Gymnastics News #21 - Tumbling on to Tokyo

[ilovepaydays]

Gannon also understands the thrill of the “Cinderella moment”. After all, when he played basketball for NC State, their 1983 March Madness run was one of the most legendary ever. I wished he would talk about his own national title more.

 

[UGG]

I don't understand why Simone is feuding with Morgan Hurd? That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. She should really be above that. I would think at this point in her career, if a gymnast says something negative, she should be able to think of all of her accomplishments and let results do the talking.

 

[bardtoob]

I don't understand why Simone is feuding with Morgan Hurd?

Is this for real? (Honest question) I guess bad on Simone for participating, although I guess she deleted the Tweet.

Sure, Morgan is reigning World Champion but can't hope to ever match Simone's D Scores. They BOTH should know a comparison is cute.

... Not to mention Morgan was never the dominant gymnast. Smith was supposed to dominate in the absence of Simone.

 

[VGThuy]

It's probably a lot of pressure now that teams are down to 4 members, Simone coming back means one less spot and most likely a loss at a chance to get a few World titles and OGMs, AND maybe Simone just not gelling with the newest generation. It seems there's sort of a fracture between Simone and the other younger gymnasts with Simone lamenting how much she misses her old teammates. If there is, then I also wonder if there's resentment from the younger gymnasts about the whole Larry Nassar thing. Not that they blame the victims or anything, but I can see in their young, narrow perspectives (since all they've done was devote their whole lives to gymnastics) that the likes of Aly and Simone others didn't say anything until they got their medals and accolades and rewards and now they left the mess with this younger generation who won't get anywhere near the same attention or positivity and have to deal with coaches being forced out and no camps, etc. I can sort of understand it even if it's a very self-centered mindset. I don't blame them for being self-centered because they have been conditioned to sacrifice so much in the promise of individual success. Maybe when they get older they'll learn to appreciate that the previous gymnasts probably saved them from a similar fate that they unfortunately had to go through. I also think if there was more competition internationally, then there wouldn't be the same sort of entitlement, like if Simone wasn't there, then the AA champ and AA runner-up would most likely still be Americans no matter who they are.

 

[bardtoob]

@VIETgrlTerifa it could also be, for better or worse, the old camp system made solid relationships among competitors more possible.

... The old camp system should still be completely dismantled.

 

[savchenkoboss]

Simone should not make comments too much like how she misses the old girls even if she was better friends with them than she is the newer guard at this point. That makes the newer girls feel unwelcomed and while they are her competitors, she is also the obvious team leader, especialy with Raisman retired, so she needs to be a sort of mentor and support for them. Just because one gymnast (Morgan) made some nasty comments about her, doesnt mean most dont like like and appreciate her.

 

[Bonita]

I just watched and I love Simone and Morgan, but I adore Riley. Her style is so beautiful.

I looked on Simones Twitter and saw the feud posts, but she tweeted this, which I found more interesting and sad yet inspiring. I had forgotten about this talented and gorgeous young lady.

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/videos/katelyn-ohashi-gymnastics-ucla

 

[savchenkoboss]

Ohashi was unwordly great on beam and excellent on bars and floor. Had she stayed healthy and continued to improve (remember she was young enough to still potentially improve a lot) maybe she is the one who could have challenged Biles over the previous quad. Especialy since she probably had potential to outscore everyone, including Biles, by almost a full point on beam. She was already capable of a 7.2 D beam routine in 2013.

 

[Aceon6]

It seems that the US Champs are no where close to being sold out, particularly for the men’s sessions.

 

[savchenkoboss]

It seems that the US Champs are no where close to being sold out, particularly for the men’s sessions.

The recent scandals probably dont help, and the U.S men were hardly intoxicating to begin with.

 

[annie720]

The recent scandals probably dont help, and the U.S men were hardly intoxicating to begin with.

I would think that Yul Moldauer would have some tweenie fans.

 

[Aceon6]

I would think that Yul Moldauer would have some tweenie fans.

Tickets are a bit pricey for families. For half decent tickets for Thursday evening session, it would cost at least $250 for 1 adult + 2 kids + parking. I suspect the local gyms offered some discounted tix, but it’s still expensive.

 

[FiveRinger]

I would think that Yul Moldauer would have some tweenie fans.

I'm not a tween, but I'm definitely a fan....lol

 

[ilovepaydays]

Pain, training, and 73 medals: Inside the life of U.S. all/around champion Ragan Smith.

Pretty incredible stuff in this article......

 

[annie720]

I'm not a tween, but I'm definitely a fan....lol

I first started paying attention to Yul because he's from my area but then he's had a pretty awesome year, so I guess I'm on the Yul train, too.

 

[Rob]

Anyone watching podium training videos on Youtube? I just love Riley's bars so much. And Trinity Thomas looked beautiful on beam.

 

[Yehudi]

RIP Elena Shushunova. The 1988 Olympics got me into gymnastics and no matter how many times I watch that comp, I still get goosebumps from that final (imperfect) vault

 

[danafan]

Shushunova was one of the all time greats. A true innovator. And she showed longevity at that time (remaining in the top six on a USSR women's team for an entire quad was not as easy feat). Her contributions to the sport will never be forgotten.

 

[Karina1974]

RIP Elena Shushunova. The 1988 Olympics got me into gymnastics and no matter how many times I watch that comp, I still get goosebumps from that final (imperfect) vault

This is literally the first I've heard about this.

 

[Rob]

Omg, I hadn’t heard either. She was 49. Wow.

 

[FiveRinger]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...ory.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.62a54deaf5d9

Here is a link that explains her death a little bit. This is the first I am hearing, and I am in complete and utter shock. Apparently it was sudden, pneumonia complications.

Shushunova was one of my favorites. The competition between Silivas and her was unforgettable. I couldn't root for either one, I had the utmost respect for both of their completely different styles. RIP.

 

[ilovepaydays]

This Balance Beam Situation tweet sums up my feelings about the men’s first night at U.S. Nationals.

Honestly, USA Gymnastics should just pick it’s five members based on individual medal prospects - on apparatuses. IMHO, The team or AA medals aren’t going to happen for awhile.

 

[Erin]

This Balance Beam Situation tweet sums up my feelings about the men’s first night at U.S. Nationals.

Honestly, USA Gymnastics should just pick it’s five members based on individual medal prospects - on events. The team or AA medals aren’t going to happen for awhile, IMHO.

This was his other gem:
https://twitter.com/thebbsituation/status/1030260166782943232?s=21

I know there will be the usual talk about Sam needing to go away when he performs like this and I am as fed up as anyone with it but the worst part of all is that he performs like this and still no one else can beat him. I was really hoping Yul would do so this year but the talk of the back injury is very disconcerting. That said, I thought some of the judging seemed rather suspect. Sam had a major mistake on pommels and a fall, but he still comes away with an E-score the same as someone who didn’t fall?

I agree with focusing on event final medals at this point and maybe if they get lucky, they’ll make team finals as a
side benefit. I’d keep my eye on Alec Yoder for pommels if they do go this route.

 

[ilovepaydays]

This was his other gem:
https://twitter.com/thebbsituation/status/1030260166782943232?s=21

I know there will be the usual talk about Sam needing to go away when he performs like this and I am as fed up as anyone with it but the worst part of all is that he performs like this and still no one else can beat him. I was really hoping Yul would do so this year but the talk of the back injury is very disconcerting. That said, I thought some of the judging seemed rather suspect. Sam had a major mistake on pommels and a fall, but he still comes away with an E-score the same as someone who didn’t fall?

I agree with focusing on event final medals at this point and maybe if they get lucky, they’ll make team finals as a
side benefit. I’d keep my eye on Alec Yoder for pommels if they do go this route.

Also, I think Whittenburg is done - unless he spectacularly recovers.

Modi and Bowser are going to have to do some major upgrades if they want to make any teams.

 

[Aceon6]

Men’s gym is going the way of other minor sports in the US. If you can twist and flip, there’s a lot more money in X sports.

 

[Jimena]

I loved Shushunova. Once off my all time favorites.

 

[Rob]

This was his other gem:
https://twitter.com/thebbsituation/status/1030260166782943232?s=21

I love that one. I guess Yul was trying some upgrades with a sore back so perhaps there is an excuse there, but its clear that US men's gym is not popular and isn't attracting a wide array of talent like the X Games does.

 

[pollyanna]

OMG, that's horrible news about Shushunova. I remember the 1988 Olympics like it was yesterday. I was rooting for Silivas, but had nothing but respect for Shushunova's talent and performances, she really earned that AA gold medal. RIP Elena.

 

[Erin]

I guess Yul was trying some upgrades with a sore back so perhaps there is an excuse there

Interestingly, Yul's coach posted on twitter that the back issue is chronic and has been going on for a long time. But the injury was exacerbated when he jammed it doing a HB dismount last Friday. So it sounds like it's something that he is used to dealing with that has flared up - maybe not as concerning as I initially thought. I usually assume the worst with back problems, as those can take forever to heal.

OMG, that's horrible news about Shushunova. I remember the 1988 Olympics like it was yesterday. I was rooting for Silivas, but had nothing but respect for Shushunova's talent and performances, she really earned that AA gold medal. RIP Elena.

There have been some interviews with Silivas about Shushunova's death and she has been nothing but gracious, talking about how Shushunova pushed her to be better in the leadup to the 88 Olympics. Elena has definitely been lost too young.

 

[ilovepaydays]

Just watched a lot of the Junior Women Day 1 on USAGym’s YouTube. Anyone else thinking that Sunisa Lee is making the 2020 team if she remains healthy and continues to improve?