Der 21 Jahre alte Student Martin Konecny ist Mitglied des hauptstädtischen Sportklub 'Hradčany Praha' (Hradschin Prag) und gehörte zur EM 2005 in Debrecen zu den europäischen Top-Ten im Mehrkampf.
'Dieser Rekordversuch hier am Reck war mal eine Idee, um meinen Fans zu zeigen, dass ich hart arbeiten kann und auf gutem Wege zur Weltmeisterschaft in Melbourne bin,', sagte Martin Konecny.
Trainiert wird der derzeit beste tschechische Turner in Prag von Trainer Oldrich Otrava und ist neben seinen höchsten sportlichen Zielen auch noch auf Sponsorensuche...
... ursprünglich begonnen hatte Klein-Martin einst mit Eishockey, '... aber schon längst ist das Turnen für mich die absolute Nr. 1 - und klar, mein Ziel sind die Olympischen Spiele in Peking 2008!'
Quelle: progym/Cze; Foto: Pavel Rycl

So war z.B. auch die Ukraine war in den vergangenen Jahren meist auf den Podestplätzen am SWISS CUP zu finden, in diesem Jahr war es wegen der Wirren im Ukrainischen Turnverband schwierig, eine definitive Verpflichtung vorzunehmen. Dank hartnäckigem Nachhaken gelang es jedoch dem Verantwortlichen für die Athletenverpflichtung Ruedi Hediger vom STV doch ein ukrainisches Team an den Start zu bringen.

Rumänien ist eine der weltbesten Turnnationen und hat den SWISS CUP in den letzten vier Jahren immer als Sieger verlassen. In diesem Jahr ist es jedoch mit Trainerentlassungen, Rücktritten und der Auflösung des Nationalteams Frauen zum grossen Eklat im Rumänischen Turnverband gekommen. Die beiden mehrfachen Olympiasiegerinnen von Athen Catalina Ponor (SWISS CUP Siegerin 2004) und Monica Rosu (SWISS CUP Siegerin 2002) wurden aus dem Nationalkader ausgeschlossen. Dank großen Bemühungen konnte trotzdem ein Team Rumänien verpflichtet werden.

The team of TuS Chemnitz-Altendorf especially impressed on uneven bars (25.300) and floor (26.000). On these apparatuses Susann Herbst qualified as best athlete with 9.300 and 8.900, respectively, for Saturday’s apparatus finals.
The gymnasts of Fredericks Gymnastics Club from USA convinced with beautifully choreographed floor routines and stable performances on balance beam (25.400). Kelcie Morris, third of the all-around, scored best with 8.900.
With an excellent team performance the Egyptian Gymnastics Federation achieved the best team score of this competition on vaulting table with 26.200 points. With 8.850 points Radwa Ali El Gohary qualified as best performer for the apparatus final on Saturday evening.

In total, 180 gymnasts from seven nations enter the competitions of the fourth International Alsterpokal in Hamburg, Germany.

Report Apparatus Finals, 24-09-2005
Vaulting Table
Julia Hänel of TuS Chemnitz-Altendorf (GER) won the vault final with a high handspring-piked somersault as first vault and as second the same vault with an additional half turn (8.500). Nourhan Ahmed El Sayed of Egypt Gymnastics Federation followed on the second rank performing as first vault an Jurtshenko with full turn and piked somersault and as second a Jurtshenko layout (8.425). Kelsey Johannides of Frederick Gymnastics Club (USA) placed third with two excellently executed vaults (8.350): Jurtshenko layout as well as Jurtshenko tucked with full turn.
In total, four out of six finalists performed at least one round-off vault.

Uneven Bars
With a beautifully performed routine Susann Herbst of TuS Chemnitz-Altendorf (GER) triumphed in the bars final and showed a stable Tsukahara as dismount (8.500). The second place went to Nesma Ahmed El Sayed of Egypt Gymnastics Federation, who performed the most difficult routine with a start value of 9.800 points (8.450). With some distance Jenny Brunner of Tus Chemnitz-Altendorf followed as third despite a fall off the apparatus (7,750).
Gienger-Salto was the standard flying element.

Balance Beam
In the beam final Kelcsey Morris of Frederick Gymnastics Club (USA) convinced both judges and audience with a stable and versatile routine. She achieved the day’s highest score (8,737). Her team-mate Kelsey Joannides completed the American dual leadership with 8.450 points. Radwa Ali El Gohary of Egypt Gymnastics Federation placed third (8.125).

Floor
Winning the floor final, Jenny Brunner assured the third title for TuS Chemnitz-Altendorf (8700). She perfromed cleanly, even though the audience favoured the expression and beautifully and originally choreographed routines of both runner-ups: Nourhan Ahmed El Sayed of Egypt Gymnastics Federation performed elegantly (8.475), Kelcie Morris of Frederick Gymnastics Club (USA) won favour through her expressive interpretation (8.200), which was only topped by her team-mate and yesterday’s all-around winner Lisa Reifschneider, who lost all chances to win after a fall.

In the all-around Sandy Effat Shehata (EGY) of Cairo Gymnastics Federation presented herself highly talented: She placed first with a healthy margin (35.500) and especially elated the audience with her expressively performed floor routine: Here, the ten-year-old demonstrated with two double somersaults (tucked and piked) and layouts with turns an excellent training. Her team-mate Israa Ahmed Afifi followed as second with 32.750 points ahead of Derya Onus of TG Mannheim (GER; 31.050).

The all-around was won by Lisa-Katharina Hill (TuS Chemnitz-Altendorf, GER) with 32.400 points, ahead of Janine Hardt of TV Hoffnungsthal (GER; 32.350) and Farida Ahmed Ibrahim Shokry of Cairo Gymnastics Federation (EGY; 32.250).

The Elite's Team Competition, 23-09-2005
The team of TuS Chemnitz-Altendorf especially impressed on uneven bars (25.300) and floor (26.000). On these apparatuses Susann Herbst qualified as best athlete with 9.300 and 8.900, respectively, for Saturday’s apparatus finals.
The gymnasts of Fredericks Gymnastics Club from USA convinced with beautifully choreographed floor routines and stable performances on balance beam (25.400). Kelcie Morris, third of the all-around, scored best with 8.900.
With an excellent team performance the Egyptian Gymnastics Federation achieved the best team score of this competition on vaulting table with 26.200 points. With 8.850 points Radwa Ali El Gohary qualified as best performer for the apparatus final on Saturday evening.
The elite’s all-around was won by Lisa Reifscheider (Fredericks Gymnastics Club, USA) with 33.70 points. Jenny Brunner (33.50) of TuS Chemnitz-Altendorf and Kelcie Morris (32.90) of Fredericks Gymnastics Club, USA, followed on the medal ranks.

International Junior Gymnastics Competition - Yokohama/JPN, Sep 18 - 19 -
Reported by Takako KOBAYASHI
On 18th September 33 gymnasts from 10 countries (Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Korea, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, USA included Japan gathered for this competiton.
Men's indivisual champion is Mingshen LIANG (CHN), 2nd place is Tatsuki NAKASHIMA (JPN) and 3rd place is Andrei ISAYEV(UKR).
The Japanese Tatsuki NAKASHIMA was same place in All Japan Junior Championships last month and he is also East Assia Junior Champion. Also the Cinese Mingshen LIANG (CHN) will be good rival near future in Asia. However, both of them must be consolidating more about technical value before becoming senior.

Women's individual champion is Natasha KELLEY (USA)
On 2nd place came her teammate Binaca FLOHR (USA) and on 3rd Sandra Raluca IZBASA (ROM).
Two American are powerful and their exercises are very sovereign . But if IZBASA didn't mistake result should bea little bit changed....
Also the German gymnasts were under the top ten, like Marie HINDERMANN (7th) and Anja BRINKER (9th.
The German coach Mr. Dieter KOCH said: 'It is good result for for German gymnasts, because it is the first time entry International Junior Competition just like this. And all of them entry final - ... It's great.'
Report & Photos by GYMmedia correspondent Takako Kobayashi

Similar destinies...
Three years after the Paris-Dakkar Race 2000, when retired Austrian multiple Motocross World Champion (1984, 250ccm MX-class) Heinz Kinigadner - today sports director at world famous (motor-)cycling sports brand 'KTM' - set an end to his career; his 20 year old son Hannes seriously injured himself at a charity race, in an accident similar to the training accident of German national gymnastics team member Ronny Ziesmer, both remaining paraplegic ('Tetraplegics') since.

From the time when the accident happened, his father, Heinz Kinigadner, planned creating a foundation, being tremendously supported by Austrian trademark beverages company Red Bull, the 'Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation'.
Recently both parts have established contact.

Hopeful research results prior to clinical trials...
In attendance of scientific experts, like Prof. Dr. Hans Werner Müller from the University of Düsseldorf, Dr. Jan Schwab (Wings for Life) and the Neuraxo Board of Management, Dr. Susanne Hermanns (Head of the Department of Research , Neuraxo Biotec) lectured on the current state of research just prior to the start of clinical trials with neurological drug 'Cordaneurin', trials also involving Dr. Andreas Niedeggen

Ronny is going to meet up both with likewise paralyzed Hannes Kinigadner as well as with the stars of the international motor sporting scene: as with Ralf Schumacher, David Coulthard, Juan-Pablo Montoya or Niki Lauda, all of them actively supporting 'Wings for Life'.
(c) gymmedia; E. Herholz

20. INTERNATIONALER GWG-CUP 2005
- Cottbus, Lausitz-Arena, 17. - 18. September -

AA-Winner of the juniors age group 15 - 18 years was the member of the German Juniors National team, Brian Gladow (167) from Berlin, the third from last years competition, followed by the Ukrainian all-around junior champion, the 16-years (!) old Nikolai Kuksenkow from Kiev.
The four times national champion of Ukraine won also three appratus finals at the last day in Cottbus.
On third place came the strong Swiss Manuel Rickly from Solothurn.

ALL-AROUND, AG,15 - 18
1. Brian Gladow (GER) 51,400
2. Nikolai Kursenkow (UKR) 51,00
3. Manuel Rickli (SUI) 48,750

4. Dmitrijs Trefilovs (LAT) 47,750
5. Reto Heierli (SUI) 47,550
6. Thomas Rawlinson (GBR) 46,650

RESULTS, 15 - 18
>> All-around, AG 15-18, all
>> ...AG 15-18, per Age group

>> Finals, AG 15 - 18

RESULTS, Age Group 11 - 14

All-around AG14
1. Rokas Guscinas (LTU) 49,500
2. Mischa Koudinow (NZL) 49,450
3. Kota Sato (JPN) 48,850

All-around AG 13
1. Ashley Watson (GBR) 46,400
2. Robin Michel (GER) 46,350
3. Michel Blettermann (NED) 46,250

RESULTS, 11 - 14 years

All-around AG 12
1. Arminas Grinius (LTU) 45,150
2. Janick Hitz (SUI) 45,00
3. Ricardo Gössel (GER)42,900)
Mehrkampf AG 11
1. Daniel Weinert (GER) 41,150

Detailed Results AG 11 - 14
>> All-around, AG 11-14, Results, all
>> All-around, AG 11-14, per age group

Final results, AG 11 - 14

First Day's Report
- by Vera Atkinson / Baga

Following a short and stylish piece of dance, symbolising the traditions of the UK’s home countries, the President of the UEG Dimitrios Dimitropulos opened the Congress and gave the floor for Welcoming messages, to the President of British Gymnastics Brian Stocks, Lord Mayor of Birmingham Cllr. John Hood and the President of the FIG, Prof. Bruno Grandi. Highlights of Prof. Bruno Grandi’s first address to the delegates for the day, were: the role of Gymnastics for All as “the mother of all sports” and the place of High Performance within gymnastics, today; the significance of the new International Code of Points in Artistic Gymnastics which will be introduced next year and the FIG Academies.

Following this, Prof. Bruno Grandi presented his second address to the delegates developing further his thoughts on collaboration between the international governing bodies (FIG and the Continental Unions).
His also spoke about the necessity for Justice and correctness in the process of taking decisions and in Judging across all disciplines, levels and events.
He spoke about the early years of the UEG when only 15 nations were members. Prof. Grandi described how success always comes from adversity and named Pierre Chabloz the founding President “a monument of the UEG”.
He praised the Technical Development Projects proposed by the European Union to the FIG and development of Training Centres, Training Camps, and Educational programmes which has already been initiated.
“Working towards increasing the Gymnastics knowledge and culture around the world is one of our top priorities”, said Grandi, 'adding to this, the importance of the development of the sport across all continents and last, but not least , keeping its image of Gymnastics through justice”.

Second Day's Report, Sep 10, 2005

Paul Garber (GBR) elected European Vice President
- by Vera Atkinson / Baga -

Dimitrios Dimitropoulos (GRE) was re-elected as the President of the UEG with an absolute majority of 39 votes, at the European Gymnastics Congress in Birmingham, on Saturday, 10th September 2005.

'I didn’t expect such a big number of votes, but the result shows that I have done my work well over the last two years', said Dimitropulos.

The newly elected members of the Executive Committee are as follows:
1. Sylvio Kroll (GER)- 28 votes (1st round)
2. Mrs. Malin Eggertz Forsmark (SWE)- 25 (1st round)
3. Rudolf Hediger (SUI)- 24 (1st round)
4. Manuel Boa de Jesus (POR) - 21 votes ( 2nd round)
5. Metin Sayin (TUR) - 20 ( 2nd round)
6. Antonio Esteban (ESP) - 18 ( 2nd round)
7. Igor Korobchynskyi (URK) - 18 ( 2nd round)

The General Assembly elected the following Technical Committees Presidents:
1. Marie-Paul Hoffmann (LUX)- Women’s Artistic Gymnastics TC
2. Gianfranco Marzolla (ITA)- Men’s Artistic Gymnastics TC
3. Heide Bruneder (AUS)- Rhythmic Gymnastics TC
4. Juhl Mogensen (DEN)-Trampoline TC Lawrence Colton (GBR) - Acrobatic Gymnastics TC
6. Maria Cristina Casentini (ITA)- Aerobic Gymnastics TC
7. Detlef Mann (GER)-General Gymnastics TC
8. Stefan Bengtsson (SWE) - (new !) TeamGym TC, and
.... Ivan Levak (SLO) is the new Control Authority President

.... in view of the fact that former gymnast Daniela Bártová – a friend of Komrsková – finished in 4th place in the pole vault event in Sydney...
and, besides, Jana’s elder sister Lucie Komrsková is presently a member of the Czech national Athletics/Track&Field Squad, finishing 8th in the longjump at the World University Games in Izmir (TUR).Thus: Two model examples for the now 22-year-old.

But back to gymnastics:
Jana was very unlucky, injuring herself just 10 months prior to the OG in Athens that badly on the landing of a vault that she was to receive surgery, being handicapped in such a manor that she showed up at the Olympic Games lacking any preparatory training or competition – consequently she was not expected to accomplish 'the unthinkable'.

Comeback at age 22...
And these days, just 3 months before the World Championships in Melbourne, their daughter Jana Komrsková resumes training gymnastics.
As a national perennial outperformer Jana was the Czech National Champion from 1997 onwards not supplanted but in 2005 by Kateřina Marešová and a new, young generation of gymnasts. Among those young talents such as Jana Šikulová (17), Kristýna Pálešová (16) or Eva Verbová (16) …
For those, Jana Komrsková of course stands for a role model, representing almost an 'Icon', yet also a good friend.
Ever since 1997, when Jana Komrskova even defeated world star Svetlana Khorkina at the DTB-Pokal, she acquired and built up a stock and value of experience, the Czech Republic’s National World Championships Team certaunly wants to derive benefit from.