Toyota International

I’m really looking forward to seeing the routines from the Toyota International meet in Japan this weekend! There are some big names on both sides, including Mustafina, Mitchell, and Mr. Yurchenko Triple himself - Uchimura, so it should be good! Click ‘Read more’for all the gymnasts competing!

Read More

Men’s Team Final Coverage Quick Hits

Read More for my thoughts as I’m watching the coverage of the 2010 Worlds Men’s Team Final!

Read More

Japan Cup Coming Up

Japan Cup is going on July 3rd and 4th in Tokyo at the Metropolitan Gymnasium, which is where the 2011 World Championships will be held.  

The United States will be sending Jonathan Horton (Houston, TX), Chris Cameron (U of Michigan), Danell Leyva (Miami, FL), Alex Naddour(U of Oklahoma), and Paul Ruggeri (U of Illinois). Chris Brooks (Norman, OK) is the alternate. I’ve heard conflicting reports about who is actually on the team, but I’ve taken this information directly from the USAG press release (HERE), so hopefully it is correct!

Sad to see Chris Brooks always in the alternate position. He has a history of unfortunately timed injuries - both this year and last year he was supposed to go to the Moscow Stars meet and injured his back last year and ankle this year. To the best of my knowledge, though, he’s back at 100%, so I say USAG should give him the chance to show what he’s got. He dominated at Winter Cup and is a very powerful athlete, and I think he can hold up against the rest of the pack. Oh well…hopefully he will get his chance soon.

The other nations competing in the men’s competition include France, Great Britain, Germany, South Korea, Romania, Russia, and Japan. The team competition is on July 3rd, and the All-Around will be held on July 4th.

There will also be a women’s competition, which includes competitors from Japan, Vietnam, Russia, and South Korea.

The Official Meet website (HERE) lists the USA competitors as Brooks, Cameron, Horton, Naddour, and Ruggeri. I tend to think the USAG press release has the correct competitors on it, but you never know. I’ve also heard that John Orozco will be replacing Danell Leyva. So like a said….a myriad of options! It will be interesting to see who actually shows up!

European Championships - Senior Men

The Senior portion of the European Championships was as eventful as the men’s, with the host country again having a strong showing thanks to its stars Dan Keatings and Louis Smith. Notably Russia was missing from the competition, but I’m sure it was entertaining nonetheless.

Team Results:

1. Germany - 266.150
2. Great Britain - 263.025
3. France - 260.100
4. Spain - 258.80
5. Switzerland - 257.15
6. Italy - 254.975
7. Romania - 254.675
8. Greece - 253.225

Senior All-Around Results:

1. Cyril Tommasone - FRA - 86.85
2. Samuel Hunter - GBR - 85.975
3. Roman Kulesza - POL - 84.875
4. Paolo Ottavi - ITA - 84.725
5. Fabian Leimlehner - AUT - 82.45
6. Dimitrios Markousis - GRE - 82.225
7. Helge Vammen - DEN - 82.225
8. Sascha Palgen - LUX - 82.000
9. Christos Lympanovnos - GRE - 81.70
10. Gustavo Palma Simoes - POR - 80.825

Floor Champion - Matthias Fahrig - GER (15.65)

Pommel Champion - Daniel Keatings - GBR (15.60)

Rings Champion - Matteo Morandi - ITA (15.25)

Vault Champion - Tomi Tuuha - FIN (15.975)

Parallel Bars Champion - Yann Cucherat - FRA (15.275)

High Bar Champion - Vlasios Maras - GRE (15.40)

Amazing that six different people from six different countries won the event finals! It really shows the diversity that is coming into gymnastics, it’s not just the same few countries over and over again. Congrats especially to Tomi Tuuha from Finland and Vlasios Maras from Greece setting a wonderful standard for their countries.