Jonathan Horton will compete in the all-around at the 2009 World Championships. AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
Who's doing what at Worlds: U.S. men Jonathan Horton and Tim McNeill will compete all six events in London, while Danell Leyva (high bar, p-bars), Wes Haagensen (pommel horse and rings), Jake Dalton (vault) and Steven Legendre (floor) will specialize. (Stick It Media)
Gymnasts getting married: Meanwhile, 2008 Olympian Sasha Artemev tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Brianna Springer, a Denver University gymnast, in Hawaii. (USA Gymnastics)
There is no new news about Shawn Johnson: But The Des Moines Register wrote an article anyway. It's much the same as we've heard before, except that Johnson's college list includes five schools (though Stanford and UCLA remain her top two choices) and that she would continue to train with Liang Chow -- if she returns to gymnastics. (Des Moines Register)
Samantha Peszek withdraws from World Championships trials: To have shoulder surgery on that torn labrum. (AP)
Sandra Izbasa tears Achilles tendon: The Olympic floor champion will miss next month's World Championship, but the Romanians are waiting for the results of this weekend's Romanian Championships to name the gymnast that will replace her. (Various)
Ana Porgras wins Romanian Championship: The newcomer (look out for her on beam at the World Championships) stayed consistent to take her first Romanian senior title. Already named World team members Diana Chelaru and Ana Maria Tamirjan were second and third, respectively. Blogger Emily of Past and Present Gymnastics posted an excellent meet breakdown, but seemed a bit underwhelmed by the quality of the gymnastics:
Overall, the Romanians aren't looking great. There were a lot of falls on bars and beam, whatever happened to the famous Romanian consistency?
Mann joins Iowa State as assistant: Former U.S. team member and NCAA gymnast Shari Mann will join the Cyclones this season. (Des Moines Register).
You may have seen the Youtube video of Mann balking on her bar dismount at the 1981 U.S. Championships and landing flat on her back. But check out her barwork at the 1983 Emerald Classic:
London calling: If you're a student or part of a school group, tickets to the 2009 World Championships are on sale for 5 pounds apiece for the first day of competition at the 02 Arena on Oct. 13. Unfortunately, prices go up from there. (Visit London Blog)
Hambuchen at home: German star Fabian Hambuchen got a confidence builder en route to next month's London Worlds: the second stage of the Champions Trophy, which has a 200,000€ prize. Hambuchen won the first stage in June and overcame Russia's Maxim Devyatovsky and Britain's Daniel Keatings to win again this weekend in Berlin. American Joseph Hagerty was fifth. (IG)
On the mend: Cerasela Patrascu, one of Romania's most impressive athletes at the 2007 World Championships. The elegant Patrascu injured her knee before the Beijing Olympics and has had a long recovery process. (ProSport/Fan Gymnastics).
Here's Patrascu on beam at the 2007 World Championships during the qualifying round:
Lu Li changes gyms: The 1992 Olympic bars champion (and the second to last person to record a perfect 10 in Olympic competition) is now coaching at Emerald City Gymnastics Academy in Redmond, Wash. Great interview. (Redmond Reporter)
Comebacks: Which recently retired international star would you most like to see back in competition? Vote in the poll. (Examiner.com).
Suzanne Yoculan: The University of Georgia's former gymnastics coach is going into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Cartwheels in Qatar: Coaches in Qatar are looking forward to the World Cup Sept. 28-30 as a chance for their athletes to gain experience. Two men (Nasser Al Hamad and Mahmoud Al Saadi) and one woman (Al Jazzy Al Habshi) will be competing for the home country. (Qatar Peninsula)
Dutch announce World teams: Including Mayra Kroonen, Sanne Wevers, Epke and Herre Zonderland and Jeffrey Wammes. (Examiner.com)
Dawes, Lynch at the White House: Three-time Olympian Dominique Dawes and 1996 Olympic silver medalist Jair Lynch backed Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games at an event on the White House lawn earlier this week. (USA Gymnastics)
Clare-Kearney a finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year: Two-time NCAA champion Ashleigh Clare-Kearney is one of nine women up for the NCAA Woman of th Year award. The winner will be announced Oct. 18 (LSUsports.net)
Canadian gymnastics news: Emma Willis is on the mend after elbow surgery, and junior Dominique Pegg is off to compete at the Junior Japan International Competition in Yokohama (The Observer)
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