THE WORLD GYMNAST BACKGROUND DESIGN COMPETITION: MAY/JUNE

Every 2 months, we've decided to hold an annual competition for budding gymnastics photo editors to get their work shown on the blog and facebook. We are giving 2 lucky winners, the honor of having their photo edit as the blog background or the other winner, their edit will be our facebook and twitter profile picture for 2 weeks. 


WHEN?


We will be taking entries from today (2nd May) right through to the 12th of June. The winner will be announced sometime during 15-20th May 2012.


WHAT?


Your task is to edit/design a gymnastics photo. It should be very eye-catching and very nice to look at. We also accept collages.


HOW?


As Picnik closed down, photo editors have found it very tricky too make some good photos but I highly recommend 'befunky' for sepia, hue, make-up etc. and also photovisi for collages. But, photoshop or any others would be perfectly fine, we don't mind what software. They need to be jpg, jpeg or png files please;)


WHERE DO I SEND THEM?


You can send them too us via. facebook, twitter or e-mail. E-mail or Facebook are preferred but whatever is easiest. Just tag us in it on facebook or if you upload to twitter put our address (@TWGgymblog). When e-mailing, just attatch it with your name and age. (the.world.gymnast1@googlemail.com)


WHAT ELSE DO I WIN?


I am currently in the process of thinking but I will get back to you when I have ideas;)


HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE?


Old enough to be able to use photo editing software really. We don't really mind what age. Of course you should be 13+ if your posting via. facebook;)


WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO BE ABOUT?


Anything to do with gymnastics.


OTHER INFO;


Only one photo per e-mail/twitter and facebook account.


Please give name and age when sending;)




If you have any questions, please e-mail/facebook.

one of our edits

WHO WILL MAKE THE GB SQUAD FOR LONDON 2012?

This post was written by our new contributer Rachel P.

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property of Becky Downie

The countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic games have begun, and for team GB that means the pressure is beginning to explode, five spots are to fill on the Olympic team but with a talent pool as deep as the current British squad anything or anyone could happen. For each of these girls it has different meanings, whether it’s the final cap to Britain’s most successful gymnast: Beth Tweddle’s career or a second chance for a now experienced Hannah Whelan, who captured the heart of the gymnastics community when she burst onto the scene in the last quad, this is the ultimate goal and for some, they dream no higher.

The success of the Tokyo world championships are behind them, at this point there is one combination of the team that we all know already works; that team being made up of: Beth Tweddle, Hannah Whelan, Becky Downie, Imogen Cairns, Jennifer Pinches and Danusia Francis. This team, with no mistakes secured Britain’s highest place since 1928 at an International level.
 But what about the gymnasts behind the scenes, the ones at home working on bigger and harder skills to increase their start value, the ones that are yet to be seen by the world or have little to no international experience, the ones ready to take 2012 by storm.

Rebecca Tunney

Relatively known on the international scene after competing at the test event in January and a not so good competition at the American cup soon after, we are yet to see what she has to offer. Like Whelan in 2008 she is a new year senior taking the field by storm with a big bar set leveling her on the playing field of already established competitors. Rebecca is capable of a DTY on vault and has a dynamic floor routine with stable, efficient tumbling. Here is Rebecca’s competing at the London Test event on her favourite piece bars:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuQjwir9dlE

Jocelyn Hunt

Jocelyn turned senior in 2010 after successful years on the junior British gymnastics scene where she was selected for various international and friendly competitions. Now at the age of 17 Jocelyn has already proven herself as a useful member of team GB, in 2010 she was part of the silver medal team at the European championships and also a member of the 2010 English commonwealth team who took silver in the team competition and placed a respectable 5^th in the AA. In more recent years Jocelyn has been overshadowed by up and coming gymnasts who have dominated the British gymnastics events as well as aging team members looking for a last chance. On the plus side Jocelyn is a strong dynamic performer with years of international experience under her belt, will she make the team. Here is Jocelyn competing at the London Test even on one of her strongest pieces floor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Bjnc4qdCA&feature=relmfu

Jessica Hogg

A member of the well-known Cardiff Central trio, Jess has been competing internationally for a few years now, not only is she a complete powerhouse, but also a relatively strong all-rounder. Jess’ most notable international competition to date is at the 2010 International Youth Olympic festival where she competed alongside stars such as: Carlotta Ferlitto, Victoria Komova and Tan sixin. Although Jess only finished in 18^th a strong floor performance secured her a place in the floor final where she placed a respectable 5^th place. Jess is capable of two different vaults placing her in contention for one of Britain’s weaker events. Here is Jess on her favourite event floor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIG3uhd0Pw4&feature=related

Nicole Hibbert

Nicole has had minor international experience, competing in events such as the 2008 Junior European Championships and more recently as a senior at the 2010 World Championships in Rotterdam. Nicole is another powerful gymnast where she particularly excels on floor and vault, although seemingly disappearing from the gymnastics scene in more recent times due to being hampered with injuries. Looking to make a comeback for the upcoming games Nicole has previously been capable of skills such as a full in on floor and a 1 1/2 TY on vault. It’s a race against the clock as to whether Nicole will gain all of her skills back and up her difficulty in time for the event. Here is Nicole on Vault at the 2010 British Championships:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY83_ELsyMs

Charlotte Lindsley

Charlotte is another gymnast from Heathrow gymnastics club. A taller gymnast Charlotte struggles with events such as bars, but excels with her well-choreographed floor and has an interesting and creative beam mount. Although she may not be the most experienced gymnast, hopes are still high, she was a member of the 2010 commonwealth team and recently competed in a friendly against Romania and Germany where she placed 9^th. Charlotte still has big skills to contend with, a more interesting skill is her double twisting bar dismount. Here is Charlotte at the 2010 Commonwealth on Vault: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2gGcbGquq8

Niamph Rippin

Niamph has been on the British team since 2007 and is a member of the same club as Becky Downie. As a junior Niamph had immense talent and showed large promise with her gymnastics, but since turning senior in 2010 Niamph as experienced many obstacles including a back injury obtained at that years British Championships. Before this Niamph was part of the silver medal winning team at the 2010 European Championships and also placed 6^th on floor. In 2011 Niamph was back to her old competitive self, placing 7^th AA at the British in 2011. Although a strong member of team GB her place on the Olympic team will be dependent on whether she is fit and capable. Here is Niamph on floor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQfWF5q3v5U

Laura Edwards

Another member to the silver winning Commonwealth team in 2010, Laura is a strong beam worker with an exciting and graceful floor. Laura finished 6^th in the AA at this competition and works with skills such as a blind beam mount which is performed by very few gymnasts as well as a flick to one, flick to two, double pike dismount. Laura is a consistent worker with great prospects for future teams with her continuous upgrades but with so little time until the games there may not be enough time to meet the par of other already established hopefuls. Here is a video of Laura on beam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJEgza5kWPE

Kelly Simm

Kelly trains at Dynamo gymnastics club, where she has been since she started gymnastics, Kelly only recently qualified to the British team having previously being part of the English squad. Kelly is a dynamic gymnast with skills such as a double layout on floor, her easy flexibility and flowing leaps making her performance enjoyable, she may not have the experience or skills for this quad but she is one to watch for next. Here is Kelly on floor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G-4yrReYLc

THAT MONDAY MISCELLANY.

Yes, it's monday. Gotta get down on Monday (huh?). Unfortunately, I'm not feeling to great (headache, bad stomach) etc. so I've got the day off but that isn't defeating my Gymnastics love. Over the past couple of days, I haven't really been 100% focused on the blog. It's been very busy and I feel like I'm not putting my all into blogging! But, I've decided enough is enough and I'm focused to give you guys the ultimate gymnastics feed. So who's with me?
Other the coarse of the week, we've seen some big competitions and some big news, so let's highlight some of the happenings in the Gymnastics week.


GBR-ROU-GER


Yes, this has been a big fortnight for tri meets. Including this one and the Russia-Switzerland-Great Britain and the Romania vs. France and we've also had the Netherlands-Belgium and Sweden meet in Waalwijk. 


Focusing on the GBR-ROU-GER competition, this was held on Saturday in Ulm, Germany. We were expecting big things from the Romanian side and they didn't disappoint. Obviously, for the British side, their 2nd meet in 2 weeks, always going to be tiring but they put up a strong fight against Germany but we always knew Romania were going to be the front runners with 174.25 team total, 12.5 higher than second place Germany. I'm very surprised Germany made 2nd place because they only had 3 all-arounders compared to Great Britain's 5 but Romania also stuck with 3 all-arounders. Germany edged out Great Britain by less than 2 points so it was always going to be a tough battle. 


Moving to the all-around side of it, Romania's star Larisa Iordache won fair and square. She put up a 6.8 D score on beam, with her lowest score being 14.55 on floor giving her an amazing 59.75. Who could follow this performance with 2nd place? Well, 2010 World athlete Kim Bui could. Bui gave her all with only a 5.0 start on vault but made up for it on the bars, with her highest score,  14.65. After the bars, we saw her fall on the beam after a tricky double spin but she pulled back on floor with a 13.7, giving her a 55 total. Iordache's competitor Diana Bulimar was the bronze medalist. She had higher D scores to Kim but the Uneven Bars was always going to be her downside, she scored 12.15 and lost to Bui by 0.25. 


all-around (Top 10);

1. Larisa Iordache
2. Kim Bui
3. Diana Chelaru
4. Niamh Rippin
5. Elisabeth Seitz
6. Jocelyn Hunt
7. Ruby Harold
8. Isabelle Marquard
9. Charlotte Lindsley
10. Kelly Simm

After, the 10th mark, it was 2-3 apparatus girls then the 1 apparatus girls. 

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NED--SWE

Also on Saturday, Netherlands and Sweden saw each other in a duo-meet with senior, junior and youth competitions. The contenders were obviously going to be Netherlands, being on home turf but also having higher difficulty in the field and that's what they did. In the junior women's team competition, Netherlands claimed victory against the Swedish side, by a clear 7 point margin. The senior team results don't appear to be here.

In the Senior all-around, it was Netherlands only, Veteran Joy Goedkoop took the title good, consistent scores throughout. First year Lisa Top was the second placed gymnast. 

1. Joy Goedkoop
2. Lisa Top
3. Maartje Ruikes
4. Melissa Scherpenisse
5. Lieke Wevers
6. Wyomi Maesela
7. Celine Van Gerner

Lieke, Wyomi and Celine didn't compete full all-around but it was good to see Celine back in competition after her injury at Worlds. Celine put up a 6.2 D Score on bars and 14.9, so she is obviously back to good performances.

Moving to the junior and youth side of the meet, we saw some good performances across the board but in the Junior competition it was Netherland's Eythora Thorsdottir. Eythora has always been one of the strongest juniors since 2010. She started 13.50 on vault, then we a D score of 4.5 on bars, she scored in the high 12s. 5.4 was her starter score on beam but she scored 12.5 and rounded off her competition on floor with 13.45. 55.0 was a very impressive score for someone only in the Junior rankings. 1st-2nd-3rd was very tight with only 0.8 separating 1st to 3rd, but it was Dutch Chantysha Netteb that struck silver. 14.3 on vault was the highlight of her day but she was 0.4 out of Thorsdottir's 55.0 but still a very respectable 51.6 from her. It was Dutch 1-2-3 with Jin Yi Hoekstra taking the bronze. Her D scores were significantly lower but she managed 51.2 total. 

Lovisa Esterberg (SWE) took the 4th place, Daphne Slingerland 5th and 6th was Zanna Overbeek. 

The youth competition was 10-12 year olds. Mara Titsorley was the winner with 47.35. 2nd was Helen Houlbraken and the bronze went to Dyonnaliys Supriana.

There is highlights from this meet on youtube.

This meet has given the girls from Netherlands a good experience because the Junior girls are going to the 2012 European Gymnastics Championships. On the roster for the seniors is;

Van Gerner

Masela

Top

Goedkoop

Ruikes

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OSIJEK 2012- FINALS

This event has been very anticipated, it is the Osijek Zito World Cup. I have too say this World Cup has had the most publicity in the whole year. The level of gymnastics didn't disappoint either. We saw many nations battle for individual titles. 

On our facebook page, we have uploaded many pictures of the competition over the weekend so check them out.

VAULT FINAL

We had a strong field for this final, Steingruber and Black with newcomers Grisane, Muelhausser and Rothe.

1. Ellie Black
2. Giulia Steingruber
3. Lais Souza
4. Tijana Tklacec
5. Nadia Muelhausser
6. Valerija Grisane
7. Mikaela Gerber
8. Ida Rothe

I'm very happy for Black because she has been so great considering she hasn't been on the senior circuit for 1/2 a year yet and she has won numerous medals over the past 4 months of Senior debut. Steingruber had 2 cracking vaults, a sky high Handspring 1/2 and she even debuted a new 2nd vault, tsuk 1.5. Giulia only lost to Black by about 0.4, so not a big margin. It's also nice to have 2008 Olympian Lais Sousa back.

BARS FINAL

I'm surprised this final didn't give us the highest level of bar work. We had the big names Lee, Pihan and Millousi but the rest of the field really didn't live up to the standard. Peng Peng Lee was in a class of her own though. Her lines were right on handstand and the form was just excellent. She topped the leaderboard with 14.475. Following that was Pihan who managed a good, clean performance to win her a silver medal with 13.8. 3rd place was the veteran of all World Cup, Jana Sikulova, who scored 13.575.

1. Christine Lee
2. Marta Pihan
3. Jana Siikulova
4. Silvia Colussi-Pelaez
5. Vasiliki Millousi
6. Elisa Hammerle
7. Jessica Diacci
8. Valeria Pereyra

BEAM FINAL


          1. Giulia Steingruber (SUI) 14.075
          2. Vasiliki Millousi (GRE) 13.900
          3. Jessica Diacci (SUI) 13.825

1. 4. Christine Lee (CAN); Teja Belak (SLO) 13.400
   6. Silvia Colussi Pelaez (ESP) 13.325
   7. Maria Homolova (SVK) 13.000
   8. Tina Erceg (CRO) 11.900

1.	Ellie Black		5.7	8.025		13.725
2.	Giulia Steingruber		5.5	8.225		13.725
3.	Silvia Colussi-Pelaez		5.3	8.300		13.600
4.	Christine Lee		5.7	7.675		13.375
5.	Tina Erceg		5.4	7.975	0.1	13.275
6.	Saša Golub		5.4	7.850		13.250
7.	Elisa Hämmerle		5.1	7.825		12.925
8.	Nikola Chung		4.8	7.025		11.825

(intl gymnast)

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UK SCHOOL GAMES: START LIST

May 6th-9th is the Sainsbury's UK School Games. This is a heated and prestigious competition against England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The official start list (roster) for the games has been announced. We are missing the likes of Charlie Fellows (ENG) and Angel Romaeo (WAL) because they'll be out in Brussels for the Jr. Euros but we have others like Ellie Downie (ENG) and Shannon Archer (SCO). 

http://www.2012schoolgames.com/GymnasticsSquadList2012SG.pdf is the link too see the gymnasts roster.

Shannon Archer (SCO)

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EUROPEANS 2012: ROSTER


Courtesy of Intlgymnast, we have the Junior and Senior Europeans roster. There are over 250 gymnasts competing at this competition. I have a feeling it's going to be good;

SENIORS Barbara Gasser Elisa Hämmerle Jasmin Mader Katharina Fa Julie Croket Gaelle Mys Terri Grand'ry Eline Vandersteen Lisa Verschueren Anastasia Marachkovskaya Olga Mokhovtsova Alina Sotnikava Liliya Khoang Anastasia Yekimenko Ralitsa Mileva Valentina Rashkova Tijana Tkalcec Tina Erceg Ema Kajic Stella Petran Dina Madir Kristyna Palesova Jana Sikulova Michelle Vitting Lauritsen Mia Abildgaard Furu Laerke Sanjana Andersen Yasmin El-Dabagh Mathilde Emilie Kirk Ana Maria Izurieta Beatriz Cuesta Maria Paula Vargas Claudia Menendez Silvia Colussi-Pelaez Rosanna Ojala Ida Laisi Erika Pakkala Maija Leinonen Mira Boumejmajen Youna Dufournet Anne Kuhm Valentine Sabatou Sophia Serseri Beth Tweddle Hannah Whelan Jennifer Pinches Danusia Francis Imogen Cairns Kim Bui Oksana Chusovitina Lisa-Katharina Hill Nadine Jarosch Elisabeth Seitz Vasiliki Millousi Paschalina Mitrakou Dimitra Stamatiadou Myropi Christofilaki Andriana Syrigou Antoniou Dorina Boczogo Tünde Csillag Dorina Jelencsics Laura Gombas Luca Diveky Emma Lunn Sophie Mc Coo Sarah Buckley Hildur Olafsdottir Johanna Rakel Jonasdottir Norma Dogg Robertsdottir Thelma Rut Hermannsdottir Tinna Odinsdottir Valeria Maksyuta Hadas Koren Nofar Cohen Noam Blorian Ofir Nezer Vanessa Ferrari Erika Fasana Francesca Deagostini Giorgia Campana Carlotta Ferlito Viktorija Grisane Laura Svilpaite Ana Koniuchovaite Mara Kimmel Aline Bernar Dorina Velisco Céline Van Gerner Wyomi Masela Lisa Top Joy Goedkoop Maartje Ruikes Nora Munkvold Haldis Naerum Silje Kathrine Dahlby Tina Madeleine Larsen Marta Pihan-Kulesza Katarzyna Jurkowska Monika Frandofert Joanna Litewka Zoi Lima Ana Filipa Martins Ekaterina Kislinskaya Alexandra Choon Rita Limao Oliveira Sandra Izbasa Catalina Ponor Larisa Iordache Diana Chelaru Diana Bulimar Aliya Mustafina Viktoria Komova Anastasia Grishina Ksenia Afanasyeva Anastasia Sidorova Adela Sajn Sasa Golob Teja Belak Fiona Novak Ivana Kamnikar Giulia Steingruber Nadia Mülhauser Jessica Diacci Sarina Gerber Caterina Barloggio Maria Homolova Jonna Adlerteg Ida Gustafsson Veronica Wagner Ida Rothe Victoria Genberg Goksu Uctas Sema Fidel Aslan Demet Mutlu Krystyna Sankova Maria Livchikova Yevgenia Cherniy Alina Fomenko Natalia Kononenko

JUNIORS Olivia Jochum Eileen Lamprecht Jacqueline Schmidt Jessica Stabinger Jitske De Herdt Mathilde Schoonbroodt Berengere Fransolet Laura Waem Ellen Rabaut Katsiaryna Fiadutsik Yulia Khramiankova Dayana Hryhoryeva Hlafira Kazimirskaya Anatasia Azarzhytskaya Ana Derek Ana Poscic Elija Valentic Karmen Koljanin Petra Furac Petra Fialova Roxana Popa Claudia Colom Carolina Sanchez Laura Gamell Natalia Ros Julia Jäkälä Patricia Hämäläinen Tiia Laisi Veronika Vuosjoki Annina Muilu Clara Chambellant Claire Martin Valentine Pikul Maelys Plessis Louise Vanhille Abigail Caig Gabrielle Jupp Charlie Fellows Angel Romaeo Raer Theaker Tamara Chachua Alina Ehret Nicole Ster Pauline Schaefer Sophie Scheder Nadja Schulze Evangelia Plyta Martha Verra Konstantina Apospori Maria Simou Maria Tsantekidou Noémi Makra Beata Eke Boglarka Toth Aisa Kajouk Nikolett Karsai Sarah Beck Ciara Roberts Andrea Ros Jonsdottir Freyja Hunfjord Josepsdottir Katrin Myrra Thrastardottir Sigridur Hronn Berthorsdottir Gudrun Georgsdottir Elisa Meneghini Enus Mariani Lara Mori Tea Ugrin Martina Rizzelli Anastasija Vinnicka Sabine Gosa Sabine Kornijanova Vaida Zitineviciute Alisa Zujeva Evelina Obrozcova Chantysha Netteb Jin Yi Hoekstra Sanna Overbeek Eythora Thorsdottir Shirley Van Deene Katarina Nilsen Ronbeck Sofie Skattun Bjorg Eli Oymo Anna Bakken Worpvik Dina Natalie Nygaard Maria Rauta Cristina Tudorache Alina Stanila Paula Ciobanu Silvia Zarzu Yevgenia Shelgunova Maria Kharenkova Yulia Tipayeva Yekaterina Baturina Victoria Kuzmina Sara King Tamara Mrdjenovic Anic Ilic Ilaria Käslin Laura Schulte Nicole Hitz Eliane Schreiber Conny Giussani Barbora Mokosova Ece Ayan Emma Larsson Kim Singmuang Stina Lovisa Estberg Julia Rumbutis Kamile Ahsen Goktekin Olena Vasylieva Daria Matveyeva Daria Kloptsova Anastasia Ilnytska Yana Fedorova

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That's your monday miscellany complete.


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