Artistic Gymnastics

Cirque du Soleil in close contact with the international gymnastics scene

31. Juli 2009  
Montreal, Canada  
Artistic Gymnastics

Cirque du Soleil in close contact with the international gymnastics scene

The famous Canadian "Cirque du Soleil" - online partner of the European Gymnastic Service "GYMmedia INTERNATIONAL - informed in his topical and last NEWSLETTER 07-2009 about its manifold activities to the international gymnastics scene and also about the forthcoming dates and the next auditions in September (Las Vegas) and October (Portugal and Australia)...
* ... read more on >> Casting Newsletter 07/2009
end

Belu wants to resign from Romanian Ministry Post

27. Juli 2009  
Bucharest, Romania  
Artistic Gymnastics

Belu wants to resign from Romanian Ministry Post

Octavian BELU, one of the world's most successfully gymnastic coach

Will Belu abandon his position...?
Former gymnastics coach Octavian Belu asked this month for permission to resign from the position of state secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the romaniantimes wrote.
Belu said it was impossible to work in a system that was "blocked and had no future."
Belu said he had not discussed his resignation with Prime Minister Emil Boc or with Youth and Sports Minister Monica Iacob Ritzi.  Boc said Belu’s request was not linked to Ritzi’s situation.
She faces possible prosecution for embezzlement and abuse of office, the online magazin romaniantimes wrote.
end

The former Czech national Coach Vladimir PROROK became 80

30. Juli 2009  
Prague, Czech Republic  
Artistic Gymnastics

The former Czech national Coach Vladimir PROROK became 80

Vladimir Prorok
(Foto, Archive 1983)

In the capital of the Czech Republik, Prague celebrated Vladimir PROROK, the first European Champion of artistic gymnastic and the vice European Champion on the still rings (Ist Europeans in Frankfurt 1955) his 80th birthday on Tuesday (July 28).
Since1958 caused the national coach of the former CSR an upswing of artistic gymnastics in his country, which reached its climax in the 1960´s with the success of Eva BOSAKOVA, the Olympic balance beam winner in Rome (1960) and with the eight Olympic Gold medals of Vera CASLAVSKA in Tokyo (1964) and Mexiko-City (1968).
In the beginning of the 1980´s he was also in charge as the national coach for the (western-) German women...
The former German gymnastics supervisor Hans-Juergen Zacharias brought PROROK to Germany with his wife Alena (born as Tinterova), who had the reputation as a great balance beam coach. All of this already took place in 1981 so that the Czech strategist could prepare the German female gymnasts for the World Championchips.

Vladimir PROROK, 1984: ... showed the German athletes the way to the top!
Gymnast from the left Heike Schwarm, Anja Wilhelm;
in the back: Astrid Beckers, Angela Golz

In consequens of this Prorok changed existing structures and introduced things that were in his opinion indispensable if trying to compete on an international level. So he opend for example the boarding school like housing for the athletes in the base for competitive sports in Frankfurt...
This might be one of the reasons for the increases successes as could be seen in the results of the 1983 World Championships (Budapest, 8th rank) and the Olympic Games 1984 (Los Angeles, 4th rank, without socialist countries participating).
A few things he implemented were not supported by the mainly on mass sport focused sport functionaries of the German Gymnastics Federation, ...
... but he also did not only earn sympathy from the ranks of the local coaches and clubs.

"If you want to be on the first rank in the world, then you have to train harder than everyone else" - was his motto.
Eventually he created an area of conflict in the former west European society in which methods like central advancement and the regulation of processes concerning competitive sports were very unusual. On the one hand international success was desired but on the other hand no one was aware of the needed structures to promote this and its consequences ( ... which seems still to be a problem in a few sports associations.)
After the climax of the Western German female artistic gymnastics with the 11th rank at the 1985 World Championships in Montreal  problems started to increase. The German Gymnastics Federation (DTB) took this occasion as a reason to realease the Czech from his duties at the beginning of 1987.
After the 15th rank in Rotterdam at the Olympic qualification for Seoul 1988 was not reached, Wolfgang Bohner  was put in charge for the next Olympic cycle.

Until today one is said that the times in which the Czech female gymanstics deserved the titel as the world class, next to the Soviet, Rumanian and East-Germans, are over.
Vladimir PROROK was one of the fathers of this former success!
In spring 2009 he was awarded the "Tibi Gracias" medal by the National Czech Olympic Committee. 
Today the pensioner and his wife Alena live in Prague as an active gardener. He already noted saidly that the chances for a Czech medal are not very good in this time...!
(c) Eckhard Herholz, GYMmedia INTERNATIONAl.

SUSPENSION AND REPRIMAND FOR THE NATIONAL FEDERATION

18. Juli 2009  
Lausanne, Switzerland  
Artistic Gymnastics

SUSPENSION AND REPRIMAND FOR THE NATIONAL FEDERATION

fig-press: -- In reference to a case file submitted to the FIG Disciplinary Commission on March 18, 2009, the FIG Presidential Commission has rendered its decision.
Gymnast Shih-Hui Chiu (TPE) is suspended for a period of 24 months, ...
... starting from the day of the doping test on November 3, 2008 up to and including November 2, 2010. Competing for Chinese Taipei, Mr CHIU Shih-Hui (18 years old) tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic included on the list of prohibited substances and methods established by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The FIG Presidential Commission's decision may be appealed to the FIG Appeal Tribunal within 21 days of the date of this notification, or August 4, 2009 in this case. Furthermore, the national gymnastics federation of Chinese Taipei was reprimanded with an accompanying heavy fine for repeatedly failing to communicate with the FIG and neglecting to assist its gymnast.
* Source: fig-news

Japan in front of China and Germany at Japan Cup Kohei UCHIMURA in front of Fabian Hambüchen at all-around

19. Juli 2009  
Chiba, Japan  
Artistic Gymnastics

Japan in front of China and Germany at Japan Cup Kohei UCHIMURA in front of Fabian Hambüchen at all-around


Kohei UCHUMURA (JPN),
best of all-around

The Japanese Men's Team - 2004 Olympic Champion in Athens and silver medallist 2008 in Beijing - won the team competition of the 2009 JAPAN CUP in Chiba (JPN) this weekend. With a score of 275.500 JAPAN beat the topical Olympic Champion CHINA with a difference of 1.65 points. Behind the "duel of the giants" the GERMAN Team came on third place with  a score of 266,800 points, but a clearly difference of more than 7 points. Participating the best 6 nations of the last Olympic Games, Russia came on fourth (266.150), Korea on fifth (260.400) and Beijing's bronze medallist USA on sixth place (258.550).
In the women's competition, CHINA (171.200) narrowly defeated RUSSIA (171.100) by one tenth of a point. JAPANESE women's team won the bronze.
At the venue of Makahuri-Messe in Chiba the all-around decision followed on second day:
The Olympic silver medallist  Kohei UCHIMURA (JPN) won with a score of 92.750.

JAPAN CUP 2009
 - Makuhari-Messe, Chiba, July 18 / 19
________________________________________ 

On second rank followed the vice world champion of 2007, Stuttgart, the German Fabian HAMBUECHEN, in front of the next Japanese, Kazuhito TANAKA.

* RESULTS, Men's Teams
1. JAPAN        - 275,50   (2)
2. CHINA         - 273,85   (1)
3. GERMANY - 266,80   (4)

4. RUSSIA      - 266,15  (6)
5. KOREA       - 260,40  (5)
6. USA             - 258,55  (3)
* - bracketed: the 2008 Olympic rank)
>> Detailed Results


* RESULTS, Men's All-around
1. Kohei UCHIMURA (JPN)            - 92,750
2. Fabian HAMBUECHEN  (GER)   - 92,100
3. Kazuhito TANAKA  (JPN)          - 90,850

  >> Detailed Results

JAPAN CUP 2009, Women's Competitions
______________________________________

From the Olympic top six nations of the  2008 Olympic Games missed the teams of Olympic silver medallist USA and the bronze medallist ROMANIA.
Participating nations in Chiba were Olympic Champion CHINA, the fourth placed RUSSIANS (4.), AUSTRALA (6.) and host JAPAN (5).

* RESULTS, Women's Teams
1. CHINA     - 171,200
2. RUSSIA   - 171,100
3. JAPAN     - 166,500

4. AUSTRALIA  - 159,850
>> Detailed Results

The Chinese made a hard fight against the resurgent young Russians, led bei the both two best European juniors of the last year's Europeans:

On women's side the Chinese HUANG Qishuang was successfully in front of the the two Russians, Aliya MUSTAFINA and Tatiana NABIEVA, the two best European juniors at the last year all-around competition of the European Championships in Clermont-Ferrand ...

* RESULTS, Women's All-around
1. HUANG Qiushuang (CHN)  - 58,900
2. Alija MUSTAFINA (RUS)      - 58,250
3. Tatiana NABIJEWA (RUS)  - 57,450

  >> Detailed Results

Yuri van GELDER suspended after Kokain Violation ...

14. Juli 2009  
Amsterdam, Netherlands  
Artistic Gymnastics

Yuri van GELDER suspended after Kokain Violation ...

van Gelder: ... power lifting...?!

The international specialist on rings, the Dutch gymnast Yuri van GELDER, acting European Champion 2009 in Milan and world champion (2005, Melbourne) has acknowledged using cocaine after he failed a drug test ahead of the Dutch National Championships (2009, June, Rotterdam).
In a press conference on Monday in Arnhem, July 13, he told the press, that he had use the drug "for fun", only and not to inhance his performance or achievment.
Van Gelder is member of the Flik-Flak Club of Den Bosch (NED). His coach is Bran van Bokhoven and van Gelder was in attendance of the Dutch Army.
Yesterday his article of employment at the army...
 .... was suspended and he faces a two-year ban from the sport.

After the Dutch Nationals he wrote a letter to the national Dutch Anti-Drug Agency and approved the breach of the rules ...
* Dutch correspondence

Sir Philip Craven met Ronny Ziesmer ...

18. Juli 2009  
Berlin, Germany  
Artistic Gymnastics

Sir Philip Craven met Ronny Ziesmer ...

SIR Philip CRAVEN, Ronny Ziesmer
in Berlin

At the end of the"International Paralympic Day" in Berlin, last weekend, the 2004 German Olympian Ronny ZIESMER, who, exactly five years ago (on 12th July 2004) suffered a devastating injury during a training camp of the German national Olympic team, and has had to remain in a wheelchair ever since – met with the President of the International Paralympic Committee, Sir Philip CRAVEN.
The most modern Accident and Emergency Hospital in Europe, the renowned "UKB", which was visited by Craven - himself participant in Swimming and Wheelchair Basketball during five Paralympic Games held between 1972 - '88 -  and where Ronny went through surgery and stayed for 10 months to recover and prepare for his new life, witnessed a lively exchange of ideas- including Ziesmer’s strong position on why Gymnastics, which has been a recognized Olympic discipline since 1896, is still not part of the Paralympic Games.

... a Hangar for a Helicopter with a special petrol station
... on a roof of an Emergency Hospital - one week before its official unveiling
Prof. Dr. med. Axel Ekkernkamp (2. v. re.), medical and managing Director of the UKB explained Sir Philip CRAVEN and Ronny ZIESMER this Innovation ; 2nd from left: Dr. Andreas NIEDEGGEN, who operated Ronny exactly five years ago...

Excellent impressions of the UKB
The high-ranked British guest was deeply impressed by what Ronny Ziesmer has gone through in his previous life;
by the high competence and expertise of the medical staff of the UKB; the logistical structure of this modern facility and its sophisticated technical possibilities.
The UKB was built only 12 years ago, and provides the best healthcare in various aspects of medicine and recovery.
For instance, the newly built Hangar for the UKB’s very own helicopter, was unveiled this week ...

Ziesmer, Craven: .. exchanging ideas

Craven, Ziesmer: ...historical discuss at a parallel bar

At the end of the extensive tour around the various departments revealing the outstanding services that this unique hospital can offer, a lively discussion and exchange of ideas followed.
Ronny ZIESMER addressed the question why, "his discipline" – Artistic Gymnastics, which is one of the most traditional sports in the Olympic program, as well as its younger offshoots, Rhythmic gymnastics and Trampoline, have not yet found a place in the prograpmme of the Paralympic Games.
He referred to the opportunities based on the experience of the British Gymnastics, who has developed the most advanced methodology, training and competition system for people with disabilities.
“Even if it didn’t relate to my own handicap, I would have supported strongly the idea about research, support and implementation of the British experience internationally.” said the former German National gymnast.

Sir Philip CRAVEN, with a Berlin mascott 'Buddy', met also the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Horst KÖHLER at the International Paralympic Day in Berlin

Ronny Ziesmer – Patron of the Paralympic future of Gymnastics
Thus, the former Artistic gymnast, pleads that the British GMPD model should be implemented by the German Gymnastics Union (DTB) and the other Gymnastics Governing Bodies throughout the world.
The first stage to this, in fact, should be the Training camp at the Federal Training Centre for High Performance in Kienbaum, when around 50 people from British Gymnastics will come, 9th - 13th November, shortly after this year’s World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in London. The DTB has demonstrated spontaneous support to this initiative, with the Gymnastics Association of Berlin offering partnership in using this opportunity to organize a big congress for Coaches and Exercise leaders, during the joint workshops with the British guests.
Sir Philip CRAVEN received with big interest the British Gymnastics GMPD Developing Plan, handed to him by  Ronny ZIESMER – a Plan revealing BG experience and the way forward for Gymnastics and Movement for People with Disabilities.
* Eckhard HERHOLZ, GYMmedia INTERNATIONAL
   - translated by British Gymnastics

FIG President Grandi calls to the arms ...

10. Juli 2009  
Lausanne, Switzerland  
Artistic Gymnastics

FIG President Grandi calls to the arms ...

Bruno Grandi (FIG)
' ...a call to arms!'

The president of the International Gymnastics Federation (F.I.G.), Bruno GRANDI (ITA) wrote an open letter (F.I.G. press release No. 41, from 2009, July 1) to all the members of its federation.
The gist of this letter is the challenge for more innovation, and a higher degree of transparancy of the whole world gymnastics system:
"Specially the public and the audiences.
While watching gymnastics, an audience needs to feel that, like other disciplines, gymnastics is within the reach of every individual.
This process of identification has never taken root in our sport, whether on a political, social or economic level.... ", Grandi wrote and on another place he "call to arms": " ...Let us have the courage to revitalise our entire system!" ...


* FIG, press Nr. 41:
Open Letter of FIG President Bruno GRANDI (ITA)

Dear Friends,
Our future is founded on the following premises, and it is imperative that we address them in the very near future: credibility of results; transparency with incidences that have occurred on-site and Development (publicising, culture and Gymnastics for All).
This is the challenge we face within the FIG first and foremost.
....
   >> Letter of B. Grandi (Original FIG document)
********************************************************************************
* ... read also a >> Comment in German language
- by Eckhard Herholz
Chief Editor of GYMmedia INTERNATIONAL

Japanese Students won Team Gold, Russia Silver, China Bronze... but the Europeans were strong at Final Day

05. Juli 2009  
Belgrade, Serbia  
Artistic Gymnastics

Japanese Students won Team Gold, Russia Silver, China Bronze... but the Europeans were strong at Final Day

Yosuke HOSHI (JPN)
Best in all-around

With a difference of more than 6 points the Japanese artistic gymnastics men's team defeated the Russian and the Chinese teams at the 25th World University Games 2009 in Belgrade, Serbia.
JAPAN scored 269,700 for gold, followed by RUSSIA (263,400) and CHINA (260,250) - without any members of its world and Olympic champion teams - on ranked on second and third place.
Yosuke HOSHI (87,250) fom Japan  led after qualification and won the Saturday's all-around final, followed by the best Chinese WANG Heng (87,200).
Bronze medal went to the Korean KIM Soo Myung (86,950), so all the medals were won by Asian athletes. Veteran Manuel CAMPOS ranked on fourth place with a score of 86,450 and was the best European of the day in Belgrade.
The final day ends without a Chinese victory, but with strong European gymnasts ...

* powered by HEARTS and MINDS Media Production
- the HDTV Company


XXV. WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES 2009
  - Belgrade, Serbia,  July 03 -
__________________________________________________

* MEN's Team Competition and All-around Qualification
France, KOREA and ROMANIA rank on 4 to 6 and behind HUNGARY, the UKRAINE and BRASIL the Swiss selection came on tenth place...
Altogether 120 gymnasts in 23 complete national teams and individual gymnasts from six more countries participate at these Universiade ...

>> Men's Teams Results

Vice European Champion Koczi: the day's best!

>> Men's All-around qualification
Japanese gymnasts qualified first to four of the six apparatus finals, and three of them with high scores
- at floor Makato OKIGUCHI (15,250),
- at parallel bars Yosuke HOSHI (15,650) and
- at the high bar Kyoichi WATANABE (15,250).

At pommel horse the Europen Champion of Milan, Krisztian BERKI scored the highest points of the day (16,200) .
On rings dominated the Chinese YAN Mingyong (15,400) and on vault Romnaia's Vice European Champion Flavius KOCZI (16,075).

>> Appar. Qualification

* Men's All-around Final (Saturday, July 04)
________________________________________

* AA Results
1. HOSHI, Yosuke  JPN  - 87,250
2. WANG, Heng  CHN      - 87,200
3. KIM Soo Myun  KOR   - 86,950

4. CAMPOS, Manuel  POR  - 86,450
5. HETROVICS, Marcell  HUN  - 86,400
6. KUKSENKOV, Mykola  UKR  - 85,850
>> RESULTS, All-around Final

* APP. FINALS, Sunday, July 5
___________________________

* FLOOR EXERCISES / Boden
1.  KIM, Soo Myun  (KOR)  - 15,125
2. RI, Se Gwang  (PRK)  - 14,775
3. BARKALOV, Dmitry  (RUS)  - 14,725
  >> Detailed Results

* POMMEL HORSE / Pferd
1.  BERKI, Krisztian  (HUN)  - 15,500
2. TRUYENS, Donna-Donny  (BEL)  - 15,425
3. BERTONCELJ, Saso  (SLO)  - 15,325
  >> Detailed Results

* RINGS / Ringe
1.  BALANDIN, Alexander  (RUS)  - 15,675
2. YAN, Mingyong  (CHN)  - 15,150
3. RI, Se Gwang  (PRK)  - 15,075
  >> Detailed Results

* VAULT / Sprung
1. KOSZCI, Flavius  (ROU)        - 16,187 
2. LYSZCZARZ, Marek  (POL)  - 16,100
3.  HUANG, Yuguo  (CHN)          - 15,900
  >> Detailed Results

* PARALLEL BARS / Barren
1. TOMMASONNE, Cyril  (FRA)  - 14,925 
     NAKASE, Takuya  (JPN)        - 14,925
3. KOSCZI, Flavius  (ROU)          - 14,575
  >> Detailed Results

* HIGH BAR / Reck
1.  KIM, Ji Hoon  (KOR)                  - 15,625 
2.  NAKASE, Takuya  (JPN)          - 15,575
3.  WATANABE, Kyoichi  (JPN)    - 15,450
  >> Detailed Results


* ... read also the >> GYMmedia Preview, Unversiade
                 and the >> Women's Reports

Chinese women - most sucessfully at the Universiade

05. Juli 2009  
Belgrade, Serbia  
Artistic Gymnastics

Chinese women - most sucessfully at the Universiade

JIANG Yuyuan (CHN)
- all-around and beam winner

CHINA's women's artistic gymnastics team collected an overall 169.150 points and an extraordinary seven-point edge for the title of the 25th UNIVERSIADE 2009 in Belgrade (Serbia), leaving RUSSIA a far second in 162.150.
The bronze went to PEOPLES REPUBLIC of KOREA in 161.450 points, which boast Olympic vault winner Hong Eu-Jong.
Best in all-around qualification but also after the Saturday's all-around final were the two Chineses JIANG Yuyuan (57,050) and HE Ning (56,600), followed by the two North-koreans KIM Un Hyang (55,800) and HONG Un Jong (55,000) on fourth place.
JIANG Yuyuan won also the beam final and two more medals and is the most successful gymnast of these competitions.
Also double European Champion Beth TWEDDLE (GBR) was unbeatable at ther special apparatusses...

* powered by HEARTS and MINDS Media Production
- the HDTV Company


25. WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES  2009 (Universiade)
   - Belgrade, Serbia, 02-Jul -
_____________________________________________

* Team Event and Women's qualification
Olympians Cheng Fei and Jiang Yuyuan led Chinese gymnasts to an overwhelming victory in women's team at the 25th Universiade on Thursday.
Chinese totally dominated No. 1 hall of Belgrade Fair as they received the highest score on each apparatus.
While Cheng Fei, three time world vault champion in a row, had a below-par performance due to a right knee injury sustained before coming to Belgrade, Jiang Yuyuan shone by topping the qualifications of all-around and beam and qualifying for all apparatus except for vault.
"Actually, we are not in top form as we've been reshaping since the Beijing Olympics," said the 18-year-old JIANG Yuyuan to the Chinese press. "We need to work hard ahead of this year's National Games."
Altogether eight teams and 56 gymnasts from 20 countries take part at these University World Games and 35 gymnasts of them completed at all the four apparatuses.

* FINAL RESULTS, TEAMS
1. CHINA                                        - 169,150
2. RUSSIA                                     - 162,150
3. PEOPLES REP. of KOREA     - 161,450

4. JAPAN                    - 161,200
5. UKRAINE              - 161,150
6. GREAT BRITAIN  - 151,950
7. KOREA                  - 142,100
8. SLOVENIA            - 134,200
   >> Detailed Team results

Double European Champion Beth TWEDDLE from Great Britain achieved the highest score of the day on uneven bars (15,700) and was also the best gymnast at floor (14,800) ....

* All-around, Qualification
1. JIANG, Yuyuan  (CHN)                  - 58,550
2. HE, Ning  (CHN)                             - 55,700
3. TANAKA, Rie  (JPN)                       - 54,400
4. KLYUKINA, Svetlana  (RUS)        - 54,200
5. PIHAN-KUÖESZA, Marta  (POL)  - 53,850
6. HONG, Un Yong  (PRK)                - 53,800
   >> Detailed AA results
        >> Apparatus Results (Qualification)

* All-around Final, Saturday, July 04
______________________________
China, North Korea and Japan domiated the women's all-around final on the first five ranks. The best European gymnasts followed on 6th to ninth places...

* All-around Final
1. JIANG Yuyuan  CHN  - 57,050
2. HE Ning  CHN  - 56,600
3.   KIM Un Hyang  PRK  - 55,800

4. HONG Un Jong  PRK  - 55,000
5. TANAKA, Rie  JPN  - 54,550
6. KLYUKINA, Svetlana  RUS  - 53,800

  >> Detailed AA Final results

* APP. FINALS, Sunday, July 5
_______________________________

* VAULT / Sprung
1. HONG, Un Hong  (PRK)               - 14,712
2. CHENG, Fei  (CHN)                        - 14,362
3. KAZANTSEVA, Tatiana  (RUS)  - 13,912
  >> Detailed Results

* UNEVEN BARS / Stufenbarren
1. TWEDDLE, Elizabeth  (GBR)  - 15,750
2. CHA, Yong Hwa  (PRK)  - 15,575
3. JIANG, Yuyuan  (CHN)  - 15,200
  >> Detailed Results
* BALANCE BEAM / Schwebebalken
1. JIANG, Yuyuan  (CHN)  - 14,850
2. HE, Ning  (CHN)              - 14,675
3. ZGOBA, Daria  (UKR)   - 13,950
  >> Detailed Results

* FLOOR EXERCISE / Boden
1. TWEDDLE, Elizabeth  (GBR)  - 14,850
2. JIANG, Yuyuan  (CHN)             - 14,325
3. HE, Ning  (CHN)                        - 14,100
  >> Detailed Results


*  ....read more about the 25. Universiade 2009 :
       >> GYMmedia PREVIEW

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