Just Because...FF + Arabian/Tuck 1/1 Combo

The ff + Arabian beam connection is one of my favourite connections on beam. I think the first gymnast to do this combo was Lobaznyuk? It's a super difficult connection. Currently Anna Rodionova does that combination. Skinner does it too but it's not done well. I also like the ff + tuck 1/1. The Romanians favours the ff + tuck 1/1. I wish more gymnasts would do these cool combinations. Both combinations are worth B+F 0.2CV.

 (Source: gymnasticsgifs)

 (Source: gymnasticsgifs)

(Source: thehappyonefrombeijing)

Double Arabian Tucked + Double Front Tuck!

This is an insane pass by Rohan Sebastian. Dbl Arabian + Double Front (D+D) 0.2CV

Just Because... Xiao Qin PH 2007

I can never get tired of this routine.

 

Catalina Ponor @ 2013 Mexico Gala Gimnastica Internacional

There was another gala in Mexico. This one was highlighted by Ponor. Here are some fun videos.

2013 Massilia Videos/Quick Thoughts

There are lots of videos at piibunina's channel.

Admittedly I haven't seen all the videos but I think one of my favourite routine is from Claudia Fragapane. It's unique.
  I wasn't really impressed by the Russians but it's great to see Ekaterina Kramarenko still competing and looking not too shabby. IMO it's weird how Russia's veterans are still a bit better than the new Russian seniors. The newer Russian generation lacks execution or difficulty. The newer seniors can still improve but I find it hard that when gymnasts like Semenova, Afanasyeva, Komova, Grishina, Mustafina etc at age 16 had superior style than the current new Russian generation. The newer girls are not as polished. Now I know that there is a new code but even back then they still had about the same or more difficulty with better execution. I guess we'll have to wait and see how the other girls like Kharenkova or Kuzmina does. I do like Anna Rodionova but she lacks difficulty and this is what I'm saying. Even in the old codes 2008-2012 her older teammates still had more difficulty compared to her and they had good execution. I know that Rodionova has the ff + Arabian combo but that's about it. I feel Russia is either lacking in difficulty but has good execution or has good difficulty but lack execution, for example Shelgunova. She has good difficulty but really lacks execution. She's already 16 and when most of her veteran teammates were at the same age as Shelgunova they were better than her. I'm not hating on Shelgunova but I just want to point out that she needs a lot of work in her execution.

In this beam routine she is going for 6.7. Good difficulty but bad execution. Hopefully she'll improve or take out some skills/connections.

Ro + Layout (E) 0.1CV
Switch leap + Switch leap 1/2 (D) 0.1
Aerial cartwheel + loso (D) 0.2
Front Aerial + Sheep jump (D+D) 0.2
Front tuck + wolf jump (D) 0.1
Full turn
Switch Ring (E)
Dbl Pike (E)

3.5 + 0.7CV = 4.2 + 2.5CR = 6.7 D-Score

Just Because...Uchimura's Tak 1/2 + Kolman Combination

Tak 1/2 + Kolman (D+F) 0.1CV

 

    (Source: supermura)

Just Because...Ksenia Afanasyeva Training 1/1 DLO

She trained this for the first time in early of 2013. I hope she can get it and hopefully compete it when she returns to full competitive competition. It needs to be straighter but this was her first time training it in the layout position. This skill is worth H!

(Source: frangymnasticsfan)

CoP - Tip of The Month

In WAG floor exercise a gymnast must include a minimum 360 turn on one foot. 360 is a full turn. Also gymnasts who shows insufficient use of the entire floor area will be deducted 2 tenths. The deductions for insufficient use of the entire floor area are:

• Insufficient use of straight lines, curves and changes of directions. 0.1 deduction.
• Missing movement touching the floor (including truck/thigh or head). 0.1 deduction. This requirement is usually referred to as low floor choreography. Most gymnasts would do this requirement since getting deducted for 1 tenth is not worth it. Every tenths counts.

The deduction for not having a full turn is 3 tenths. I often get mixed up with these requirements because they are not part of the D-score's 2.5 CR (compositional requirements). The execution panel will take out these deductions not the D panel.

New 2013 MAG Elements

FIG has posted up the new MAG elements that were performed in Antwerp. Kenzo Shirai had three new elements named after him! What a guy. His skills were bwd stretched 4/1 twists (F), fwd stretched 3/1 twists (F) and Yuchenko stretched 3/1 twists (6.0). He shares the Yurchenko stretched 3/1 twists with South Korea's Kim Hee Hoon.

Full List of the 12 new elements.