The gymnastics week in review

November 30, 5:38 AMGymnastics ExaminerBlythe Lawrence

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Gymnastics Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Tomas Gonzales has something to celebrate: The
Chilean government had pledged to build him a new
state-of-the-art training facility. AP Photo/Daniel Maurer

Amazing skills alert: You have absolutely got to have a look at tiny Shawn Johnson-like Japanese junior Mai Murakami, who competed apparently unnoticed at both the 2009 Japanese Championships and the 2009 International Junior meet in Yokohama in September. What's to see: A double double, a 3.5 twist (that's right, a 3.5), and a sky-high double pike. She can do a double layout, too. And she's just 13! (The Couch Gymnast)

Guess who's back?: Jade Barbosa looked like a necrosis-free gymnast at the 2009 Brazilian Championships, held last weekend in Porto Alegre. Sixteen-year-old Bruna Leal won the all-around, but Barbosa triumphed on floor. Oh, and Diego Hypolito unveiled something tentatively called the "Hypolito 3." (Examiner.com)

Catching up with Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner: A short interview with gymnastics's biggest power couple touching on February's Nadia Comaneci Invitational, parenting and what's most important in life. (The Oklahoman)

Ewasko named interim head coach at Southeast Missouri: Assistant coach Kristi Ewasko will replace Tom Farden, who departed to be an assistant at Arkansas earlier this fall. (Southeast Missourian)

Amazing skills alert II: Something new and cool from Arkansas signee Katherine Grable on uneven bars from the 2008 J.O. National meet. (Examiner.com)

(Unofficial) TOP Gym results: A number of sources say that Romania's Larisa Iordache won the all-around and balance beam, U.S. junior Madison Kocain won vault, Belgium's Julie Crocket won floor and Lisa Van Den Burg of the Netherlands tied with Sweden's Ida Gustafsson for the uneven bars title at this prestigious junior meet. Crocket was second all-around, Kocian third. (IG Forum)

Alicia and the football star: Alicia Sacramone, Olympic gymnast, and Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns quarterback. The match has united gymnastics and football -- for once. (Examiner.com)

Gymnastics calling: Do your friends want to hear Chellsie Memmel or Blaine Wilson wish them a happy birthday? Or good luck at their next meet? Order a Gold Medal Greeting ($8.99-9.99) and have it delivered to their phone at the time and date of their choice. Standard greetings and custom messages are available. Other gymnasts participating include Shawn Johnson, Shannon Miller, Paul Hamm, Carly Patterson and Jonathan Horton.  (Inside Gymnastics Magazine) 

Durst getting stronger: Former Nebraska gymnast Garret Durst is looking forward to returning to his life at the University of Nebraska after suffering a traumatic brain injury in August when an SUV he was riding in rolled. He'll be back in classes next semester, but will not be able to resume gymnastics. (Omaha.com)

'Tis the season to give thanks: Here's a list of things fans can be thankful for in gymnastics right now. (Examiner.com)

On the road: Longtime International Gymnast Magazine writer John Crumlish is doing a gymnastics fan's dream tour in Europe. Follow his progress on International Gymnast's wesbite, or subscribe the magazine to get the full story in January. (International Gymnast)

Gonzales gets aid: The Chilean government has taken notice of Tomas Gonzalez's recent successes at the World Championships (fifth on floor) and DBT Cup (second on floor), and has pledged $150,000 to build a state of the art training facility. This comes after Gonzalez, who does not train in Chile, threatened to represent another country if he and other Olympic hopefuls did not receive training support. Gonzalez sounds a bit skeptical of this aid. "This is great news if true, but I want to see it happen first," he said. (Santiago Times)

Thanksgiving traditions: Team USA style. Read what the members of the U.S. team have in store for their holidays. (USA Gymnastics)

Australia vs. Japan: Japan wins by a lot. The Couch Gymnast reflects. (The Couch Gymnast)

On the road II: 2007 U.S. Champion and fan favorite David Durante is traveling through Europe this year, visiting gymnastics acquaintences and enjoying life post-retirement. Follow his progress on his just-launched blog, titled "Dave Durante's Journey Through Europe." (Dave Durante's blog)

Australia vs. Japan II: All-around winner Lauren Mitchell also won balance beam and floor exercise. Japan's Momoko Ozawa won vault, while Yuko Shintake took top honors on uneven bars. (The Canberra Times) 

Liestal International results: Italian junior Carlotta Ferlito was the best among the seniors at the Liestal International in Switzerland, while Switzerland's Roman Gisi won the senior men's all-around. A quad of impressive British women, led by Elisabeth Beddoe, swept the first four places in the junior women's all-around. Great Britain's Cameron Mackenzie won the junior men's all-around. (International Gymnast)

Ericka Garcia to LSU: One of the best in Mexico will join the Tigers this season. (LSU Gymnastics)