Gymnastics News #23: Defying Gravity

[Theatregirl1122]

Okay! I'm finally going to actually get to watch some gymnastics! Whenever the 'cock stops telling me to stay tuned.

 

[ilovesalchows]

Well Nastia looks beautiful today.

I hate the tape delay for the west coast. Something they only do for Gym and FS, I think. Just awful.

Had to pay for the 'cock again.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Ooooooof. And there goes Jones off the beam to start.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Just looking at night 1, Jones, McClain, Chiles would give you a good start, but you could use a boost on bars and beam. Adding Jade to that doesn't help either of those, but gives you a lot of 10ths on vault and a few on floor. DiCello would give you the bar score you want and improve beam. I can definitely see those being the five based on the first night, although the second night will obviously tell the tale, especially considering how it has already started.

 

[her grace]

Getting annoyed with the sexist commentary judging the gymnasts’ happiness.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Getting annoyed with the sexist commentary judging the gymnasts’ happiness.

I'm also annoyed that they keep acting like Jordan just started cheering for her teammates when she went to NCAA like she wasn't doing the same thing like crazy last year.

 

[ilovesalchows]

Nobody wants to see Simone come back as a specialist less than Jade Carey.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Konnor is up by 0.5 going into the last rotation, but Shilese is going to bars and Konnor to floor. I'd say that puts Shilese in the driver's seat.

 

[ilovesalchows]

A Wong/Carey combo along with Jones, McClain and Chiles is a great team.

 

[Debbie S]

Is Kayla not continuing with elite? I know she's going to college, but I thought she was still going for 2024?

 

[ilovesalchows]

One of the broadcasters indicated diCello wasn’t interested in worlds.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Is Kayla not continuing with elite? I know she's going to college, but I thought she was still going for 2024?

Sounds like not. I'm surprised because I think she had one more world team in her. I don't think she was going to be in contention for 2024.

In that case I'd say you take Leanne Wong as a straight bar worker or Skye Blakley if you want someone who can back you up on all events.

 

[ilovesalchows]

Konnor almost looks embarrassed to be doing her choreography.

I am just as pleased as punch (as YNW would say) about the talent heading into Paris.

 

[Debbie S]

Damn. That was an amazing bar routine until the fall.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

I feel like Shilese just needs the confidence. It took Suni and Jordan a while to get there, too. She has all the pieces.

 

[skatfan]

That was heartbreaking to see with Shilesh. But it looks like she’s headed to worlds, so good for her. Konner’s mental game has improved so much - yay! The women were a lot more nervy today, but it’s another great crop of athletes. Great competition to see who would place where.

 

[Coco]

Shilese fell two times so what can you say, but Konnor's score on floor was pretty generous. That looked like a fall on the wolf turn.

 

[nickp]

We are BIG FANS of Konnor McClain in this household saw her documentary on Peacock last year leading up to the 2021 Olympics

 

[mattiecat13]

I don't mind Johnny's outfits but his hair bugs me. And, personally, I would much rather listen to his commentary than Scott's or Uncle Dick's. At least he's competed in this century.

Tara tends to look like she's either going to a club or a Sunday afternoon garden party/shower. On what planet is strapless considered professional clothing?

Agree about Nastia's hair. I did like her yellow top yesterday and thought it looked very nice.

And I've mentioned this before but I still wish some of the gymnasts' leotards had a little more coverage on the backside.

Can't wait for Worlds! Such a talented young crop of gymnasts to follow for the next three years.

 

[pollyanna]

Konnor almost looks embarrassed to be doing her choreography.

Indeed, after watching all the FXs last night, I had to rewatch Olga Mostepanova's 1983 FX and all of the Soviet women's 1989 FXs to cleanse my palate, so to speak.

 

[Garden Kitty]

My lack of gymnastics knowledge (as well as my lack of geography knowledge) was on full display in the men's event. I wondered for a number of minutes how Asher could be at US Nats if he was representing another country? Until I remembered the flag on the back of his leo was the flag of Texas, and that his and his coach's outfits said Cypress, not Cyprus.

 

[her grace]

I also think a bars specialist could be considered especially if Hong isn't healthy. Not that any of the bars specialists (Mathews, Mueller, Jong, Booth) did well on night one. Zoe Miller was the best bars worker for U.S. at Pan Ams (hugh 6.5 D score), but she didn't compete here. Another eventer Ciena Apilio could be considered for beam (4th on night one). However, since she wasn't selected for Pan Ams after being on the top mathematical team after Camp, I don't see a big name being left off for her for the Worlds team.

Nola Mathews had a much better day 2 bars score to finish 4th in that event behind Wong, Jones, and Chiles.

Ciena Apilio improved her beam event ranking to 2nd place behind McClain.

Probably not going to get them on a world team (unless injuries), but perhaps an alternate position?

 

[Carolla5501]

Watching this event made me think gymnastics is a lot worse than figure skating. An unbelievable amount of talent and so few spots for international events.


Honestly with US ladies when we get to the 5th place you know that they really are not a podium threat. That’s not true imho in gymnastics

 

[Rob]

Is Zoe Miller injured? Huge Konnor fan here, but I think she was a little overscored on UB. With 2 falls by Shilese though, Konnor still wins IMO.

I think with Leanne's upgrades on UB and her consistent VT and BB, and good FX; and Jade's 2 vaults and FX, I picked them.

I think Katelyn Jong has a lot of form to work on.

Tim said Kelli Hill's career ends when Kayla's does, but will Kayla head for college now and try for the Olympics in 2 years? Then Kelli will coach her?

 

[her grace]

Is Zoe Miller injured?

Gymcastic reported that Miller has a back injury.

 

[Carolla5501]

For those of us who have been very unhappy over the years the way you had to search for figure skating on Peacock you’ll be pleased to know gymnastics actually does have it worse. They have no hub and while I watched a show on Peacock live the other night you can’t find it again. Peacock should be ashamed of themselves

 

[BittyBug]

I tried to find it on Peacock and gave up and went to Hulu.

 

[FiveRinger]

It’s on USA Gymnastics channel on YouTube. I just watched women’s day 2 full competition.

 

[mtnskater]

I watched women both nights and men night two. Shilese was the revelation for me. Love her beautiful style and line. Bummed about the two falls on night two, especially on the dismount from bars when it looked like she would win…uggh! Pure mental break. Hopefully she can use it as a learning experience and get stronger. Konner seemed very improved but did look uncomfortable performing her choreography. Jade and Chiles also looking so good despite a very packed year. Impressive! Some slight artistry appearing on Jade…nice to see.

Mens gymnastics doesn’t do much for me. So much is about brute upper body strength and over developed upper bodies. I would love to see them do floor to music with dance elements required. The women don‘t even have nearly the artistry they used to. For men, nonexistent. But I do appreciate the difficulty.

 

[Hedwig]

I almost never watch the men for similar reasons.