Quote of the week: "Lozcheko? She hasn’t moved to Uzbekistan yet?" -- Blogger Bronwyn Sanders of Stoi! on the Voronin Cup lineup
Anyways...
Mustafina, Barkalov win Voronin Cup: New World champion Aliya Mustafina and rising teammate Dmitry Barkalov were victorious at the Voronin Cup, the last big international competition of 2010. Mustafina blew away the field by more than a point in the absence of Russia's Viktoria Komova, who proved that no matter how agile on the mat, even gymnasts are susceptible to getting injured just walking across a floor. Tatiana Nabieva finished second, Israel's Valeria Maksyuta third. Russia's Andrei Likhovitsky was runner up in the senior men's division, with Japan's Shogo Nonomura third. The junior divisions were won by Russia's Anastasia Sidorova and Japan's Kenta Chiba, respectively. (International Gymnast Magazine)
Jesus Carballo, Jr. named President of the Spanish Gymnastics Federation: Gymnastics is a Carballo Family Affair in Spain. Jesus, the 1996 and 1999 World high bar champion, is the youngest Spanish Federation President ever at 34. His father, Jesus Carballo, Sr., is still head coach of the national team. (The All Around Gymnastics News)
Daniel Keatings update: The British star has the all-clear to begin tumbling and vaulting again, he writes in a new blog post for sponsor Opus Energy. "As soon as I get my endurance back then I can start working on some new routines on both floor and vault to add to the new routines I have built up on the other apparatus," he writes. Keatings may be aiming to compete at the Scottish Championships in February. (Daniel Keatings blog for Opus Energy Challenge)
Gift ideas for the gym nut: A helpful list. One item not included: The Shawn Johnson Gymnastics game for the Nintendo Wii, available on Amazon, $27.99. (Thanks, Tandoori.) (Examiner.com)
From the NCAA to the Armenian national team: Iowa standout Houry Gebeshian, who will graduate after this season, may compete for Armenia at the 2011 Worlds. Gebeshian won the Big 10 beam title in 2010. During a trip to Armenia this month, she'll be working on Armenian citizenship and meeting with the national team. (Asbarez News)
Remember the name: 12-year-old Hamish Carter, of Nottingham, England, has had quite the season. After finishing second at the English Championships and becoming British champion in his age group, he also won the under-14 level at the Futures Cup in Austria. Who knows? He could be the next Daniel Keatings. (Nottingham Post)
Death of a gymnast: Former Nebraska all-American Burkett Powell, 38, was found dead in his home last weekend. He was a star for the Huskers in the early '90s, winning silver on parallel bars at the NCAA Championships in 1994. He did not have any known health problems and was remembered as an extremely polite young man. "We swore he would run for governor someday just because he'd be shaking hands, meeting everyone in the room no matter where you were," former Nebraska coach Francis Allen said of him. Condolances to his family. (AP)
Zimbabwe shines at Zone Six Championships: Team Zimbabwe was a big winner at Africa's Zone Six Championships, which drew participants from five nations: Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. One of the stars was men's champion Kudzaishe Nyazvigo, 17, who won four event titles. (All Africa)
Tomas Gonzalez named Chilean Athlete of the Year: The power vaulter/tumbler is not only the top gymnast in Chile, but the top sportsman. Congratulations, Tomas! (Radio Santiago via The All Around Gymnastics News)
Louis Smith on his 2010: “This has been a great year for me. I started in January with a broken thumb but recovered well to take silver at the European Championships in April, and then another silver at the Worlds in October," said Smith. (Hunt's Post)
Liukin to Geinger: That's a new high bar combination being worked by Illinois star Paul Ruggeri, as highlighted by Andy Thornton on American Gymnast. (Andy's Angle on American Gymnast)
Alina Kabayeva covers Russian Vogue: The 2004 Olympic rhythmic all-around champion graces the front of Russian Vogue's 2011 edition. But will the story touch on rumors that she had an affair with Russian President Vladimir Putin and had a child with him? Doubtful. (Examiner.com)
New look Auburn: The Tigers have new coaches and a fighting spirit as the 2011 season comes into focus. With video clip of training. (WLTZ 38)
Olympic Athlete of the Year: The British award goes to Beth Tweddle, who won the gymnastics category for all her sterling work in 2010. (Full Twist)
Li Ning shares down 10 percent: Shares of Li Ning's athleticwear empire have taken a hit on the Hong Kong stock market after the manufacturer reported that sales are down. The stock has lost 35 percent this year due to a combination of rising operating costs and slow sales. (Bloomberg News)
Catching up with Shari Mann: The 1981 World team member is now a coach and international judge. (Columbia Tribune)
Follow Gymnastics Examiner Blythe Lawrence on Facebook or Twitter, or click the "Subscribe" button above to receive the latest gymnastics news and results via e-mail.
Comments