Friday, January 23, 2015
Yao Jinnan: After Worlds 2014, Does she really need the name change?
I have talked a lot about Chinese great, Yao Jinnan, gettign her name changed. If you have been a long time reader, you know that translated from Chinese, Jinnan means "Gold is difficult to get" and as I said in my other articles, that is the name that NO athlete, gymnast or otherwise, wants to get. But when Yao performed her uneven bars routine in the finals, minus the Mo/Gaylord salto, a routine that would win the gold medal, a new question was brought up: Does Yao really need to change her name from Jinnan to Ziyi? Well, it is not the gymnastics fan's decision, unfortunately, it is Yao's. So wait till Worlds to see if Yao makes her name change official (That is if you're not into watching Chinese gymnastics competitions like I am.) After Yao winning the gold medal in Nanning, I dont think she needs to change her name, because that is the name that ALL gym fans know her, and love her by. I dont think that a simple name change will change the gymnast you are. Determination and hard work will. And she knows it.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
What Do I Think Of: Nia Dennis
So guys, I think I pretty much flunked my math test, and instead of self destructing and sobbing in front of everyone in my English Class, I thought I would write about gymnastics, to calm myself down. I will probably be doing a few "What Do I Think Of" in the next couple hours. I have barely typed a paragraph, and I am already feeling better.
So, what do I think of Nia Dennis? I think that she is an amazing gymnast and I am looking forward to 2015, and her first year as a senior. I love Nia. I was amazed when she stuck that Double Arabian on night two and put an exclamation point on her peformance. Nothing says "Great Performance" like a stuck double arabian on your last rotation, and with that stuck double arabian, and many more stuck passes, it was no surprise that she was National Champ on that event. Nia is a true powerhouse. She is going to be great, and I think when she debuts as a senior, she can be in second next to Simone Biles and before Kyla Ross. I cannot wait for Nationals because thats where Nia will introduce herself to the world.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Rewatching the 2014 Floor Finals
Hello guys: The homework is pretty tame today, I just finished my Etymology Homework, so I figured, why not write about the competition I was watching at lunch today? Which was the 2014 Floor Finals
The field was monster strong, including defending champ Simone Biles, who was just coming off of the buzz of winning titles in the team, all-around, and beam competitions. Simone could call herself champion in three areas, could she defend her title on floor? With the depth of the field, it seemed like it would be harder than the year before.
First up was Great Britain's new threat, Claudia Fragapane, she was going for a really hard pass, a full twisting double layout: Now as we know, difficult passes pay off if they go well, if you land the skill, but if you don't, its not worth it because it'll deduct you a point from your score, and unfortunately, the full twisting double layout did not pay off for Claudia, for the floor was just a little too springy, and she ended up on her stomach, but Claudia got up and delivered her routine like a true champ. She did her backspin and everything (Which looks monster cool). Besides the fall, Claudia had a routine that could contend for a spot on the podium, but a fall is a fall, and did its damage: Claudia ended up recieving a score of 13.100. Unfortunately, this meant finishing in 8th place. But I fully expect Claudia to do better next year
Next was Larisa Iordache, any gymnastics fan knows this girl. Unfortunately, Larisa fell in the beam finals, and ended up in 8th, and even though she didn't need to prove that she is truly great to us, and that beam finals was a fluke, she felt as if she needed to. And let me just say, she did. She captivated me with her amazing routine filled with amazing tumbling and beautiful dance. Larisa's great floor proved to everyone, especially me, that beam finals wasn't the norm. I had to rewind the floor routine because I wanted to watch it again and again. Larisa scored a score of 14.800. This would secure Larisa a silver medal on this event.
After I watched Larisa's floor over and over again, I moved onto Simone Biles. I knew when she saluted and hit her opening pose, that this was going to be a great routine. And I was right. Simone was clean on all her passes, landing with the chest upright, something most of the field struggled to do. Her move, the Biles, which is a double layout with a half twist, was executed perfectly, as usual, and the rest of her routine packed with hard tumbling and dance tailored especially for her, was astonishing. It was a great routine, and she would take the lead after that, with a score of 15.333. Simone was able to defend her gold medal in both the all-around, and the floor final.
Next was Vanessa Ferrari, the definition of the word veteran. Vanessa Ferrari had a really mature floor routine, which was perfect for her because Vanessa has so much experience. In addition to having such mature choreography, we saw that Vanessa had great tumbling including a double twisting double back, executed nicely as always. And even though her chest was down on some of the landings, it was a great routine, worthy of a score of 14.666, and a 5th place spot.
After Vanessa, MyKayla Skinner was next. She delivered a routine packed full of tumbling, including a double twisting double layout, and a double twisting double tuck. Those are two insanely hard moves to put together in one routine. After she had saluted, she ran down the stairs to hug her coach, and then Simone Biles screamed and gave her one of her renowned monster bear hugs. Even though MyKayla had easy turns, it was great tumbling that made up for it. In my opinion, MyKayla really cleaned up her form since last year. For the time, MyKayla had a bronze medal, with a score of 14.700, but another gymnast would come and take it.
Then it was Larrissa Miller of Australia. Larrissa has a very clean routine, but not a difficult one. Her turns and leaps were very nice, but she along with her coaches knew because of the low difficulty it could not contend for a spot on the podium, Larrissa ended up finishing in sixth place with a score of 14.233.
Next was Italy's Erika Fasana, who had a solid routine, but not as great as her teammate's or any other of the top three girls, Erika had good tumbling as well as dance, a good routine fitted for her, but not to contend for the medal podium, but I could tell that Erika was satisfied by the fact that she got a chance to compete in the floor exercise finals.
And last up was Aliya Mustafina. Aliya delivered an amazing routine with great tumbling and dance, not to mention the turns. This was a great routine for Aliya, and what was even greater was the expression on her face when she won the bronze medal: It was like no other. She was so excited because she had had a rough championships so far. And even though MyKayla was devastated because she lost out on the 3rd place spot by just 3/10 of a point, it was amazing to see the olook on Mustafina's face knowing that she didn't miss an element like she did in the beam finals. I was proud of Musty, and was glad she could get this opportunity to stand on the podium
The Floor Finals were exciting in 2014, and I am looking forward to seeing 2015's.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Rewatching: 2011 Worlds
So I found a comfy, secluded space to sit at at school...... It was so great. So I watched Worlds 2011. Some highlights for me were:
1. The Cutthroat Battle between Jordyn and Viktoria for the all-around-
I loved watching the cutthroat battle between Jordyn Wieber and Viktoria Komova in the all-around, Jordyn had after the vault rotation, but after Jordyn making a mistake, Viktoria felt the glory of first place. But Jordyn came back monster strong on beam, and Viktoria had a great set. It all came down to floor, and Jordyn had delivered a stellar routine. Viktoria needed a score in the mid 15s to take it, it was COMPLETELY possible. But after a dropped turn here, a stumble on a pass there, Jordyn took it by only three hundreths of a point! So it ended up being Jordyn in first and Viktoria in second.
2. Aly Becomes Team Leader
After Alicia Sacramone tore her Achilles, someone had to take the leadership role, and it seemed fit that Aly took it, since she was the only other girl on the World Team who had been on the Worlds stage before. Aly kept her team solid throughout, and gave a speech to McKayla and Jordyn, who were set to go on floor on the last rotation. It seemed to have worked, because McKayla and Jordyn went out and rocked their sets, along with Aly, and got the gold with a dominating lead. This is the reason why Aly was chosen as the team leader in London.
3. McKayla Maroney Wins Vault Gold-
McKayla proved herself to the World as the best vaulter when she vaulted herself to gold in the Finals. She did amazingly well. Scoring in the high fifteens for each vault. McKayla proved herself after she beat Legend Oksana Chusovitina. It was a great Vault Finals, and McKayla walked away champion.
4. Viktoria Komova wins Bars Gold
It was no secret that Viktoria had a disappointing Worlds before the bars finals, but she finally managed to cease the gold when she had an amazing bars routine tha clenched the medal. I loved that Viktoria could deem herself World Champion, because she certainly deserved it.
5 Russia was able to get on the Podium despite loss of Mustafina
Russia lost their 2010 World Champion, Aliya Mustafina. Aliya tore her ACL competing an Amanar Vault. That meant that she would not make the Tokyo Team. The Russian girls went in nervously, especially since most of the team members were new seniors. The Russians were not able to defend their team title from the year before, but they were able to win a silver medal.
So those were my top five highlights from 2011's Worlds.
Talking About The Olympics
The Gymnastics Olympics---- A pleasure we only get every four years. When one ends, gym fans across the world start thinking and planning the next one. Its just the way it works. The Olympics is the biggest competition in any sport, not just gymnastics, but since this is a gymnastics blog, lets talk about the Gymnastic Olympics. So, as I said before, all gymnastics fans plan teams. As I am still looking at prospects for my team, I am not going to release my team just yet. I am excited for Rio. The Olympics will be amazing because so many amazing juniors worldwide are turning senior either this year or in 2016. And lets not forget gymnasts like Simone Biles, who has been a GIGANTIC force since her senior debut in 2013. I am so looking forward to Rio, and I can hardly wait. Even though I can not go to Rio because I have overprotective parents, I will be watching every moment and be blogging while I do. So gym fans everywhere, be prepared for an amazing Olympic Year.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Juniors That Are Age Eligible For Rio
Russia's Angelina Melnikova- Angelina is a great gymnast. She is great on all four of the events. I fully anticipate Angelina to be in every all-around in every International Assignment, and since she is age eligible for Rio, I can see her being one of the two of the Russians who get into the all around, because lets face it, Russia definitely gets two girls in the all-around. Melnikova turns senior just in Time For Rio.
Great Britain's Catherine Lyons- Catherine is the new Beth Tweddle on uneven bars. I love Catherine because of how beautiful her set it. SHE'S TRAINING A DEF! A DEF! At Junior Elite, Catherine is training a Def! Catherine is great on bars, and all-around as well. I cannot wait until she turns senior, which is in 2016.
USA's Christina Desiderio- Christina is one of my favorite junior gymnasts. She is so good, she is training a triple on vault (Thats why you follow gymnasts on Instagram) But don't tell her you heard it from me. She is a great all-arounder, and I am excited to see her for Rio. She is also a Parkette Soldier, and the Parkette gym produces great athetes who have made it as far as Olympic Alternate. I am excited to see what Bill and Donna do with her. Christina turns senior in 2016.
Russia's Daria Skrypnik- Daria is a great athlete. She sweeped the competition at the 2013 Russian Hopes, winning the AA, UB, BB, and FX competitions. Since UB and FX are two separate disciplines, so to speak, this proves that Daria can do any event, and contribute on any apparatus. Daria can be a true threat for the all-around at the Olympics. She turns senior in 2016.
Russia's Ekaterina Sokova- Ekanterina is a great all-around athlete. She is also great on beam,, she has great lines and the perfect Russian style. She is a great athlete on all the events, but primarily beam. I think that Ekaterina can be an Olympic Beam Champion, right now I just don't see her getting in the top two spots, especially with Daria and Angelina, not to mention current senior gymnasts such as Aliya Mustafina and Viktoria Komova. But she can definitely be in contention for beam. But she might mature in this next year, and be an all-around contender. You never know. Just look at Gabby Douglas of USA.
USA's Emily Gaskins- Emily Gaskins is an amazing gymnast. She, unlike many girls in the USA, is a true dancer on floor. She has the hard tumbling, together with the great balletic style. She is also great on bars. This fills a numerous amount of voids for Team USA. I can't wait for Emily to turn senior in 2016, she can prove that the American Girls have the capability to be artistic and balletic.
Germany's Florine Harder- As we know, Germany does not have the best gymanstics program, and is not the most well-known. But Florine wants to change that, she is a great all-around athlete, and can bring pride to Germany. She turns senior just in time for the Games in 2016. Florine will change the fact that Germany's gymnastics program is not that well known.
Great Britains' Georgia Mae Fenton- Georgia is a great all around athlete for Team Great Britain. I bet that if she tries her hardest in Olympic Qualifying, and if she makes her routines as hard as she can, she can be in contention for a medal. Georgia still has a year before she turns senior, and I believe she'll use it to the fullest extent.
USA's Grace Quinn- Grace is good on bars and balance beam, as well as an okay all-arounder. To be honest, Grace has to upgrade her routine a lot in order to make the Olympic Team, much less get into individual finals. Grace is a promising athlete, but like Sarah Finnegan in 2012, I think she'll need a little more time.
Puerto Rico's Ivanka Victory- Remember how I said that Florine Harder was trying to prove something for Germany, who's gymnastics program is not that well-known? Well wait till you see this girl. She representse Puerto Rico. I bet you are all like "Does Puerto Rico Even HAVE a gymnastics program?!" Not really, but I think Ivanka can boost up the Puerto Rican program, just a few pegs at least. She is a great all arounder, she is steady on all the events. Ivanka turns senior just in time for Rio, and I believe if she works really hard and proves to the Puerto Rican Gymnastics Coorodinators that she can be counted on, I think she'll be standing in the Rio Arena waiting to present to the judges.
USA's Jazmyn Foberg- I AM OBSESSED with Jazzy, who trains at MG Elite, an up and rising club. Not only is she an amazing gymnast, all-around, she is the 2014 All-Around and Uneven Bars National Champion!!! Jazzy totally has the international look, great lines, perfect form, I am so glad that Jazzy turns senior in 2016, because it would be a pity if we had to wait another four years to see her become an Olympian.
USA's Laurie Hernandez- Laurie is also an MG Elite gymnast, and I love her. Laurie has spunk on floor and can also contribute a solid set on all of the other events. But Laurie is known for her spunk and great choreography on the event. She turns senior in 2016, just like all the girls above.
China's Liu Tingting- Liu is a very promising athlete, turning senior in 2016, just in time for the Games. However, I think it would be hard for her to make it because of her recent placings. The highest she's gotten to the podium in an International Competition is in 3rd, the bronze medal position on the uneven bars. So I think that she just needs more time to upgrade and find her groove. But she does very well nationally.
China's Luo Huan- Luo is a good uneven bar worker, placing first on the event at the most recent Pacific Rims, I believe that she can make the Olympic Team because she has placed on the podium on numerous competitions, some internationally, so she already has exposure, the one thing that differentiates her and her teammate is the consistency.
Canada's Megan Roberts- Megan Roberts is now my favorite Canadian Gymnast. I mean did you see the girl at Elite Canada in 2013? She won every event except beam. Just to clarify: That means she won the all-around, the vault, the bars, and the floor finals. I LOVED WATCHING HER. I am so excited for Megan to turn senior in 2016 because unless she gets a HUGE injury, she'll make the Canadian Team
USA's Norah Flately- I am excited for Norah's senior debut in 2016. As I watch her in past competitions, I realize that her beam work is impeccable, and she is solid on EVERY event. Thats what a Chow's gymnast is: Consistent, solid, hardworking, and aces execution. I think very highly of Norah, and I know she'll make the 2016 Olympic Team.
USA's Rachel Baumann- Now before I start talking about Rachel, you may realize the last name seems familiar........... you are right. Rachel is the sister of Senior Gymnast, and 2014 Gold Medalist with the team, Alyssa Baumann. Rachel shows the talents of her sister, Alyssa, and many more. Even though Rachel just got onto the elite scene, I feel that it is worth noting that she dominated on the Level 9 scene I think if Rachel trains hard and upgrades more, she can make it to Trials. Rachel turns senior in 2016. But I also think it would be cool if Rachel and Alyssa made the Rio Team Together. A little sister-sister force.
Canada's Rose-Kaying Woo- Rose is a great all-around gymnast. She is also great on the uneven bars and balance beam, winning multiple golds in multiple competitions. She can bring it to the table to Canada. I think that Rose can make the team if she continues to perform as she is, Rose turns senior in 2016.
Remembering the Greats: Great Britain's Beth Tweddle
I wanted to do a "Remembering the Greats" and I figured why not do one on Great Britain Legend, Elizabeth Tweddle? Beth is known for her amazing bar work, she is also known for her great floor routines. I love Beth because of the incredible skills she does in her routine. It never ends.
Her first World Win was in 2006, where she took the titles on the uneven bars and floor exercise. Then in 2009, she won the floor exercise. In 2010, she won the uneven bars final......... Now I can blab on and on about all Beth Tweddle's accomplishments, but that will take too much time, so I might as well paste the table I found from Wikipedia.
Medal record
So , Beth is an amazing athlete, and now that she is retired, she will be sorely missed.
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