Gymnastics News #15

[Spareoom]

I believe AA medalists don't automatically qualify because no one in the FIG anticipated an AA medalist would ever come from a non-qualifying team. Seriously.

To be fair, it hasn't in a really, really, really long time. If ever? It was bound to happen eventually, what with developing nations on the rise in MAG and WAG teams experiencing a strength shift, but I don't think anyone thought it would happen just yet.

I feel awful for Iordache; she must be devastated because she wanted to contribute to the team at the test event and now it's out of her hands. It's not an impossible task for the girls but it's going to be really nail-biting. Test Event TF might be the most nerve-wracking competition of the entire season (and yes, that includes the Olympics).

 

[Buzz]

Is Dipa Karmaker going to the test event?

 

[danafan]

Is Dipa Karmaker going to the test event?

Maybe - India is second reserve and North Korea, entitled to two spots, was not on the definitive registration list as of Febraury 26. If PRK gave up their spots, India (presumably Karmakar) is in.

 

[Loves_Shizuka]

Speaking of Romania, I was watching the 1987 worlds earlier on YT. Though I loved the Soviets, that was a great win for ROM. Always loved Dobre.

And Silivas and Voinea had amazing FX's

 

[LKR]

A few days late, but just letting you all know I recapped the American Cup with my new blog: https://gymntalk.wordpress.com/2016/03/11/he-fills-his-head-with-thoughts/

 

[rhapsody]

Seems Iordache will miss the test event due to a broken finger. http://www.intlgymnast.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4486:iordache-out-of-rio-qualification-with-injury&catid=3:interviews&Itemid=168

It will be very difficult for Roumania to qualify now. Just shows how short sighted FIG was by allowing apparatus medalists to qualify directly for the Olympics but not an AA medalist. Romania might only get one spot in Rio but for example Germany is already guaranteed at least two since Schaefer won an individual medal on beam.

Unreal. It's surprising they never contracted a high level uneven bar specialist to come and coach. That event alone did their undoing in Glasgow.

A bottle of wine won't be enough to get through the test event for Romania. Iordache (my love) will be sent to the Olympics no matter what, but it won't be an Olympic Games without team Romania in gymnastics.

Nadia Comaneci called it when she said that the 2016 Olympics would most likely be the end of an era for Romanian gymnastics.

 

[poths]

I think they only person who could have bumped Kocian was Kyla, but with Kyla gone, it seems that Kocian is a lock for the team. There isn't really anyone else who can really fill what Kyla/Maddy bring to the table (bars). If anyone is to bump Kocian, they're going to have to decent on bars and also be great on beam.

Could Gowey or Flatly possibly overtake Kocian?
I'd be surprised if Chow had no one in Rio, Gowey could connect a few skills to have 6'7 routine, no? And she has a far better beam.
Dowell is completely out of the question right? Maybe 2nd alternate? :Saint:

 

[Karpenko]

Dowell hasn't been allowed to make any appearances since Worlds, Marta has her locked in a cellar rewriting "I can hear my music. I can do better than an 11." in Romanian when she's not training. (as a community service for letting her keep the team gold)

 

[kwanoverrated]

Karpenko, not impressed with Mrs. Kerrigan I take it?

 

[Karpenko]

McKayla is just aghast at that dress.

She ordered an omelette with cheese and they brought her a Nancy Kerrigan touchdown instead.

 

[Coco]

Gowey's max is 6.6, I believe, if she connects her in bar 1/1 with her Komova. Never seen her come close, though. 6.5 is good for her. She is not too consistent with connecting her Ricna and Pak.

 

[MAXSwagg]

A few days late, but just letting you all know I recapped the American Cup with my new blog: https://gymntalk.wordpress.com/2016/03/11/he-fills-his-head-with-thoughts/

Loved it!!! Though disagree about Ryohei. In my opinion, he has the best overall style of the Japanese team (and anyone, for that matter) and is only second to Kohei in terms of AA talent. Tanaka, maybe, but he's slightly inconsistent (even back in 2009-2010).

 

[danafan]

Skinner is making a case for herself, she's leading the Glasgow world cup after two events. She did her Amanar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOUTTCyS5Ww and she did a 6.1 D score on bars (messy but imagine if she somehow connected the Pak to toe-shap 1/2 and did the double dobule that she threw a few times back in 2010). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiDfJSN3Pi4

 

[Coco]

Whoa...her left leg when she lands that Amanar...scary looking!

 

[poths]

Skinner is making a case for herself, she's leading the Glasgow world cup after two events. She did her Amanar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOUTTCyS5Ww and she did a 6.1 D score on bars (messy but imagine if she somehow connected the Pak to toe-shap 1/2 and did the double dobule that she threw a few times back in 2010). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiDfJSN3Pi4

Horrendous technique though and Amanar sounded like she broke her leg. That DTDLO was clearly tucked, so she did the same pass twice. Fragapane was also all kinds of horrendous in terms of form but she did a 6.5 beam with room for an extra .1 had she connected her leaps after the standing full. Could you really put her up on beam in TF however, with a those risky skills: standing arabian, a standing full and bhs bhs ftt? If she can be consistent with that, she'll earn a Rio ticket, if not, it's alt. It really irritated me how Christine (who I can forgive as she coaches national team members) and Mitch completely ignored Frags' flaws in commentary.

Seitz' bars are epic, I mean really great flow, 3 huge releases & particularly solid for the start of the season.

 

[Coco]

I love how Seitz does a release right out of the Shap.

 

[BigB08822]

Skinner is making a case for herself, she's leading the Glasgow world cup after two events. She did her Amanar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOUTTCyS5Ww and she did a 6.1 D score on bars (messy but imagine if she somehow connected the Pak to toe-shap 1/2 and did the double dobule that she threw a few times back in 2010). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiDfJSN3Pi4

The problem for Skinner is she still only scored in the 13s on floor with a set that is pretty much full difficulty for her. The US team requires a VT/FX specialist to be able to do the Amanar/Cheng and score around a 15 on FX. She isn't getting a spot now that the judges are killing her on FX.

 

[millyskate]

Seitz was definitely the highlight of the meet, and one can't help but admire Claudia for going for that beam set. Especially after the UB disaster!

 

[Karpenko]

Skinner's gymnastics makes me cranky and resentful. I've also lost my appetite for birthday cakes because of her hair.

 

[danafan]

Seitz was definitely the highlight of the meet

Her bars are outstanding. I don't understand the E judging on bars at this meet. Seitz could deservedly win the Olympics with that routine.

 

[kwanoverrated]

Skinner is making a case for herself, she's leading the Glasgow world cup after two events. She did her Amanar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOUTTCyS5Ww and she did a 6.1 D score on bars (messy but imagine if she somehow connected the Pak to toe-shap 1/2 and did the double dobule that she threw a few times back in 2010). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiDfJSN3Pi4

Dont even say that please, even if it has some merit. Just reading it makes me want to cry.

The only good thing if Skinner makes the games is I will have my designated times for potty breaks or snack getting breaks during the games.

 

[poths]

British teams took place today in the Glasgow stadium and they provided great insight and drama. Everyone was there aside from Ellie, Frags and Catherine.

Downie killed bars with a 15.1 and missed 2 connections so her safe routine. She has a new leap series, change-change half and her combo is shifted, sisone-turn-walkover-split. She's also back on vault, doing some huge FTYs, the DTY will be there for Rio and it's far better than Claudias.

Jupp was back, and it's a miracle to see her so far along considering she only got the all clear from her second ACL. All her skills are back on floor and she also added, double L turn into immediate double. Her bars were strong and her beam whilst clearly lacking polish and practise had all the Jupp hallmarks. If she gets near mid 14s on bars internationally, she'll boot Ruby.

However, Becky Tunney might also have something to say. She did a huge bars set with much better form. Ran out of gas towards the end and had a very low dismount, but 14'4 and a clean set is hugely promising. She also warmed up DTYs, whip-into Arabian and has a beam that is useable.

Harrold was harrold, had to break on her cast before bars dismount and only did FTYS, but it will be interesting to see what her upgrades are on the other pieces.

I'm pretty sure only two of those aforementioned will make the team, and right now I'm betting Downie/Harrold. BUT if Tunney gets a 15 internationally on bars and Gabby keeps improving, who the feck knows.

Sad news though, Tyesha Mattis...is now GBs Lexie Priessman. She did a decent beam, high D score, low E for a 14.0. But then went down on floor holding her knee and didn't finish. It had all the hallmarks of an ACL. I reckon she's gone TBH, she literally only returned from injury, looks rusty, is inexperienced internationally. I can't see her making Rio at this point.

Ellie, Becky, Catherine, Amy .......Tunney/Harrold/Jupp With Frags as reserve is my prediction with 5 months to go.

ETA vids are on YouTube BGTV

 

[Coco]

What's going on with Catherine Lyons?

 

[Karpenko]

I still think Frags will make the team because of floor, if she can clean up her BB... She'd compliment Becky perfectly (or even if she just does FX). I think a lot depends on how Catherine and Ellie look on UB.

 

[millyskate]

Ellie, Becky, Catherine, Amy .......Tunney/Harrold/Jupp With Frags as reserve is my prediction with 5 months to go.

ETA vids are on YouTube BGTV

What's going on with Catherine Lyons?

I'm not sure but I'm under the impression she may be injured She wasn't at the Rio training camp, which featured all the gymnasts with a shot at making the team - including Kelly Simm and Gabby Jupp.
I haven't seen any updates recently, so I don't know if she's training.

For this reason, my gut for the team is Ellie, Becky, Amy, Claudia and either Ruby or Gaby. I was impressed with Gaby, considering how recent the injury is.

 

[FiveRinger]

Skinner is making a case for herself, she's leading the Glasgow world cup after two events. She did her Amanar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOUTTCyS5Ww and she did a 6.1 D score on bars (messy but imagine if she somehow connected the Pak to toe-shap 1/2 and did the double dobule that she threw a few times back in 2010). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiDfJSN3Pi4

That vault was frightening. I had flashbacks of Rebecca Bross. She's going to hurt herself. They need to make her stop.

 

[poths]

I'm not sure but I'm under the impression she may be injured She wasn't at the Rio training camp, which featured all the gymnasts with a shot at making the team - including Kelly Simm and Gabby Jupp.
I haven't seen any updates recently, so I don't know if she's training.

For this reason, my gut for the team is Ellie, Becky, Amy, Claudia and either Ruby or Gaby. I was impressed with Gaby, considering how recent the injury is.

I was hoping against hope that because she was injured last year they are allowing her team extra time with her at home....but you're probably right!

 

[millyskate]

I was hoping against hope that because she was injured last year they are allowing her team extra time with her at home....but you're probably right!

There is confirmation on British Gymnewstics that Catherine is injured, but it doesn't specify in what way.

 

[Karpenko]

Jesolo is tomorrow y'all!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnwFE-APung (You'll need an ip blocker)

Tomorrow @ 11am EST

It should only take one split leap to convince you that Laurie Hernandez is more enjoyable than Mykayla Skinner or Aly Raisman.


ETA: It starts tomorrow not today!

 

[BigB08822]

Are ip blockers free and safe to use? Would love to watch it tomorrow. I could have a full day of gymnastics along with SECs that start at 1:00 I refuse to pay for a subscription to Flo Gymnastics out of principle.