Mazeika Named Men's US Team Head Coach

Image from USA Gymnastics. The United States Men's Program Committee has announced that Men's National Team Coordinator Kevin Mazeika will be the Head Coach for the United States Men's Team at the 2012 London Olympics. Mazeika will bring the experience of being the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Head Coach and also became the National Team Coordinator in 2009. Previously, he was the Men's Program Manager at the Houston Gymnastics Academy and owner of Mazeika's Elite Gymnastics.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

• 2004 Olympics, 2008 Olympics, 2012 Olympics: US Men's Head Coach
• 2009: Became Men's National Team Coordinator
• 2001, 2003, 2007, 2011 World Championships: US Men's Head Coach

70 Year Old Heads To Olympics

(Image and Information courtesy of www.perthnow.com.au)

Not Gymnastics News, but it is London Olympics related. If I am not watching Synchronized Swimming, Diving or any of the Gymnastics events at the Olympics then I admire the Equestrian events. It's a no-brainer because I grew up around horses and still do! Anyways, Japanese Equestrian superstar Hiroshi Hoketsu has qualified to the London Olympics - at 70 years old. Hoketsu who is based in Germany will turn 71 on March 28th, and qualified by taking out an International dressage meet in France last Thursday (1st March). He competed for Japan at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and became the Oldest Japanese Olympian when he participated in the 2008 Olympics where he was 67 years old. Hiroshi also qualified for the 1988 Seoul Olympics but had to withdraw after his horse was quarantined. 

Hoketsu is not the oldest Olympian however, that title goes to Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn who won a silver medal at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium at 72 years of age - his sixth medal in three Games. 

British Rhythmic Group Win Appeal!!

The seven member squad of the British Rhythmic Gymnastics group - Jade Faulkner, Rachel Smith, Lynne Hutchinson, Georgina Cassar, Annie Bartlett, Francesca Fox and Louisa Pouli - are set to be Olympics bound. The group was initially denied the Host Country place after they scored 0.273 points less than the target score (45.233) on the second day of the Rhythmic Gymnastics competition at the London Prepares Olympic Test Event after one of their ribbons became knotted. The following day the group easily attained 47.200 - scoring over the benchmark which was set at 82% of the winning score that Italy posted at the 2011 World Championships. You can read the official statement from British Gymnastics by clicking here.

Below is the reaction from the Gymnasts, courtesy of The Telegraph which you can see in full here: 

An independent arbitrator agreed with the gymnasts after hearing evidence from both sides at a daylong hearing in central London last Thursday. All seven gymnasts attended the hearing, where they were represented by Michael Beloff QC.
The news that they had won their appeal was broken to them by their solicitor, Julian Santos, at their training base at the University of Bath yesterday morning. The women had earlier taken the decision to hear their fate together.
Team member Georgina Cassar said: “We were all very nervous beforehand and we’d all brought our lucky mascots and everything. Then Julian told us, ‘You’d better be training hard because you’ve won your appeal’. As soon as we heard that, we were all just screaming and crying. It was very emotional. We’re all feeling very elated. We were just hoping and praying for so long and finally our prayers have been answered.”
Rachel Smith, the team captain, said: “There were a lot of tears again but this time they were happy tears. The last six weeks have been very tough and stressful. We’ve all been thinking about the arbitration but we’ve all tried to carry on training.”
British Gymnastics said it accepted the arbitrator’s ruling and that it would now be nominating the group for selection for London 2012.
The British Olympic Association also confirmed that it would contacting the international gymnastics federation to accept a host-nation place for the Olympic competition, which takes place at the Wembley Arena from Aug 10-12. It will be the first time Britain has been represented in rhythmic gymnastics at a Games.
In his written judgment, arbitrator Graeme Mew said his decision had nothing to do with sentiment and was based purely on the lack of clarity of British Gymnastics’ selection policy document, which he described as “not well drafted”. He said: “The document is repetitive, it uses inconsistent terminology and has a certain ‘cut and paste’ appearance.”
Jane Allan, the chief executive of British Gymnastics, said she believed the policy had been “transparent, fair and equitable” but respected the rights of athletes to appeal against it.
The gymnasts say they are now looking forward to concentrating on training and competing in the run-up to London 2012, and they received a boost last weekend by setting a record score by a British rhythmic gymnastic group to win the Nordic Cup in Halmstad, Sweden. This weekend they will take part in trials for the European Championships in May.

The rhythmic group is entirely self-funded and the gymnasts have had to rely on the support of their parents to train full time in Bath for the past six months. It is understood that several anonymous benefactors helped fund their legal costs.

Smith, who gave evidence on behalf of her team-mates, said: “Emotionally, we’ve all seen sides of people that we haven’t seen before and I think we’re stronger now as a team mentally, and on the carpet as well. We want to prove to British Gymnastics that they’ve made the right decision in putting us forward.“We’re going to be training harder than ever before. We just want  to perform to our highest standard and keep on improving until the Games."

Aus Gymnasts on Wide World of Sport

Australian Gymnastics has been profiled as part of the Wide World of Sports television show which airs every Sunday on Australia's Channel Nine. Their London Olympics website, details Emily Little and Lauren Mitchell as two to watch, however it was Mitchell who was profiled as part of the first Olympic Form Guide. The episode from 26th of February, 2012 can be seen here (http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/london-olympics/video/), unsure whether people from overseas can view this? I actually haven't seen it myself but apparently this first video has a brief video of Mitchell training and an interview with coach Martine George. The more recent profile, dated 4th of March, 2012, has interviews with Peggy Liddick, and profiles and interviews with Lauren Mitchell, Mary Anne Monckton and Emily Little. Also shown were Ashleigh Brennan, Georgia Rose Brown,  and Larrissa Miller. Liddick says that we have 20 Seniors registered for the National Championships where she will bring 10-12 of these back to the Selection Trials. The two males fighting for the one Olympic spot were also shown and interviewed and you can see their interview below with thanks to ThomasPichlerGymnast.

Leyva, Wieber Win American Cup Titles

Jordyn Wieber top scored on two events to take out the Women's title at the 2012 AT&T American Cup at Madison Square Garden. Alexandra Raisman was second with Romanian Larisa Iordache taking out the Bronze medal and top scoring on the Balance Beam. Raisman tied for top score on the Vault and rocked the Floor Exercise. However, it is Exhibition performer Gabrielle Douglas of Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute who has the Gymnastics community talking, after scoring 61.299 which unfortunately did not factor - but could Gabby be the surprise U.S. National Champion this year? Just putting it out there! 

Danell Leyva took the Men's title, with Ukrainian Mykola Kuksenkov and German Marcel Nguyen rounding out the medals. US Alternate and Exhibition competitor Christopher Brooks, unofficially ended in third place. John Orozco finished a disappointing fifth behind the three medalists and Great Britain's Daniel Purvis. Event top scorers were: Nguyen on Floor Exercise and Still Rings, Ukraine's Mykola Kuksenkov on Pommel Horse, with fellow Ukrainian Oleg Verniaiev rocking the Vault and Americans Orozco and Leyva topping the Parallel Bars and Horizontal Bars respectively. 

WOMEN'S ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS:

-- Gabrielle Douglas (15.866, 15.633, 15.100, 14.700) 61.299

1. Jordyn Wieber (USA) (16.100, 14.833, 14.966, 15.133) 61.032
2. Alexandra Raisman (USA) (16.100, 14.333, 14.966, 15.433) 60.832
3. Larisa Iordache (ROU) (14.866, 14.233, 15.400, 14.833) 59.332
4. Victoria Moors (CAN) (14.733, 13.033, 13.833, 14.766) 56.365
5. Diana Maria Chelaru (ROU) (14.500, 13.200, 14.000, 14.400) 56.100
6. Lisa Katharina Hill (GER) (14.100, 14.233, 13.500, 13.766) 55.599
7. Georgia Simpson (AUS) (14.100, 13.800, 13.300, 13.366) 54.566
8. Rebecca Tunney (GBR) (13.866, 13.900, 10.200, 14.166) 52.132

MEN'S ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS:

1. Danell Leyva (USA) (15.033, 14.433, 14.666, 15.633, 14.966, 15.933) 90.664
2. Mykola Kuksenkov (UKR) (14.966, 14.933, 15.000, 15.533, 14.866, 15.200) 90.498
3.  -- Christopher Brooks (14.900, 13.933, 14.833, 15.833, 14.900, 15.533) 89.932
4. Marcel Nguyen (GER) (15.266, 14.100, 15.133, 15.800, 14.800, 14.826) 89.925
5. Daniel Purvis (GBR) (15.200, 14.733, 14.733, 15.700, 14.900, 14.500) 89.766
6. John Orozco (USA) (14.366, 13.700, 14.633, 15.766, 15.500, 15.366) 89.331
7. Oleg Verniaiev (UKR) (14.766, 14.200, 13.900, 16.133, 15.200, 13.933) 88.132
8. Jackson Payne (CAN) (13.800, 13.533, 13.666, 14.100, 14.333, 14.766) 84.198
9. Ryuzo Sejima (JPN) (14.233, 12.900, 11.766, 15.400, 13.800, 11.533) 79.632

Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup

And we're off.... Huge 9.900 for McMurtry on Vault!! Juniors in Hot Pink Leotard and Seniors in Black. Congratulations to Dynamo's Charity Jones who took out the 3rd Nastia Liukin Cup with TIGAR Gymnastics superstar Polina Shchennikova tying with Richmond Olympiad's Alexandra McMurtry for second. Reigning champ Grace Williams of Gedderts' Twistars USA coming fourth. Well done to all!!

ALL AROUND:

1. Charity Jones (9.775, 9.375, 9.625, 9.300) 38.075
2. Polina Shchennikova (9.425, 9.550, 9.450, 9.450),  Alexandra McMurtry (9.900, 9.050, 9.575, 9.350) 37.875
3. 
   
4. Grace Williams (9.600, 9.375, 9.475, 9.300) 37.750
5. Lauren Beers (9.650, 9.175, 9.525, 9.350) 37.700
6. Nia Dennis (9.550, 9.150, 9.350, 9.500) 37.550
7. Randii Wyrick (9.500, 9.300, 9.350, 9.200) 37.350
8. Baely Rowe (9.450, 9.350, 9.300, 9.225) 37.325
9. Emily Brauckmuller (9.425, 9.725, 9.225, 9.350) 37.275
10. Caitlin Atkinson (9.725, 9.050, 9.225, 9.250),  Alicia Boren (9.600, 8.900, 9.200, 9.550) 37.250
11. 
    
12. Wynter Childers (9.225, 9.125, 9.700, 9.150),  Briley Casanova (9.475, 9.100, 9.075, 9.550)  37.200
13. 
    
14. Lisa Burt (9.200, 9.225, 9.275, 9.325) 37.025
15. Alyssa Shermetaro (9.525, 9.200, 9.050, 9.100) 36.875
16. Lauren Ramirez (9.300, 9.000, 9.300, 9.150) 36.750
17. Kristen Nogacki (9.525, 8.875, 9.075, 9.250) 36.725
18. Lauren Marinez (9.150, 8.850, 9.625, 9.050) 36.675
19. Sydney McGlone (9.375, 8.750, 9.325, 9.150) 36.600
20. Jessica Ling (9.000, 8.975, 9.325, 9.100) 36.400
21. Kari Lee (9.300, 8.800, 9.375, 8.850), Alexis Cappalli (9.375, 8.750, 8.950, 9.250) 36.325
22. 
    
23. Felicia Hano (9.500, 8.925, 8.550, 9.250) 36.225
24. Meredith Sylvia (8.725, 9.350, 8.900, 9.225) 36.200
25. Alexandria Ruiz (9.150, 8.350, 9.325, 9.300) 36.125
26. Ashleigh Gnat (9.725, 7.650, 9.600, 9.125) 36.100
27. Charlie Owens (9.125, 9.200, 9.300, 8.450) 36.075
28. Hollie Minichiello (9.225, 8.800, 9.225, 8.750) 36.000
29. Kathryn Kluz (9.200, 8.825, 8.600, 9.100) 35.725
30. Kendall Moss (8.800, 8.575, 9.300, 8.950), Alyssa Nocella (9.075, 8.100, 9.275, 9.175) 35.625
31. 
    
32. Kennedi Edney (9.300, 8.650, 8.800, 8.750) 35.500
33. Lauren Bancroft (9.025, 8.675, 8.900, 8.650) 35.250
34. Taylor Rice (9.150, 7.125, 9.600, 9.125) 35.000

Leyva to Compete Despite Having Stitches

World Champion on Parallel Bars, Danell Leyva will be competing at this weekend's AT&T American Cup with facial stitches. Read below for the full details, thanks to espn.com

World parallel bars champion Danell Leyva of Miami will compete in the prestigious AT&T American Cup event at Madison Square Garden on Saturday with dozens of stitches in his face after being bitten by one of his family's dogs 10 days ago.
Leyva's agent, Tara Modlin, told ESPN.com that Leyva, 20, was alone at the family home in Miami on Feb. 20 when their three American Bulldogs began fighting in the yard.
Leyva had been cautioned by his father and coach, Yin Alvarez, not to intervene when he saw the dogs engaging in aggressive play. But Leyva was alarmed at their behavior and tried to break them up by holding one of the dogs.
As another dog lunged at him, the dog Levya was holding turned on him and bit the right side of his face in the ear and jaw area.
The Cuban-born gymnast called 911 and received immediate medical treatment. A plastic surgeon sewed his face back together, and Modlin said Leyva has "two layers of stitches -- between 80 and 100, I don't think he even knows how many."
Leyva, an animal lover who also has a pet tarantula named Rosie, refused to consider euthanizing the dog, saying the incident was his own fault.
Modlin said Leyva wanted to work out the next day, but his father made him take a couple of days off and would not allow him to perform any upside-down moves in his first training session.
However, the agent said Leyva, the 2011 U.S. all-around champion, is in "great shape" and very eager to compete in New York, where he and fellow Olympic hopeful John Orozco will represent the U.S. men.
World all-around gold medalist Jordyn Wieber and floor exercise bronze medalist Alexandra Raisman will compete for the U.S. on the women's side in the elite international event, which includes athletes from Australia, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Romania and Ukraine.
Bonnie D. Ford covers Olympic sports for ESPN.com.