(She understand that we’re asking about the 2017-20 code and answers accordingly) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, I actually printed it today. I haven’t
completely looked at it yet but there are some things that I find great, that
are on our side, like beam D dismounts not being mandatory anymore, for instance,
or that leaps and turns are more important…<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Oh, so we’re talking about the code that will be current
after the Games…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah, exactly. And then, also, on uneven bars, it doesn’t
affect me at all, but I think it’s great that you can only do 3 elements of the
same family! It doesn’t affect me because I don’t have so many similar
elements, but there are a lot of gymnasts that I think (their bar routine)
is very repetitive and they abuse it, and like this, well, now they have to
learn something different.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- And about the former perfect 10 system, do you like it
more or less than what we have now?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- I liked the perfect 10 system so much better, but well,
what we have right now isn’t bad either, but the perfect 10 was so much cooler.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- And how did it come up to start competing at the Italian
and German leagues?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- The German league… There was a man that used to come with
his daughters from Germany to vacation in Mallorca and he got in touch with
Pedro because they (the little girls) wanted to do gymnastics and from then on, like 12 years ago, a great relationship was established. This man
ended up building a gym for his daughters back in Germany and he said “Pedro,
please, I started this gym, would you come over with your girls and help us
compete so we have a higher level, and in exchange I’ll help you with whatever?”
and we were pleased to do it so in 2010. It was the first time I went to the
Regional League to help them get to 3<sup>rd</sup> division, with that team,
the Gym Tittmoning, and from there on I began to compete in Germany and I went
to the Hamburg Gymnastics to compete and there was an Italian judge. That
Italian judge got in touch with me and said that in Italy they needed help to
get to 1<sup>st</sup> division and so I started to go to Italy too. In Germany
we never change teams, we always compete for the Gym Tittmoning which has
different categories, and in Italy I’ve competed for a different team every
year.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- And not so long ago you have competed at Spanish
Nationals. Can you tell us how did it go, what were your impressions? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- This National Championships went really bad! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, it happens sometimes…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah, well… vault I did well, look at that! And floor was
the last and truly, I was actually really angry and I didn’t even feel like
competing, but I did, and I can’t complain because I didn’t do bad. Beam was a
disaster and bars… I made a mistake, and I never make mistakes and that is what
made me so frustrated.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, it’s just one competition, there will be more… these
things happen! And now I’m gonna leave you with Nines, who’s going to ask you
about the future and some other things. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah, I’m going to ask about things that are maybe a
little more general. To begin with, how is your normal schedule in a week? How
do you make gymnastics compatible with other things?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, I wake up at around 9:30am, and I go to the gym…
well, some days I get up earlier and go to English class, then I go to the gym
from 11am to 2pm, I eat from 2pm to 3pm, then I work as a secretary from 4pm to
5pm, and from 5pm to 9pm I go back to the gym, and then go back home. [That schedule is] on
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Thursdays, I only train for one
session and on Saturdays I also only train one session. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- A ha, and you commented earlier that you are taking a
Level 2 coaching course, could you tell us more about it?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- I start tomorrow. In 2012, I took the Level 1 coaching
course, and I passed and got certified, and this year they offered the Level 2
course here in Mallorca and well, learning new things is always good and
despite I don’t want to be a coach. Well, I’m not sure. As of right now I don’t
want to be a coach, but I’m taking the course because it’s one more thing to have and it’s important. <o:p></o:p><br />
[Since this interview, Cintia has started the Level 2 course and is enjoying it enough to reconsider coaching!]<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- So, what are your goals for the future, inside and outside
gymnastics? What do you want to achieve in gymnastics, and in general with your
life? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- That is quite a difficult question! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah! It is for all of us, yeah!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- In gymnastics, I wasn’t sure… a few weeks ago I was
considering this to be my last year but I truly like gymnastics too much and it
won’t be my last year. Most likely I will only train one session from now on so
I can do some other things… and outside of gymnastics… I’m not sure yet.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Have you ever considered to continue your gymnastics
career at an American University? Is it something that you even consider here
in Spain? Do you (the Spanish team) receive scholarship offers, or is it not
too common?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah, I’ve actually discussed it sometimes with Jessica
López and her coach, but it’s not something that I have seriously
considered… I just think it’d be very difficult, but on the other hand I would
like to do it because it would be amazing to experience how gymnastics is felt
over there!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- So you haven’t completely ruled it out yet<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- No, I’m not ruling it out yet, but I don’t see it as a
very viable option…<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- And… since you’ve mentioned Jessica, your choice would be
Denver University or…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- I have no clue!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- You haven’t given it much thought yet as I see…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Nope! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Ok, and lastly, as curiosities, I wanted to ask a couple
more things. I’ve noticed that when you (the Spanish team) post videos or
pictures on social media, you always write a motivational quote, everybody in
the team does it. Is it because of something in particular? Do you have a pact
or something?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- No, not at all. They, the ones from Madrid, I’m not sure
because they are always posting pictures at the same time and all, so I have no
clue. But me, depending on the picture, I come up with a quote and I write it
down. I like to write, so I come up with it, and I put it there. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- That’s cool. And another curiosity, what gymnasts do you
admire, or who are your role models?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Without a doubt, for me. Catalina Ponor has always been
worthy of admiration. In Bern I was actually able to take a picture with her
and I was like “Oh, God! I took a picture with her!!”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdf2FVg1QrUdYsJX8E3fJhQ5WJE77-ZYguGgovcm-i4bwgGN0ysmSa1vKLBu5PTiDYhRbSx3N0ScLJ9lKiswc70hyphenhyphen4fx3AX3LA6gjA1IXiijxmyhsT3OrucHDsavOOYGVPP3QZ0JAQrd9/s1600/cintia1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdf2FVg1QrUdYsJX8E3fJhQ5WJE77-ZYguGgovcm-i4bwgGN0ysmSa1vKLBu5PTiDYhRbSx3N0ScLJ9lKiswc70hyphenhyphen4fx3AX3LA6gjA1IXiijxmyhsT3OrucHDsavOOYGVPP3QZ0JAQrd9/s320/cintia1.jpg" width="275" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Personal photo of Cintia Rodriguez</span></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Hey, and she with you!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah yeah… but she started to follow me on Instagram and I
had to take a screenshot of that! And also Svetlana Khorkina has always been
important to me, and also Nastia Liukin, I’ve always liked her a lot. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- You all have similar styles actually… everyone you
mentioned and yourself, just so you know. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, it’s actually the kind of gymnastics that I enjoy. I
don’t want to take away the merit from some because it’s incredible what the
Americans do! Simone is a beast! And I admire it because I will never be able
to do things like that, but I would always prefer a Dutch gymnast like Lieke
Wevers to Simone Biles, for instance. Because it’s my gymnastics style and I
like it more… because it’s artistic gymnastics, not acrobatic. But that’s just
my opinion of how I see gymnastics. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah well, you and a lot of people, of course… And well,
is there anything else that you would like to tell us about your gymnastics or
about you? Is there any question that we haven’t asked you? Just tell us
whatever you want!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Actually… I don’t know! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yeah open questions like that are a little difficult. Does
anybody want to ask her anything else?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- (Cristina) Yeah, I wanted to ask if you’re planning to continue
doing gymnastics, but you’ve already said you are and I am very happy about
that. But I’m not sure if you’re planning to continue to a specific moment or
you’re just going to continue until you feel like you cannot do it anymore...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Thing is that when training goes well, we always think of
continuing, but when training goes bad I always think, “Nah, that’s it, I am
done.” And after Nationals, because it went so bad, the first thing I thought
was, “It’s over.” But then you think about it coldly and I tell myself “I can’t
end it like this, I want to continue competing. If I don’t get anywhere else
with the National Team, well, it’s ok, I’ll train for one session and I’ll go
and compete gymnastics to have fun and for those who admire my gymnastics to
enjoy it… and that’s it.”.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Thank you! Thank you!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- And also I am really excited because my coach, Pedro Mir,
and Jessica’s coach they are organizing here in Mallorca an international
competition, and I would like to compete in it. It’ll be in February. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Oh, that’s interesting! Can you tell us more about it? I
love it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, I don’t have all the specifics yet because Pedro
hasn’t told me everything but I know it’s being organized at a big arena, the
Palm Arena, where we had Nationals in 2007. It’s going to be on the 17<sup>th</sup>
and 18<sup>th</sup> of February and so far, there are already gyms from Brazil
and the U.S. that are set to compete.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- I’ll be there… it’s around my birthday too so it’s
perfect! Thank you! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- I think it’s going to be super cool and a lot of important
people are coming over to compete and I would love to compete in it. And well,
another thing I would love is to compete in Italy another year because
gymnastics there is incredible! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- I also wanted to ask about Italy… how do you manage
with the language? How do you communicate with your team? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, I’ve been going there for three years already and
spoke to people so little by little you learn and I speak to them in Italian.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- And in Germany? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- In Germany I speak in English if I can and if not, then
Pedro translates for me. But Italian is really easy, you understand everything
because it’s really similar to Catalonian (language that is also spoken in
Mallorca) and it’s really easy to understand. But about competing in Italy, if
you guys ever can make it, I recommend that you attend a competition there
because it has nothing to do with how gymnastics is here! In Rome, there was a
capacity of 12.000 people! It’s incredible.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- We’ll have to save money to go before you retire so we can
see you too… <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- If I’m in good shape and some club wants me to compete for
them, which for now, they do, I’m definitely competing there next year again… I
hope! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Well, then for now we’d say this is it… you’ve been with
us for like an hour now<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- It was my pleasure <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Please understand that as excited as you were when
Catalina Ponor followed you on IG, that’s as excited as we are for speaking to
you <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Oh there is no comparison!!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Yes, yes for us there is. So thank you, really, for being
so kind to do this and answer to all of our questions. Thank you so much.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- It’s the least I can do for people that enjoy gymnastics,
try to make it more popular and for other people to know more about gymnastics…
I’m proud and pleased to help <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you, Cintia, for this wonderful interview and for your beautiful gymnastics! And thank you to Podcast Asimetricas for agreeing to do this interview.</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
Follow Cintia<br />
on twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/cintiia94">@cintiia94</a><br />
on instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cintiia_94/">@cintiia_94</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Follow Podcast Asimetricas<br />
on twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/asimetricaspod">@asimetricaspod</a></div>
Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-46760052105855117582016-07-23T22:31:00.002-04:002016-07-25T14:43:36.455-04:00Rio 2016 - The Athletes<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2jSfqFP27LWUEWWWTv55EWPb74RRXGGENftLUi8Sxcev6x-my9UbtDlbX-Ooe0ZW0EwCwgQkf-ld10BXMpNbZ8gPzPcY_YegTDPi0f6TYxvGI5NcTPy9WGLeRbo2hvMly0w-_aa6ErNb/s1600/petrounias1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2jSfqFP27LWUEWWWTv55EWPb74RRXGGENftLUi8Sxcev6x-my9UbtDlbX-Ooe0ZW0EwCwgQkf-ld10BXMpNbZ8gPzPcY_YegTDPi0f6TYxvGI5NcTPy9WGLeRbo2hvMly0w-_aa6ErNb/s400/petrounias1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Greek gymnast Eleftherios Petrounias had the honor of starting the Olympic Torch Relay</span></div>
<br />
Below you can find a list of both male and female gymnasts set to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. The first 8 teams are in order of their ranking at the 2015 World Championships. Teams 9-12 are based on their rankings from the Test Event. The next set of 4 athletes are from teams that competed at the Test Event but did not get to send a full squad to the Olympics. After that, you have the athletes that automatically qualified based on a top 3 individual finish in an event final at the 2015 World Championships. Then, you have the athletes as they were ranked at the Test Event.<br />
<br />
<b>ROSTER</b><br />
<table id="injury" style="width: 100%;"><tbody>
<tr><th colspan="2" style="width: 50%;">WAG</th><th colspan="2" style="width: 50%;">MAG</th></tr>
<tr><th>IOC</th><th>Name</th><th>IOC</th><th>Name</th></tr>
<tr><td>USA</td><td>Simone Biles<br />
Gabrielle Douglas<br />
Laurie Hernandez<br />
Madison Kocian<br />
Aly Raisman
<br />
alt - Locklear, Skinner, Smith</td><td>JPN</td><td>Ryohei Kato<br />
Kenzo Shirai<br />
Yusuke Tanaka<br />
Kohei Uchimura<br />
Koji Yamamuro</td></tr>
<tr><td>RUS</td><td>Angelina Melnikova<br />
Aliya Mustafina
<br />
Maria Paseka<br />
Daria Spiridonova<br />
Seda Tutkhalyan<br />
alt - Shelgunova, Kapitonova, Ekhaimova</td><td>CHN</td><td>Deng Shudi<br />
Lin Chaopan<br />
Liu Yang<br />
You Hao<br />
Zhang Chenglong
</td></tr>
<tr><td>GBR</td><td>Becky Downie<br />
Ellie Downie<br />
Claudia Fragapane<br />
Ruby Harrold<br />
Amy Tinkler<br />
alt - Gabby Jupp, Kelly Simm, </td><td>GBR</td><td>Brinn Bevan<br />
Louis Smith<br />
Kristian Thomas<br />
Max Whitlock<br />
Nile Wilson</td></tr>
<tr><td>CHN</td><td>Fan Yilin<br />
Mao Yi<br />
Shang Chunsong<br />
Tan Jiaxin<br />
Wang Yan</td><td>RUS</td><td>Denis Ablyazin<br />
David Belyavskiy<br />
Nikita Ignatyev<br />
Nikolai Kuksenkov<br />
Nikita Nagornyy
</td></tr>
<tr><td>ITA</td><td>Erika Fasana<br />
Carlotta Ferlito<br />
Vanessa Ferrari<br />
Elisa Meneghini<br />
Martina Rizelli<br />
alt: Lara Mori</td><td>USA</td><td>Chris Brooks<br />
Jake Dalton<br />
Danell Leyva<br />
Sam Mikulak<br />
Alex Naddour</td></tr>
<tr><td>JPN</td><td>Sae Miyakawa
<br />
Mai Murakami<br />
Aiko Sugihara<br />
Asuka Teramoto<br />
Yuki Uchiyama</td><td>SUI</td><td>Christian Baumann<br />
Pablo Braegger<br />
Benjamin Gischard<br />
Oliver Hegi<br />
Eddy Yusof </td></tr>
<tr><td>CAN</td><td>Ellie Black<br />
Shallon Olsen<br />
Isabela Onyshko<br />
Brittany Rogers<br />
Rose Kaying Woo<br />
alt: Roberts, Copiak</td><td>BRA</td><td>Arthur Nabarrete Zanetti<br />
Arthur Nory Oyakawa Mariano<br />
Diego Hypolito<br />
Francisco Carlos Barretto Junior<br />
Sergio Sasaki Junior</td></tr>
<tr><td>NED</td><td><br />
Eythora Thorsdottir<br />
Lieke Wevers<br />
Sanne Wevers<br />
Celine van Gerner<br />
Vera van Pol</td><td>KOR</td><td>Kim Hansol<br />
Lee Sangwook<br />
Park Minsoo<br />
Shin Donghyen <br />
Yoo Wonchul</td></tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Teams 9-12 at Test Event</th></tr>
<tr><td>BRA</td><td>Rebeca Andrade<br />
Jade Barbosa<br />
Daniele Hypolito<br />
Lorrane Oliveira<br />
Flavia Saraiva<br />
alt: Carolyne Pedro</td><td>GER</td><td>Andreas Bretschneider<br />
Lukas Dauser<br />
Fabian Hambuechen<br />
Marcel Nguyen<br />
Andreas Toba</td></tr>
<tr><td>GER</td><td>Tabea Alt<br />
Kim Bui<br />
Pauline Schaefer<br />
Sophie Scheder<br />
Elisabeth Seitz<br />
alt: Pauline Tratz</td><td>UKR</td><td>Oleg Verniaev<br />
Igor Radivilov<br />
Vladyslav Kryko<br />
Maksym Semiankiv<br />
Andrii Sienichkin</td></tr>
<tr><td>BEL</td><td>Senna Deriks<br />
Nina Derwael<br />
Rune Hermans<br />
Gaelle Mys<br />
Laura Waem<br />
alt - Vandenhole, Meyers</td><td>NED</td><td>Bart Deurloo<br />
Frank Rijken<br />
Jeffrey Wammes<br />
Yuri van Gelder<br />
Epke Zonderland</td></tr>
<tr><td>FRA</td><td>Marine Boyer<br />
Marine Brevet<br />
Loan His<br />
Louise Vanhille<br />
Oreane Lechenault</td><td>FRA</td><td>Samir Ait Said<br />
Axel Augis<br />
Julien Gobaux<br />
Danny Pinheiro-Rodrigues<br />
Cyril Tommasone</td></tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Individuals from Remaining Teams at Test Event</th></tr>
<tr><td>AUS</td><td>Larrissa Miller</td><td>ROU</td><td>Andrei Muntean</td></tr>
<tr><td>SUI</td><td>Giulia Steingruber</td><td>ESP</td><td>Nestor Abad</td></tr>
<tr><td>ROU</td><td>Catalina Ponor</td><td>BEL</td><td>Dennis Goossens</td></tr>
<tr><td>KOR</td><td>Lee Go Im</td><td>CAN</td><td>Scott Morgan</td></tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Automatic Qualifiers from World Championships 2015</th></tr>
<tr><td rowspan="7">PRK</td><td rowspan="7">Hong Un Jong</td><td>ESP</td><td>Rayderley Zapata</td></tr>
<tr><td>ARM</td><td>Harutyun Merdinyan</td></tr>
<tr><td>GRE</td><td>Eleftherios Petrounias</td></tr>
<tr><td>PRK</td><td>Ri Se Gwang</td></tr>
<tr><td>ROU</td><td>Marian Dragulescu</td></tr>
<tr><td>AZE</td><td>Oleg Stepko</td></tr>
<tr><td>CUB</td><td>Manrique Larduet</td></tr>
<tr><th colspan="4">Individual Qualifiers from Test Event</th></tr>
<tr><td>GUA</td><td>Ana Sofia Gomez</td><td>COL</td><td>Jossimar Calvo</td></tr>
<tr><td>VEN</td><td>Jessica Lopez</td><td>MEX</td><td>Daniel Corral</td></tr>
<tr><td>GRE</td><td>Vasiliki Millousi</td><td>BLR</td><td>Andrey Likhovitskiy</td></tr>
<tr><td>HUN</td><td>Zsofia Kovacs</td><td>ISR</td><td>Alexander Shatilov</td></tr>
<tr><td>ESP</td><td>Ana Perez</td><td>TUR</td><td>Ferhat Arican</td></tr>
<tr><td>UKR</td><td>Angelina Kysla</td><td>ARM</td><td>Artur Davtyan</td></tr>
<tr><td>MEX</td><td>Alexa Moreno</td><td>CUB</td><td>Randy Leru</td></tr>
<tr><td>CUB</td><td>Marcia Vidiaux</td><td>CRO</td><td>Filip Ude</td></tr>
<tr><td>POR</td><td>Ana Filipa Martins</td><td>AZE</td><td>Petro Pakhnyuk</td></tr>
<tr><td>POL</td><td>Katarzyna Jurkowska-Kowalska</td><td>UZB</td><td>Anton Fokin</td></tr>
<tr><td>AUT</td><td>Lisa Ecker</td><td>FIN</td><td>Oskar Kirmes</td></tr>
<tr><td>JAM</td><td>Toni-Ann Williams</td><td>ITA</td><td>Ludovico Edalli</td></tr>
<tr><td>ISL</td><td>Irina Sazonova</td><td>NOR</td><td>Stian Skjerahaug</td></tr>
<tr><td>VIE</td><td>Phan Thi Ha Thanh</td><td>CZE</td><td>David Jessen</td></tr>
<tr><td>IND</td><td>Dipa Karmakar</td><td>LTU</td><td>Robert Tvorogal</td></tr>
<tr><td>SVK</td><td>Barbora Mokosova</td><td>VIE</td><td>Pham Phuoc Hung</td></tr>
<tr><td>NZL</td><td>Courtney McGregor</td><td>CYP</td><td>Marios Georgiou</td></tr>
<tr><td>UZB</td><td>Oksana Chusovitina</td><td>IRL</td><td>Kieran Behan</td></tr>
<tr><td>ARM</td><td>Houry Gebeshian</td><td>GRE</td><td>Vlasios Maras</td></tr>
<tr><td>PER</td><td>Ariana Orrego</td><td>ARG</td><td>Nicolas Cordoba</td></tr>
<tr><td>CHI</td><td>Simona Castro</td><td>NZL</td><td>Mikhail Koudinov</td></tr>
<tr><td>SLO</td><td>Teja Belak</td><td>RSA</td><td>Ryan Patterson</td></tr>
<tr><td>TUR</td><td>Tutya Yilmaz</td><td>CHI</td><td>Tomas Gonzalez</td></tr>
<tr><td>SWE</td><td>Emma Larsson</td><td>HUN</td><td>Vid Hidvegi</td></tr>
<tr><td>TTO</td><td>Marisa Dick</td><td>TPE</td><td>Lee Chih Kai</td></tr>
<tr><td>CRO</td><td>Ana Derek</td><td>ALG</td><td>Mohamed Abdeldjalil Bourguieg (C)</td></tr>
<tr><td>COL</td><td>Catalina Escobar Gomez</td><td>MON</td><td>Kevin Crovetto (T)</td></tr>
<tr><td>BLR</td><td>Kylie Dickson</td></tr>
<tr><td>IRL</td><td>Ellis O'Reilly</td>
</tr>
<tr><td>ARG</td><td>Ailen Valente</td>
</tr>
<tr><td>ALG</td><td>Farah Boufadene (C)</td>
</tr>
<tr><td>EGY</td><td>Sherine El-Zeiny (C)</td>
</tr>
<tr><td>PAN</td><td>Isabella Amado (T)</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
(C) denotes continental spot<br />
(T) denotes tripartite spot<br />
<br />
If Russia is truly banned from participating in the Olympics, the next team in rank is Australia for the women and Romania for the men.Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-5243321917571352872016-07-20T20:46:00.001-04:002016-07-20T20:46:43.687-04:00Olympic Preview: Team China<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwk_1Ao4MvQfAsuW2Dabj0EoicRzb_R_g4dU3-2Vx_2L3beidVPUnzyp9_m3msrORLoygTcfJgHVBx9yMZPNOgJHRy4nWJA0kaGN8Aeid1NzH50Ejki62rXmJ2YXNJZPHrDGLKVzcF_ZqQ/s1600/tumblr_o752tlHk171uty8rio8_500.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwk_1Ao4MvQfAsuW2Dabj0EoicRzb_R_g4dU3-2Vx_2L3beidVPUnzyp9_m3msrORLoygTcfJgHVBx9yMZPNOgJHRy4nWJA0kaGN8Aeid1NzH50Ejki62rXmJ2YXNJZPHrDGLKVzcF_ZqQ/s400/tumblr_o752tlHk171uty8rio8_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Team China has been a bit of a mystery to me. Most of the information we get is through the Chinese gymternet and the people kind enough to share it with us on tumblr. The Olympic team has been announced and there has already been a replacement due to injury. The current team consists of Shang Chunsong, Fan Yilin, Wang Yan, Mao Yi, and Tan Jiaxin.<br />
<br />
<b>Shang Chunsong</b> is now the veteran of the team. She made her international debut in 2012 at the Pacific Rim Championship. Since then, she has gone on to 3 World Championships and was a lock for China's Olympic team. Shang grew up in a rural area of China. and her family sold their calves to pay for her gymnastics. As a senior, Shang won many national titles earning her enough money to help settle her family and buy a home for her brother who is visually impaired. Despite numerous national titles in one of the greatest gym nations, Shang is yet to bring home an individual world medal. She has made numerous all around finals though is often held back by a weak vault - a full twisting Yurchenko (5.0D). Though her difficulty on vault is low, her difficulty elsewhere is competitive. She has made an individual event final in everything but vault and has often finished in the top 8 AA. Her execution, however, can cause trouble. A specific slow motion of her switch ring on beam at 2013 worlds comes to mind. That aside, with Larisa Iordache possibly out of the Olympics and Angelina Melnikova struggling with a hamstring injury, Shang could finally have her chance to bring home an individual all around medal. Also look for her to make the beam and floor finals - her floor with a very strong 3.5 punch front pike and triple twist immediate punch front tuck. You can read more on Shang Chunsong/a translation of a short documentary on her here: <a href="http://mrfirefoxgym.tumblr.com/post/147175800537/in-the-olympic-year-shang-chunsong-my-name-is">In the Olympic Year - Shang Chunsong</a>.<br />
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World Champion <b>Fan Yilin</b> is one of the other crucial members for Team China. In 2015, she was part of a four-way tie for the gold medal on uneven bars but boasted the highest difficulty of the group at 6.9. Since then, she has successfully competed a 7.1 D at an internal test with a connected pirouette giving her the additional two tenths in difficulty (D-score breakdown <a href="https://youtu.be/SkDV-ypjW1E">here</a>). Her <a href="https://youtu.be/bffTFJfWILE">balance beam</a> is at a 6.7 D score if everything is connected. Fan has competed floor exercise but not at major international competitions. Her D there is relatively low, 5.4. Look for Fan to again make the uneven bar final with her eyes set on a medal. Also look for her in the beam final if all goes according to plan in qualifications.<br />
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Though I missed a lot of junior chat, <b>Mao Yi</b> was one of the juniors I do remember hearing about. She had her senior debut in 2015 and capped off the year as a world silver medalist with the team in 2015. She competed on vault and floor in both team qualifications and team finals where she boasts a solid double twisting Yurchenko. Don't be fooled as Mao did compete in the all around at the 2016 Chinese National Championships where she won the silver medal. She struggles on bars with a slightly awkward construction but has a good beam and has upgraded floor to a 6.4 difficulty. Like Shang Chunsong, she has a 3.5 to punch front tuck, a triple full to punch front pike, with the addition of a 2.5 to punch front layout? half. I don't know why but that last one impresses me the most. For Mao, look for her to possibly joining Shang in the all around final and possibly floor final. You can read/watch more on Mao Yi here: <a href="http://16-233.tumblr.com/post/146389570159/major-shoutout-to-team-china-for-uploading-the">The Olympic Year - Mao Yi</a>.<br />
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<b>Wang Yan</b> is another athlete that was heralded as one to watch as a junior. She competed at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games then at the World Championships in 2015 as a newly minted senior. She competed in all 4 events and made the all around final. In the team final, she contributed on everything but uneven bars. Wang is China's only shot at a vault medal where she has a double twisting Tsukahara (6.0 D) and a Rudi (6.2 D). She's capable of being one of China's top all arounders but injuries have plagued her throughout 2016. Her vaults and her potential are part of what kept her on the team, after pain kept her from competing to her fullest potential at this year's Nationals. Based on interviews with the coaches, she is coming back stronger both physically and mentally. Look for her in the vault final. Her other finals, beam and floor are possible if she is close to 100%.<br />
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To round out the team, we have <b>Tan Jiaxin</b> who recently replaced injured Liu Tingting. Unfortunately, Tan is not without injuries as an elbow injury keeps her a question mark. She is most useful on vault and the uneven bars. On vault, she was working an Amanar though, to my knowledge, she has not successfully landed it in competition/internal test (though has gotten very close). She is also great on the uneven bars where she has high difficulty and caps off her routine with a full twisting double layout.<br />
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Here's what I make of Team China's lineup. Without Liu Tingting, they lose a strong beam worker. Tan is strong on vault and uneven bars, provided her elbow injury does not cause difficulties on this event. Of note, China is in a similar all around issue that other countries are in. Shang is certainly doing all around. Mao finished 2nd at the recent championships. Wang has great all around potential though she has not shown it recently due to injury and consistency issues. Do you give her the chance on uneven bars or give it to Tan since she actually has a chance at the event final? Based on what we've seen, I think the spot goes to Tan. All around spots will go to Mao and Shang.<br />
<br />
Possible Lineup<br />
VT: Shang, Mao, Tan, Wang<br />
UB: Mao, Tan, Shang, Fan<br />
BB: Wang, Mao, Fan, Shang<br />
FX: Fan, Wang, Mao, Shang<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>What do you think of this lineup?</b>Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-67449550940906821192016-07-10T23:23:00.002-04:002016-07-18T19:08:06.863-04:00US Olympic Team Announced<center>
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<span id="goog_706607923"></span><span id="goog_706607924"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWTUcJ8tfXt0ELWfCrKjMuQtlX0mLIdG4ONoN8SYg08AyDvGM1OVJ1u29cccYSrfBjYPqSmSApabEZTYlzkHeGgm_7O7xcdQCefqHnJtzmfSM_aVq59yz61gdhh5HRKWMZ83MEbYhaSm2/s1600/CnDWscdVIAIx5dS.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWTUcJ8tfXt0ELWfCrKjMuQtlX0mLIdG4ONoN8SYg08AyDvGM1OVJ1u29cccYSrfBjYPqSmSApabEZTYlzkHeGgm_7O7xcdQCefqHnJtzmfSM_aVq59yz61gdhh5HRKWMZ83MEbYhaSm2/s400/CnDWscdVIAIx5dS.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</center>
<br />
The United States of America has named their 2016 Olympic team that will be heading to Rio. They come in as the defending team champions with defending individual champions in the All Around and Floor Exercise. Team USA also boasts the three time defending World All Around Champion Simone Biles.<br />
<br />
In a team containing returning Olympians and one of the most decorated world champions, it's difficult to figure out who "headlines" the team. We'll start with the athlete of the quadrennium - <b>Simone Biles</b>. Biles started in 2013 as the new kid on the block but proved to be ready for greatness. She won her first all around gold at that year's World Championship and continued to do the same in the following two worlds. She was the first athlete to "3-peat," win 3 consecutive world AA gold medals. At World Championships, Biles has also medaled on every event other than bars though she has made finals or finished top 8. Biles goes in as the heavy favorite for the all around championship in Rio.<br />
<br />
One of the veterans of the team is <b>Aly Raisman</b>. Grandma Aly, as the team affectionately calls her, was part of the gold medal winning Fierce Five at the 2012 London Olympics. She will return to the Olympics as the defending floor exercise champion. Raisman also earned a bronze medal on the balance beam. This year showed continued progress from Aly with changes in her balance beam routine to work on shaky connections and an ever explosive floor exercise with her signature pass - 1.5 through to arabian punch front (fun name, huh?). At times, Raisman's confidence seemed to falter but ever the team player, she should be one of the rocks for Team USA in Rio.<br />
<br />
The second veteran is <b>Gabrielle Douglas</b>, defending Olympic All Around Champion. Like Raisman, Douglas took about a year off after the London Olympics, another year to get back into competition shape, then had a solid 2015 at the World Championships. Throughout the year, however, Douglas hasn't been as stable as we've become accustomed to seeing. Douglas will hope to make the all around finals again, though it will be difficult, and possibly make finals on uneven bars or balance beam.<br />
<br />
<b>Laurie Hernandez</b> is the newcomer sure to steal hearts and get people off their seats in Rio. Known as the "human emoji" and known for her charismatic dance, Hernandez will make her major international debut. As one of the top all around gymnasts in the US, she will hope to compete the all around. She truly can contribute to the team on all events.<br />
<br />
Rounding out the team is Uneven Bar World Champion <b>Madison Kocian</b>. Kocian was one of the juniors always on the radar but struggled with injuries throughout her senior career. She did make the worlds team in 2014 where she earned a team gold. She repeated the team gold in 2015 but this time earned an individual uneven bars gold medal. Or not so individual as it was a 4-way tie. Kocian had an injury at the beginning of the year that kept her out but she has come back strong enough to do the all around. She won't be used on all events but knowing that she can be used helped her earn this spot. In additional, Kocian will be hungry for a spot in that uneven bars final and a truly individual gold medal.<br />
<br />
Skinner, Smith, and Locklear were named as alternates to the team. <b>Mykayla Skinner</b> is best known for her vaults and floor exercise. If she were called to compete, she would have a decent shot at the vault event final. In addition, on floor exercise she competes an original double twisting double layout. The hardest skill competed by any female athlete. <b>Ragan Smith</b> is a new senior that has had a fire in her eyes. She had one slip up at P&G Championships but otherwise has done well enough to impress the selection committee. <b>Ashton Locklear,</b> a member of the Lumbee tribe, rounds out the alternates. Known for her amazing work on the uneven bars, Locklear basically had a head to head battle with Madison Kocian for that final spot. If called upon, Locklear's excellent execution on the uneven bars could earn her a place in the vent finals.<br />
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Congratulations to all the athletes, coaches, and their families!!! We are excited to watch Team USA in Rio.Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-34299626085075624722016-07-04T17:02:00.001-04:002016-12-19T18:18:03.617-05:00Gymnastics Injuries 2016 May-Dec<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhis2EXSMySznPEKlBOGfnqcABnn1oYujri09R6YlRmmHTg4QyP2ggPSufYTpG-GHx1JVzw-FTE0OAuURlT_kTKy7Od1RBl7F93gFcMtkEjkySUloQkestQhIZ9iW25P-SnyqmcMW9Llsda/s1600/kim-bui-102-_v-gseagaleriexl.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhis2EXSMySznPEKlBOGfnqcABnn1oYujri09R6YlRmmHTg4QyP2ggPSufYTpG-GHx1JVzw-FTE0OAuURlT_kTKy7Od1RBl7F93gFcMtkEjkySUloQkestQhIZ9iW25P-SnyqmcMW9Llsda/s400/kim-bui-102-_v-gseagaleriexl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Yeah, not doing the list again next year. Or I'm just keeping one list that I'm updating. This is far too depressing.<br />
<br />
Happy news! Kim Bui is back from her ACL tear and back with a vengeance. She recently earned a spot on the European team. If she stays healthy, she could certainly challenge for a spot on Germany's team.<br />
<br />
Russia's injury list thoroughly confuses me. Komova and Kharenkova are injured. Afanasyeva was well enough to compete at European Championships but is now injured again, making her spot for Rio more tentative. There will be a combination of Russian trips to Germany and bringing the German Doctor to round like. Yes, he/she warrants capitalization.<br />
<br />
<b>Note about the list:</b><br />
The list consists of national team members that have had some injury that keeps them out of competition. (c) indicates gymnasts that have returned to national team camp or control competition but not yet to a "public" competition.<br />
Retirement means retirement from elite competition. Some athletes may go on to do NCAA or compete for their local/provincial team but maybe not on a national/international level.<br />
<h3>
2016</h3>
<table id="injury"><tbody>
<tr><th style="width: 200px;">Name (Country)</th><th style="width: 300px;">Injury</th><th style="width: 100px;">Return to Competition</th></tr>
<tr><td>Tyesha Mattis GBR</td><td>??? (Mar)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Carlotta Ferlito ITA</td><td>??? (Mar)</td><td>Jul 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ekaterina Sokova RUS</td><td>??? (Mar)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Fan Yilin CHN</td><td>Shoulder pain (Mar)</td><td>Apr 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Pauline Schaefer GER</td><td>Shoulder pain (Mar)</td><td>Apr 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Alyssa Baumann USA</td><td>Elbow surgery (Jun)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Larisa Iordache ROU</td><td>Finger fracture and surgery (Mar)</td><td>Jul 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Nina Derwael BEL</td><td>Hand injury (Mar)</td><td>Aug 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Viktoria Komova RUS</td><td>Back injury (Mar)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Kim Janas GER</td><td>ACL tear (May '15)<br />
Elbow dislocation (Feb)</td><td>Nov 2016<br /><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Mary-Anne Monckton AUS</td><td>ACL tear (Mar)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Lisa Top CAN</td><td>PCL and meniscus tear (May)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Aleeza Yu CAN</td><td>Knee injury (Oct '14)<br />
Ankle injury (Feb)</td><td>Feb 2016<br />
<br /></td></tr>
<tr><td>Tabea Alt GER</td><td>Knee injury (Mar)</td><td>Apr 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Jonna Adlerteg SWE</td><td>Meniscus surgery (Mar)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Maggie Nichols USA</td><td>Meniscus surgery (Apr)</td><td>Jun 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Roxana Popa ESP</td><td>Meniscus surgery (Mar)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Nia Dennis USA</td><td>Achilles surgery (Feb)</td><td>Jun 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wyomi Masela NED</td><td>Achilles surgery (Feb)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Maartje Ruikes NED</td><td>Achilles injury (Feb)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Norah Flatley USA</td><td>Ankle injury (Feb)</td><td>May 2016 (c)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ksenia Afanasyeva RUS</td><td>Ankle injury (Jul)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Maria Kharenkova RUS</td><td>Ankle injury (Jul)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Laura Jurca ROU</td><td>Ankle fracture (Mar)</td><td>Nov 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
2015</h3>
<table id="injury"><tbody>
<tr><th style="width: 200px;">Name (Country)</th><th style="width: 300px;">Injury</th><th style="width: 100px;">Return to Competition</th></tr>
<tr><td>Ruby Harrold GBR</td><td>??? (Mar)</td><td>Sep 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Axelle Klinckaert BEL</td><td>??? (Mar)</td><td>May 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Teal Grindle GBR</td><td>Shoulder injury (Mar)</td><td>Nov 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Yao Jinnan CHN</td><td>Shoulder surgery (Feb)</td><td>Apr 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ashton Locklear USA</td><td>Shoulder surgery (Mar)</td><td>Aug 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sabrina Vega USA</td><td>Shoulder surgery (Mar)</td><td>Jul 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Marta Costa ESP</td><td>Shoulder surgery (May)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Youna Dufournet FRA</td><td>Shoulder surgery (Jun)</td><td>Mar 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Anna Pavlova AZE</td><td>Elbow injury (Apr)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Aliya Mustafina RUS</td><td>Back (Sep)</td><td>Apr 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Kelly Simm GBR</td><td>Back (Dec)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Lisa Ecker AUT</td><td>Knee injury (Apr)</td><td>Oct 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Yesenia Ferrera CUB</td><td>Knee injury (May)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">? retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Elsa Garcia MEX</td><td>Knee injury (Oct)</td><td>Feb 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Giulia Steingruber SUI</td><td>Knee injury (Oct)</td><td>Mar 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Chantysha Netteb NED</td><td>Knee reoperation (Mar)</td><td>Mar 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Diana Bulimar ROU</td><td>Knee surgery (Jun)</td><td>Sep 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Raer Theaker GBR</td><td>Knee surgery (Jun)<br />
Elbow surgery (Nov)</td><td>Sep 2015<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Alessandra Thompson RSA</td><td>Knee surgery (Jun)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Anastasia Grishina RUS</td><td>Torn meniscus & broken patella (Apr '14)<br />
ACL tear (Mar)</td><td>Feb 2015<br />
Sep 2015<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Gabby Jupp GBR</td><td>ACL tear (Mar)</td><td>Mar 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Jonna Adlerteg SWE</td><td>ACL tear (Apr)</td><td>Feb 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Kim Bui GER</td><td>ACL tear (May)</td><td>May 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Rebeca Andrade BRA</td><td>ACL tear (Jun)</td><td>Mar 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lauren Mitchell AUS</td><td>ACL tear (Jun)</td><td>Mar 2016 (c)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Carlotta Ferlito ITA</td><td>Foot injury (Feb)</td><td>Mar 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Larisa Iordache ROU</td><td>Foot injury (Mar)</td><td>Sep 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Laura Waem BEL</td><td>Foot injury (Mar)</td><td>Sep 2015 (c)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Isa Maassen NED</td><td>Foot injury (Jun)</td><td>Dec 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Catherine Lyons GBR jr</td><td>Stress fracture (Jun)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Koko Tsurumi JPN</td><td>Achilles tear (May)</td><td>Nov 2015<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Catalina Ponor</td><td>Achilles surgery (Oct)</td><td>Mar 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lara Mori ITA</td><td>Ankle injury (Mar)</td><td>Sep 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Julie Croket BEL</td><td>??? (Mar)<br />
Ankle sprain (Sep)</td><td>Oct 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mira Boumejmajen FRA</td><td>Ankle injury (Mar)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Alla Sosnitskaya RUS</td><td>Ankle injury (Apr)</td><td>Sep 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Marta Pihan-Kulesza POL</td><td>Ankle injury (May)</td><td>Oct 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Noel van Klaveren NED</td><td>Ankle surgery (May)</td><td>Sep 2015 (c)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Felicia Hano USA</td><td>Ankle injury (Jul)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Arianna Rocca ITA</td><td>Ankle injury (Sep)</td><td>Feb 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ana Maria Ocolisan ROU</td><td>Elbow surgery (Feb)<br />
Ankle injury
(Oct)</td><td>Jun 2015<br />
Mar 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Iosra Abdelaziz ITA</td><td>Foot surgery (Jan)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Martina Rizzelli ITA</td><td>Metatarsal fracture + surgery (Sep)</td><td>Feb 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Nina Derwael BEL</td><td>Toe injury (Nov)</td><td>Mar 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Vanessa Ferrari ITA</td><td>Medical - mononucleosis (Mar)</td><td>Apr 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
2014</h3>
<table id="injury"><tbody>
<tr><th style="width: 200px;">Name (Country)</th><th style="width: 300px;">Injury</th><th style="width: 100px;">Return to Competition</th></tr>
<tr><td>Elisa Cherino GER</td><td><a href="http://www.rp-online.de/sport/andere/turnen-elisa-chirino-schwer-gestuerzt-aid-1.4152752">Fractured cervical vertebrae</a> (Mar)</td><td><a href="https://www.facebook.com/staystrongelisa/posts/1441239122809871">FB</a>; <a href="http://wir-helfen-elisa.de/">site</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Miriana Almeida MEX</td><td>??? (Aug)</td><td>May 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sandra Collantes PER</td><td>??? (Sep)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retire - NCAA</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Anne Kuhm FRA</td><td>Collarbone (Jan)</td><td>Feb 2015 (c)<br />
Mar 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Kirsten Beckett RSA</td><td>Shoulder surgery (Aug)</td><td>Jun 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Peyton Ernst USA</td><td>Dislocated shoulder + surgery (Aug)</td><td>Apr 2015 (c)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ida Gustafsson SWE</td><td>Shoulder injury (Aug)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Rebecca Tunney GBR</td><td>Elbow (May)</td><td>Sep 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Bailie Key USA jr</td><td>Elbow (Jul)</td><td>Oct 2014 (c)<br />
Mar 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ayelen Taribini ARG</td><td>Dislocated Elbow (Sep)</td><td>*May 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Madison Kocian USA</td><td>Wrist surgery (Nov)</td><td>Mar 2015 (c)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Yuna Hiraiwa JPN</td><td>Broken Finger (Sep)</td><td>Apr 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Elisa Meneghini ITA</td><td>Back (Oct)</td><td>Mar 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Aliya Mustafina RUS</td><td>Back (Dec)</td><td>Jun 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>McKayla Maroney USA</td><td>Knee surgery (Feb) + medical</td><td><table id="injury"><tbody>
<tr><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr><td>Jade Barbosa BRA</td><td>Knee surgery (Aug)</td><td>Jun 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Diana Bulimar ROU</td><td>Knee surgery (Aug)</td><td>Mar 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cintia Rodriguez ESP</td><td>Knee surgery (Nov)</td><td>Jul 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Vanasia Bradley USA jr</td><td>Torn ACL & meniscus, broken patella (Jun)</td><td>Jan 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Nadine Jarosch GER</td><td><strike>Torn ACL surgery (2013)</strike><br />
Torn ACL surgery (Jul)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Janine Berger GER</td><td>Torn ACL surgery (Aug)</td><td>Sep 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Maria Paula Vargas ESP</td><td>Torn ACL & partial meniscal tear (Sep)</td><td>Jul 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Laura Longueville FRA</td><td>Torn ACL surgery (Oct)<br />
2nd surgery (Mar '15)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Kristyna Palesova CZE</td><td>Torn ACL, meniscal tear, ligament tear (Nov)</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Roxana Popa ESP</td><td>Torn ACL & meniscus (Dec)</td><td>Oct 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Laurie Hernandez USA jr</td><td><strike>Fractured wrist (Jan)</strike><br />
Torn patellar tendon & dislocated kneecap (Jun)</td><td><br />
Nov 2014 (c)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Maggie Nichols USA</td><td>Dislocated kneecap (Aug)</td><td>Jan 2015 (c)<br />
Mar 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Tyesha Mattis GBR jr</td><td>Ankle (Mar)</td><td>Dec 2014 (c)<br />
Mar 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wendy de Jong NED jr</td><td>Ankle (Jul)</td><td>Mar 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lauren Mitchell AUS</td><td>Ankle (Oct)</td><td>May 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Giulia Steingruber SUI</td><td>Knee bone bruise (Mar)<br />
Ankle ligament sprain + 2 stress fractures (Nov)</td><td>May 2014<br />
Mar 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Gabriella Douglas CAN</td><td>Ankle surgery (Aug)</td><td>Feb 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Rachel Gowey USA</td><td>Ankle break (Aug)</td><td>Nov 2014 (c)<br />
Jul 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Maelys Plessis FRA</td><td>Ankle stress fracture (Sep)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Lexie Priessman USA</td><td><strike>Achilles tendon strain ('13)</strike><br />
Torn fibular ligament (Aug)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Mary-Anne Monckton AUS</td><td>Torn peroneal tendon (Oct)</td><td>Apr 2015 (c)<br />
Jul 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Evgenia Zhukova RUS</td><td>Torn Achilles (Apr)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Valentine Sabatou FRA</td><td>Torn Achilles (Sep)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Francesca Deagostini ITA</td><td>Foot injury/fracture (Jun-Aug)</td><td>Feb 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Elisabeth Seitz GER</td><td>Foot injury (Aug)<br />
Foot surgery (Nov)</td><td>Sep 2014<br />
May 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Giorgia Campana ITA</td><td>Foot injury (Nov)</td><td>Feb 2015</td></tr>
<tr><th><i>Resolved</i></th><th></th><th></th></tr>
<tr><td>Simone Biles USA</td><td>Shoulder (Feb)</td><td>Jul 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Louise Vanhille FRA</td><td>Elbow (Mar)</td><td>Nov 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Alyssa Baumann USA</td><td>Elbow (Aug)</td><td>Sep 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Kyla Ross USA</td><td>Back (Jan)</td><td>Mar 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mariya Livchikova UKR</td><td>Torn ACL (Aug)</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Loan His FRA jr</td><td>Hyperextended knee (Jun)</td><td>Nov 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Carlotta Ferlito ITA</td><td>Calf strain + medical issue (Mar)</td><td>Sep 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sophie Scheder GER</td><td>Sprained ankle + 2 torn ligaments (Mar)</td><td>May 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Maria Paseka RUS</td><td>Sprained ankle (Sep)</td><td>Nov 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ksenia Afanasyeva RUS</td><td>Ankle surgery (Apr)</td><td>Nov 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Viktoria Komova RUS</td><td>Ankle surgery (Apr)</td><td>Aug 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Maria Bondareva RUS jr</td><td>Swollen ligaments in ankle (Apr)</td><td>May 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Rebeca Andrade BRA jr</td><td>Toe injury (Jul)</td><td>Nov 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
2013</h3>
<table id="injury"><tbody>
<tr><th style="width: 200px;">Name (Country)</th><th style="width: 300px;">Injury</th><th style="width: 100px;">Return to Competition</th></tr>
<tr><td>Sabrina Vega USA</td><td>Shoulder surgery</td><td>Nov 2014 (c)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Chantysha Netteb NED</td><td>ACL</td><td>Feb 2015</td></tr>
<tr><th><i>Resolved</i></th><th></th><th></th></tr>
<tr><td>Katelyn Ohashi - USA</td><td>Shoulder surgery + Back</td><td>Jan 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Julie Croket - BEL</td><td>Elbow</td><td>Aug 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sarah Finnegan - USA</td><td>Elbow surgery</td><td>Jan 2015</td></tr>
<tr><td>Enus Mariani jr - ITA</td><td>Back injury (May)</td><td>Nov 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Eythora Thorsdottir - NED jr</td><td>Back</td><td>Oct 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Gabby Jupp - GBR</td><td>Torn ACL at Europeans; surgery</td><td>Aug 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Kim Janas GER jr</td><td>ACL; surgery</td><td>Oct 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lisa Ecker AUT</td><td>R PCL and meniscus</td><td>Aug 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Luo Peiru - CHN</td><td>Achilles & fractured kneecap</td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Céline van Gerner - NED</td><td>Ankle surgery</td><td>Sep 2014</td></tr>
<tr><td>Adrian Gomes - BRA</td><td></td><td><b><span style="color: red;">retirement</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Koko Tsurumi - JPN</td><td>Achilles</td><td>Nov 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-52223228697817749692016-05-30T20:25:00.002-04:002016-05-31T21:12:38.461-04:002016 European Championships WAG Senior Preview<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CdelWepKEtEoLM5RIFAbBeiBaZBxg3k2uiKq_9LoVJrCEay_VXPCmoamwooikwTVlfDpVq7Jvi5XLGGxuq7aLOX8FIepSe7q8dlIcczHZ8DPpBYq8Y4kPfhS51e_rb9yP_VeqsJV32pt/s1600/teaserbreitgross.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CdelWepKEtEoLM5RIFAbBeiBaZBxg3k2uiKq_9LoVJrCEay_VXPCmoamwooikwTVlfDpVq7Jvi5XLGGxuq7aLOX8FIepSe7q8dlIcczHZ8DPpBYq8Y4kPfhS51e_rb9yP_VeqsJV32pt/s400/teaserbreitgross.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
The European Championships will take place from in Bern, Switzerland. It will be held in the Olympic format with 5 athletes on each team. In qualifications and finals, 3 will compete on each event with all 3 scores counting. There will not be an all around competition for the seniors so the primary focus is the team medal, and, of course, trying out new skills on the lead up to the Rio Olympic Games.<br />
(Corrected: Format is not 5-4-3 for seniors, but will be 5-4-3 in quals for juniors)<br />
<br />
The two teams most likely to battle for the title are Russia and Great Britain. The Russian team has new senior and Russian 2016 All Around Champion Angelina Melnikova. Melnikova has been one of the stars as a junior and, thus far, this has transitioned well to her senior career. She is joined by Olympians Ksenia Afanasyeva and Aliya Mustafina and worlds team members Daria Spiridonova and Seda Tutkhalyan. Tutkhalyan was a substitution for injured vaulter Maria Paseka. Her position may change prior to the actual competition.<br />
<br />
This team has many strengths, the top being experience. On vault, they'll have three double twisting Yurchenkos in Afanasyeva, Tutkhalyan, Melnikova. On uneven bars, Russia boasts a great lineup, with Olympic Champion Aliya Mustafina and World Champion Daria Spiridonova. Beam, as always, is where things get interesting for Russia. Melnikova and Mustafina, who has struggled to find a suitable acrobatic series, will most likely do beam. The other spot is open to either Tutkhalyan or Afanasyeva. Though Afanasyeva has not competed beam recently, the veteran has often competed beam in team finals situation for Russia along with making multiple international event finals. Tutkhalyan boasts high difficulty on that event though her consistency leaves her spot in question, a large part of why she was initially not named to the team. Russia will have no problem staying competitive on floor.<br />
<br />
Russia will battle for gold with Great Britain. Team GB will send an entirely veteran team. The good thing is that we don't have to worry about all around performers - Fragapane will not have to compete on uneven bars, this is the way it is listed in the nominative list. On vault, GB has 3 solid DTYs in Claudia Fragapane, Ellie Downie, and Ruby Harrold. Rumor is that Becky Downie has started working vault again and even a serviceable FTY from her or Gabby Jupp, if able, would ease the stress of not having a 4th score in prelims. On uneven bars, GB boasts a great lineup, similar to Russia in capabilities but with a very different routine composition (#shaposh4lyfe). Beam will likely be a toss up between Harrold and Jupp for the 4th spot. While floor exercise will likely consist of everyone but Jupp. This will serve as a great test - international test for Double Downies and Fragapane who's errors cost them placement in event finals at 2015 worlds - and a test for Harrold and Jupp, especially once Tinkler is added back to the possibilities list.<br />
<br />
Rounding out the podium will be difficult to assess. The next few teams from Worlds - Italy, Netherlands, France, and Belgium will not be sending an A-team. Here's what to look for in each of them.<br />
<br />
Italy will be without their F trio - Ferrari, Ferlito, Fasana. Their team consists of Enus Mariani, Elisa Meneghini, Lara Mori, Martina Rizzelli, and Sofia Busato. Sofia Busato is a first year senior that has been dealing with injuries for quite sometime. As a junior, she had a lovely floor exercise that started with an intricate headstand double stag pose. She hasn't competed much but vault so look for her to compete a solid DTY and floor. It will be important to see how the Mariani, Meneghini, and Rizzelli fare on UB. Rizzelli boasts a DTY which be useful for Team Italy in Rio but as one of the strongest uneven bar workers, she would need to show good execution and consistency to keep herself in contention. Mariani and Meneghini are fighting for much the same UB/BB spot and seem to switch competition to competition in terms of rank so look to see who hits and makes any event finals. (Note: On the initial start list, Meneghini is not listed on UB but this may change with the addition of Busato in place of Erika Fasana.) Lara Mori has a strong all around score but a strong performance on uneven bars and floor would be crucial for her.<br />
<br />
France's team is middle of the road. Look for strong performances from Boyer, Brevet, and His, particularly on uneven bars and balance beam. Allison Lepin is replacing Louise Vanhille so look to see where she can hit as she has not competed much in 2016.<br />
<br />
Like some of the teams mentioned before, Belgium is not sending an A-team. They recently competed at the Test Event and are using the European Championship as a chance to test out other athletes. Nina Derwael is recovering from a hand injury so how she performs on bars will be crucial.<br />
<br />
The Netherlands is not sending any athletes in contention for an Olympic spot (though with Top down with an ACL tear, this may change). Tisha Volleman competed at the American Cup earlier this year. Mara Titarsolej is a very even all arounder and capable of 55+. Watch her on balance beam and floor exercise.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_PDd5OliV_79yNZesrjL_lV_nNVd4bkd3h58Jz_vMhjdyf-FlmaNWt600r5yYdyC8sforhJ0Nhfrf0fgJk5VEew3lHzucNh7yzoKBgtlQXC2zLeZ6QSLczUf3BmB05OqtvsenKtbaODc/s1600/d_11475_800_600_90.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_PDd5OliV_79yNZesrjL_lV_nNVd4bkd3h58Jz_vMhjdyf-FlmaNWt600r5yYdyC8sforhJ0Nhfrf0fgJk5VEew3lHzucNh7yzoKBgtlQXC2zLeZ6QSLczUf3BmB05OqtvsenKtbaODc/s320/d_11475_800_600_90.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Germany's team will be led by Kim Bui who recently returned from ACL tear. Look for a strong all around performance from her and a possible uneven bar event final.<br />
<br />
Americans Kylie Dickson and Alaina Kwan will be joining Belarusian teammates at Euros. This includes Sviatlana Lifenka and first-year senior Dziyana Hramko. Dickson earned the Olympic spot at the Test Event so look for improvements on all events from her.<br />
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Switzerland just missed out on a shot at sending a team for the Olympics. Look for them to fight for a spot in team finals and possibly on the podium. Led by Giulia Steingruber, look for her to make vault and floor finals with a possible medal in either... or both Also look for Ilaria Kaeslin on balance beam and floor exercise.<br />
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Spain's team will include future Olympian Ana Perez. A favorite of mine is Cintia Rodriguez who is known for her beautiful lines. Look for her to possibly compete her original skill - a stalder full shoot to the high bar. She has also worked a double Y turn on beam.<br />
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Greece will be led by veteran Vasiliki Millousi. Watch for a spectacular beam performance from her but also look out for Argyro Afrati who is more than ready to take the lead, especially in the all around.<br />
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Hungary has a powerful trio of gymnasts but only one could be named to the Olympic Games. At the moment, it seems that spot will go to Zsofia Kovacs who had a higher placement at the Test Event. However, watch for strong performances from Noemi Makra, particularly on uneven bars, and veteran Dorina Boczogo on beam and floor.<br />
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I wrote this entire thing and then realized I left out Romania. Romania still has not named their Olympian so keep your eyes open. Of the athletes going to Bern, Ponor seems to be highest in the ranking to go to Rio. Watch all her performances closely. We'll see if she debuts bars for the first time in nearly 8 years. We'll also see if she competes her piked full in dismount off beam and her full twisting double layout on floor. She's also been training a DTY again so we'll see if she shows that. Ocolisan is basically next in line to look to see where she ranks in the hypothetical all around (if she competes all 4). (Corrected: Bulimar will not be competing due to Achilles tear.)<br />
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<b>Who are you most excited to see compete?</b>Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-81911418735870749572016-05-18T20:48:00.001-04:002016-05-18T20:48:11.482-04:00Precision Choreography Unveils New Features<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0MAMqYDGxRCDhbCgVA8Z8mNEoO3nP82Ln2CLJFW1jy68da-pk_VJqDNhHJIFbjwBjxhO484NboZmCb48zVj4qcxvJccDHQnC41PgjN2Vf0mcddrWvKtj87EMCpdTz7NaZYJKnnxCdI3P/s1600/3a4b04_158525c8080b48909fbf17f6ee9eb53c.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0MAMqYDGxRCDhbCgVA8Z8mNEoO3nP82Ln2CLJFW1jy68da-pk_VJqDNhHJIFbjwBjxhO484NboZmCb48zVj4qcxvJccDHQnC41PgjN2Vf0mcddrWvKtj87EMCpdTz7NaZYJKnnxCdI3P/s400/3a4b04_158525c8080b48909fbf17f6ee9eb53c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Precision Choreography, the group responsible for post-2012 Olympic Kyla Ross artistry training and the floor routine for Armenian-American (future) Olympic gymnast Houry Gebeshian, has two new features to add to it's already amazing services. One service allows athletes to submit videos of skills and get feedback from Olympic and World medalists. The second service allows athletes and families to gain insight into the world of judging for the purpose of optimizing routines. Read more about the two features below based on recent press release.<br />
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Precision Choreography LLC announces the launch of its new
division, PRECISION CRITIQUES, offering 2 innovative ways for athletes and
coaches to achieve their goals: <b>VEEP!</b> (Video Evaluation by Elite Professionals)
and MyGymJudge. VEEP! allows gymnasts and coaches to submit videos of
skills-in-progress and receive custom video feedback by some of the best in the
world. VEEP! consultants include World Vault and Floor Champion, Alicia
Sacramone (Quinn), World Bars Champion, Hollie Vise (Naddour), and
Gymnastics Legend, Betty Okino, among others. MyGymJudge provides
athletes with the opportunity to submit full routines for written feedback from
actual USAG judges. As an added bonus, Precision’s choreography team also
chimes in with pointers on increasing artistry for all submitted beam and floor routines.<br />
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“I am so excited to be a part of a program that allows me to reach gymnasts all
around the world and help them follow their dreams,” states Vise. “We truly
believe these services will play a large roll in pursuing our mission of ‘raising the
level of excellence in gymnastics via technical, philosophical, and artistic routes,’”
says Precision founder and Olympic choreographer, Nicole Langevin, who is sure
VEEP! will excite a technologically-saavy generation of gymnasts. “Back in the
day, an autograph from your idol was the most exciting way you could connect
with your heroes. With today’s technology, we are able to give athletes so much
more,” she continues.<br />
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Precision has broken the 4th wall with the unveiling of <b>MyGymJudge</b>. With this
service, gymnasts, coaches, and parents have the opportunity to become
educated on the ins-and-outs of the scoring system. “How often do you finish a
meet and think, ‘I wish I knew what the judges’ deductions were...’” says Okino,
1992 Olympian and USAG official. “Well, this is that opportunity!” she adds.
“When it comes down to it,” says Langevin, also a USAG official, “judges love
gymnastics and love nothing more than to have the opportunity to judge great
gymnastics. It only makes sense that we want to help improve the quality of the routines.<br />
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Precision Professionals travel world-wide for choreography, clinics, consultations,
training camps, and speaking engagements. Their subdivisions include a music
department, Precision Compositions, and training plan creation, Precision
Complexes. All Precision Professionals are USA Gymnastics Safety Certified and
maintain the highest standards through continuing education.<br />
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VEEP! and MyGymJudge can be accessed directly at <a href="http://www.precisioncritiques.com/">precisioncritiques.com</a>. For more information on Precision, visit the company’s website at <a href="http://precisionchoreo.com/">precisionchoreo.com</a>.Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-48143315147894948932016-05-13T20:32:00.001-04:002016-05-13T20:32:41.287-04:00Gym-Richelieu: Victoria-Kayen & Rose-Kaying Woo <div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DoRzoonyHGM3w_sLPsWxjumFNxU8aZSdOKzwxkGyPu9fhfIIojphBNCmEd8F2K22or8iVwB7kd8duLUPtv__3Tg2hqZkY6SM74vmRtEJVWAFhoy7mDlU7YKdhcxyJVx7r1yWeMCYN7Ly/s1600/vicrose.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DoRzoonyHGM3w_sLPsWxjumFNxU8aZSdOKzwxkGyPu9fhfIIojphBNCmEd8F2K22or8iVwB7kd8duLUPtv__3Tg2hqZkY6SM74vmRtEJVWAFhoy7mDlU7YKdhcxyJVx7r1yWeMCYN7Ly/s400/vicrose.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Victoria-Kayen Woo and Rose Kaying Woo</span></div>
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Excited to share the story of Canadian gymnasts and Olympic hopeful sisters Victoria and Rose Woo!<br />
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Victoria is a 2-time member of Canada's World Championship team in both 2014 and 2015. Most recently, she helped Team Canada to a 6th place finish that earned them a team berth to the 2016 Rio Olympics. She competed at the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games where Canada finished in 2nd place and Victoria earned the bronze medal on beam. Rose is a new senior who recently earned a bronze medal on beam at the Osijek Challenge Cup and 4th on uneven bars and balance beam. As a junior, she was 1st in the all around at Elite Canada and International Gymnix in 2015.<br />
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Both gymnasts are working hard to qualify to the upcoming Olympic Games. In the interview, they talk about how they got started in gymnastics, injuries, and their hopes for the future. There’s also an upgrade in there I think you’ll be pretty excited about.<br />
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I would like to thank the gymnasts, their coaches, family, and those at Gym-Richelieu for making this interview possible. I would also like to give great thanks to Alexandra Leask for the video productions and editing.</div>
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This is Arabian Punch Front's first video interview so let me know what you think. Like and comment!</div>
<br />Arabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.com14