Gymnast of the Day: Great Britain's Claudia Fragapane

  So, I noticed I hadn't done a "Gymnast of the Day" post. So lets do one on rising talent, Claudia Fragapane of Great Britain. She is a great talent. Lets give you some background information on this Rising Star.

    Claudia got her start to gymnastics like everyone we know did, bouncing around on the furniture, and her mother ultimately put her in a gymnastics class, so thats the story of how she got involved, lets survey her junior career next.

   The first competition Claudia competed in as an elite was the 2011 Junior English National Championships where she placed fourth on vault and floor, and fifth in the all-around. At the British National Championships, she won the bronze on vault, placed sixth on the floor and eighth in the all-around, now as both you and I know, this is not the Claudia that we saw at the 2014 Commonwealths. But hang on, I'm getting there. Next in her junior career, Fragapane made her International Debut at a competition called the Coupe Avenir in France. There Claudia won the gold in the team and the vault. See? Thats our Claudia. 

   Claudia became a senior in 2013. But injuries kept Claudia out for most of the competitive season. This meant that Claudia was forced to miss her first senior English and British Championships. But she recovered well enough to make the team for the Elite Gym Massila that happened in November. In the Master Team Division, Claudia and the British Team came in second on vault and floor and third in the all around and on bars, as well as placing sixth on the balance beam. This was a good competition for Claudia, especially for the fact that it was her first competition after an injury.

   After a few competitions, the meet came, the meet that would make Claudia known across the world. It was the 2014 Commonwealth Games.  Claudia and Team England/Great Britain would go on to win the team gold, and individually, Claudia would win all-around gold, vault gold, and floor gold. Making her the most decorated gymnast at the Commonwealths. It was so amazing to see Claudia have mass success at a competiion. She had an injury and was out for most of 2013, I think she really made her senior debut here, and not in 2013 at the Elite Gym Massila. Claudia did make the World Team, and the all around, but did not place on the medal podium. One day, I would like to see her do so. But she did manage to placing sixth with the team, but qualifying in the second seated group, a first for Great Britain.

   So that is the Claudia Fragapane piece. I look forward to seeing Claudia at upcoming meets and seeing how she will place.

Claudia Fragapane with all her Gold Medals From Commonwealths.

  

Gymnastics Fun Facts!

Hi guys, so I decided that, for the first post of the year, that I should do a "Fun Fact" Post. Where I will share some fun facts, I learned over the years

Simone Biles Is Just Behind Shannon Miller For Most World Medals- So Simone has been a senior gymnast for just two years, and she is already right behind Shannon Miller for most medals won at Worlds. And lets face it, Simone will probably have more than her after Worlds next year, because Simone has already won two consecutive All-Around Titles, she has also defended her silver medal on vault twice, she has also won to  consecutive Floor Titles, and lets not forget, she won the beam and team golds this year.

Before Winning The Team Gold in Nanning, Team USA had only won World Gold the Year Before the Olympics- If you are an avid gymnastics fan, you would know that before the girls won team gold in Nanning, Team USA had only won World Team Gold the Year Before the Olympics. 2003, 2007, and 2011. That gave Team USA a reputation. But because team USA is so very strong at this point in time, we were able to sweep the gold medal in the Team Finals.

When Team USA Won the Gold in the Team Finals, Team USA defended their title from 2011- Not only did the Nanning Team set a record for the USA, But because of them, Team USA was able to uphold their title from the Tokyo Worlds three years before.

Yao Jinnan Is Changing Her Last Name To Ziyi- If you heard that China's Yao Jinnan is changing her last name, you heard right. But do you know why? Yao Jinnan is changing her name to Yao Ziyi because Jinnan translates to "Gold is Difficult to Get" and for any athlete, that is a bad sign, no one wants a last name like that!!!!! But to be honest, I will miss the name Yao Jinnan,, it had a nice ring to it. But I guess I'll have to get used to calling her Yao Ziyi.

   I hope you enjoyed my first post of 2015, I also hope that you have a great year.

My Personal Favorite Moments of Nanning 2014

So for my second post of the year, I will write about 2014's World Championships

The USA Team Wins Gold- Team USA has won numerous world titles, everyone knows that. But it has always been the year before the Games. Think about it. 2003, 2007, and 2011. But as we know, the Summer Olympics arent in 2015, they are in 2016.  So this is a first. It was probably because we had such a dominant team. And, winning by such a majority too. This was definitely a highlight for me. For those Chinese/Russian Stans who are reading, its probably not, but this is my blog and my opinion afterall.

Simone Biles and the Bee- If you watched the AA this year, you were sure to see it. I did. It was hillarious. Simone was accepting her gold medal and her boquet of flowers, and she saw that there was a bee in it!!! Thats right a bee! Simone dropped her boquet and started to run around the podium and soon teammate Kyla Ross dropped hers and started doing the same. It was quite an event that soon went viral shortly after the medal ceremony ended. People started posting videos on Instagram, people uploaded the video in case you didn't want to watch the whole AA. It was quite the event, the event that made me spit out my water out of hilarity. I will never forget "Simone and the Bee"

Kyla Ross Wins Bronze- If you are an avid gymnastics/Kyla fan, you would know that she suffered a hip injury, and she couldn't do all her skills, which was a pity because Kyla had already had watered-down routines, and this meant that she had to water them down even more. This was bad news for Kyla, the defending World AA Silver Medalist, and she knew it. She managed to help Team USA win gold a night or two before, but she knew that it would be difficult for her to claim a medal AA. Floor came, and she watched Larisa Iordache claim silver. But luckily for her, Musty had a few mistakes and she was able to eek into the bronze medal.  This was definitely a highlight for me, because just like my personal hero, Aly Raisman was like 2010-2012, Kyla was always considered second best, I was glad she could eek out a bronze in the AA this year. It just made me happy

Romania Ends Up Placing Fourth After a Rough Qualifying- So if you saw Romania's qualifying, you would know it was anything but pleasant. They had numerous mistakes, which placed them in 7th, which means the floor rotation first. This is usually where dreams of placing high go to die. But with Larisa Iordache's help, the Romanian team was able to finish just outside the medals, behind the bronze medal winning team, Russia. Now we all know that fourth place is a sucky place to be in, but at the same time, Team Romania has to be proud of bouncing back from such a disappointing qualifying round. They had to be proud that they proved themselves.

Yao Jinnan Redeems Herself- So as we know, Yao is changing her last name from Jinnan to Ziyi. But do you know why? Because translated, her name means "Gold is Hard To Get". But, does she really need the name change? Yao walked into the arena in Nanning determined to get on the podium, because as we know, she did not win the gold last year because she fell on her Mo Salto, an incredibly hard skill, which to be honest, I miss. But it was a wise move on Yao's part because she wanted to win the gold, and she knew that the Mo Salto was risky. And ultimately, it paid off. As we know, Yao Jinnan ended up winning hte gold medal on bars, although some thought it wasn't deserved, and neither did Yao, and to be honest, neither did I, but thats how gymnastics works. The judges decide, and this time, Yao got the gold. I love Yao, but Huang had the cleaner set. But Yao got the gold, and we have to say, she deserved it, because she worked just as hard as her teammate, Huang Huidan.

  So there you go! There were, in my opinion, the greatest moments of Nanning 2014.

Editing Apps-

   So in addition to being a blogger, another part of being an avid gymnastics fan, for me at least, is gymnastics editing. I LOVE EDITING!!!!!!!!!!!! Its such a fun activity to do on your off time. All these apps are for BOTH for the iPad and iPhone! So if you want to start editing, I will list some apps as well as some edit helpers on Instagram, people who make great edits and can help beginners. So here you are

APPS:

Phonto- Used for fonts/captioning, great app. Many different fonts. You can even download some yourself.

PhotoStudioHD- Great app for filters. It does cost $5 dollars, but it is so worth it. My personal favorite filter is colored pencil. It actually makes it look artistic.

IT

Afterlight- A SUPER APP FOR FILTERING. But what I use is what they call "Instant Film" it does cost cash, 99 cents exactly, but if you like to round up, or if your parents do, then yah, its a buck, but its a buck welll spent.

SuperImpose- A great app for blending! It is a little complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it, you just soar. I willl list some Instagram accounts that can help you.

Line Brush- Just a really fun app for blurring stuff, and making the edits cartoon.

Space Effect- A great app for filters

PS  Express- A great app to sharpen your edits and  this has some filters as well.

Sketch- Makes your edits seem like they were hand-drawn

Edit Help Accounts on Instagram

@doubletwistingdoublelayout

@chalkytigerpaws

@editseminars

@comeneci.salto

@5567a

The 2014-15 Senior National Team

Hi guys, as you know the senior team has been announced! I will also be doing a post on the Junior Team, but this senior team is just so exciting I had to do them first! In case you've had your head in a box for the last month or so......... I'll give you the team in full!

Alyssa Baumann

Club: WOGA

Simone Biles

Club: World Champions Centre

Madison Desch

Club: Great American Gymn. Express

Gabby Douglas

Club: Buckeye Gymnastics

Brenna Dowell

Club: Great American Gymn. Express

Rachel Gowey

Club: Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute

Felicia Hano

Club: Gym-Max Gymnastics

Amelia Hundley

Club: Cincinatti Gymnastics

Madison Kocian

Club: WOGA Gymnastics

Ashton Locklear

Club: Everest Gymnastics

Maggie Nichols

Club: Twin City Twisters 

Aly  Raisman

Club: Brestyan's American Gymnastics

Kyla Ross

Club: Gym-Max Gymnastics

MyKayla Skinner

Club: Desert Lights Gymnastics

   So, didn't I tell you that the team is amazing? I mean just look at the depth! You got Aly Baumann, who is great on bars and beam, two of the hardest events! Then you have 9-Time World Medalist Simone Biles (6 of which, I may add, are gold medals!) Next you have Madison Desch, who is solid AA. And then there's Gabby Douglas. THE OLYMPIC ALL AROUND CHAMPION. Then Brenna Dowell who has the most insane bar routine in the entire world, who reminds you of British Great, Beth Tweddle. Then you have Rachel Gowey, fresh back, ready to attack. Did you see her podium training beam at Nats before she broke her ankle? Two syllables: Ep-Ic! Not to mention her performance at Classics after vault..... But she did perform an AMANAR! Then you have Felicia, one of my personal favorites, great all around, under the tutelege of Kyla Ross! And not to mention one of my favorite coaches in the World, right there next to Chow and Geddert, Jenny and Howie Liang! Then you have Amelia Hundley, who has been on the map since 2012. Olympic Year, and was therefore, one of the contenders. You also have Madison Kocian solid all-arounder, who unfortunately we have not seen in the all around because of an injury....... but she is a great all arounder, and an even greater bars and beam worker! Speaking of amazing bar workers, you have Ashton Locklear, the girl who placed 4th in the bars finals last year at Nanning Worlds! Doing so, she's placed higher at Worlds Bars Finals than anyone I've known in the last quadrinium...... (Nastia Liukin in 05,06, and 07, but like I said, last quadrinium.)  Then You have Maggie Nichols, a solid gymnast who I have considered a contender for a while now. What A dynamic floor! And now I am getting excited..... ALY RAISMAN IS BACK Y'ALL AND SHE'S ON THE NATIONAL TEAM! THREE TIME OLYMPIC MEDALIST, TWO OF THEM GOLD! With her dynamic floor, Aly is sure to contribute and scoop up a bunch of International assignments. Aly's back and I am so excited!!!! YAY! Aly is a true team captain and a team player. She can totally rock this comeback, and she can totally be the team captain of any team she's on. National Competition or International, Aly's always solid. I fully expect Aly to make the Worlds Team. Then you have the THIRD Olympian on the National Team. Thats right, Marta has stacked her National Team with Olympians! Kyla Ross, the gil who never quit after London is still holding steady. She grabbed the bronze medal in the all around in Nanning along with the gold with the team. You also have MyKayla Skinner, team gold medalist and brozne medalist in vault at the Nanning Worlds. MyKayla has solid routines on beam and bars, bars being the weaker of the two for her. But MyKayla has a Cheng Vault! And a dynamic floor routien chock-full of hard tumbling to match the beautiful Cheng!

  So see why I was so excited about this National Team? So much depth. You have 10 girls who have been to a Worlds competition at one point. Then you also have 3 Olympians, and some great new girls who are craving Worlds! I fully expect Rachel to be a significant contender for Worlds in 2015. This team totally excites me and I cant wait to see them at competitions!

Is ABC's show "Make It Or Break It" totally unrealistic?

So the first time I saw ABC's "Make It Or Break It" I was only first getting into gymanstics. I watched it back in 2010, and I didn't get into gymanstics until 2011, but now, as I watch this, and as I have watched gymnastics competitions dating back to 1992, I have discovered how totally unrealistic the show is. Don't get me wrong, it is a great show. In seasons one and two, you got 4 girls on the road to Olympic success, with a few others. Your four main characters are:

Kaylie Cruz- Rich girl who is known for the personality she puts in her routines, considered a girl who plays to the crowd, her father and mother always get her endorsements

Lauren Tanner- The girl who always comes in third, and is threatened by new girl Emily.

Emily Kmetko- New girl, threatens status quo, and is not  a rule follower

Payson Keeler- Perhaps the most determined girl, wont let anything get in her way.

   And then you have Jordan in season 3, the runt, but has great tumbling.

     But like it says in the post title, I will be writing about how unrealistic Make it Or Break It is.

1. The beam is like 10 inches wide

2. They go floor, beam,vault, bars. Even if you don't start on vault in a real gymnastics competition, there is no way that you cann rotate like that.

3. Jordan in Season 3 does a triple flip off bars.

4. The tumbling is way to easy for senior elite gymnastics

   I know this sounds stingy........ but its true, Make It Or Break It isnt that accurate, but besides that, tis a great show.

Who has a Shot of turning the top four, into the top five?

As long as we can remember, it has been the Top Four. USA, Russia, Romania, and China. But, could there be a fifth? A fifth top dog in the sport? After reading a few articles, I stumbled on a poll. Which said:

Which country do you think has the best chance of turning the big four into the big five? 

I took a screenshot of the poll and these are the results as of 2:02 today.

   As you can see, the canidates are Italy with 7 votes, France withU  0 (Poor France), Spain with 3, Belgium with 0, Brazil with 0, Canada with 9, Australia with 0, Great Britain with 20, Japan with 0, Netherlands with 0, and Germany with 1. As I have some extra time in 5 period, and lunch afterwards, allow me to evaluate each of these teams.

Italy- Honestly, I am surprised that Italy got this many votes. I do think that Italy is capable of being in every team finals at International Competitions, and are capable of getting gymnasts in every event final,  but I don't think that Italy is capable of being the country that turns the Big Four into the Big Five. Not yet anyway. 

   France- I was astounded that France is on the list........... They are great, artistic gymnasts, but they haven't had a winning competition for as long as I can remember. Although looking at French competitions, they do have a promising batch of juniors, as well as some great seniors. But right now, with their low difficulty, I just dont see how they can compete with the Big Four.

  

  Spain-  Honestly, I don't know why Spain is on here. They haven't sent a full team to the Worlds/Olympics in ages. Although some of their athletes are promising, such as Roxana Popa Nedelcu who qualified into the 2nd seated group at the Antwerp Worlds back in 2013 and did quite well. But like I said, they haven't sent a full team in ages, and I dont think they can before Rio, or even Tokyo.

   Canada- I can actually see Canada becoming a threat for turning the top four into the top five, they have girls who can contribute to all four events. They even have a few all-around athletes, such as Victoria Moors, and a few specialists. Canada's Victoria Moors brought pride to Canada at the 2013 Worlds when she got the double twisting double layout named after her. If Victoria retires before Rio, I think that Canada would have to work pretty hard to stay the way they are. After all, Victoria Moors was a detromental part of getting Canada  into the team finals back in 2012, and having Canada place 5th over all.

   Australia- Australia does have a few promising athletes, but with Lauren Mitchell retired, it will be difficult for Australia to be considered a significant threat come the time for the Big Four into the Big Five. But, it could happen.

Great Britain- Great Britain. As you see on the photo, 20 people think that GB is the team to beat. And I have to agree. Great Britain placed in the second seated group at the Nanning Worlds back in October! WOW! Great Britain is the team to beat. Great Britain is a dynamic team, and I think with all the gymnasts they have right now, and all the gymnasts who will turn senior before the Olympics, they will be a HUGE HUGE HUGE threat. 

Japan- Japan has some great athletes coming into this, such as Koko Tsurumi, and my personal favorite Japanese athlete, Natsumi Sasada

Netherlands- I've only seen one athlete come out from Netherlands on the Worlds- Stage, and she blew her knee out in 2013 in the vault finals. I've only ever seen one gymnast from the Netherlrands, I doubt they will send a team in full.

Germany- Some promising athletes from Germany. Such as Elizabeth Seitz. I would love to see them in Team Finals at a Worlds/Olympics, but I don't think they can transform the top four into the top Five.

    After breaking down the teams, I think that GB has the best shot. Their program has improved so much, and they are getting tons of amazing new gymnasts every year. This is a great team, and I think that they could make amazing strides come Rio, and will be considered part of the soon to be 'Big Five"

Thanks to http://wagymnastics.wikia.com/wiki/Gymnastics_Wiki for the poll