The Secret Classics: Strong enough for a man, butt PH balanced for HUH!!!

Oh the Classics.  How I love thee... but also, how I hate your guts.  Let's start with the LOVE!!

Love:  Our first look into the depth of what the US has to offer in Londontown.  With 9 former world champions/medalists and a slew of new talent, it is truly an exposition of our stremph.  The new senior have SOOOO much to prove if they want to take the place of the veterans.  And the Veterans have EVEN more to prove.  They have to prove they're still somewhat relevant, in shape, and recovered from whatever injuries they've had.

Favorite newcomers:

The Finnz:

Powerhouse Price:

Double front pike Brenna:

I know that the last two have a SLIM chance of making the Olympic team, but I can't wait to see the show they put on.

What I HATE about the classics:  Where the hell is the all around?  Almost NO ONE is competing on all 4 events.  There's no pressure to.  There's still 2 more meets to determine the team, so everyone is "saving" themselves.  I always feel bad for gymnasts like Raisin and Vega who go all out and compete everything, and seem to get little to no recognition for it.  Liukin is only doing beam (and probably a watered-down set at best), Wiebz is only doing two events, and Maroney is rumored to only do a couple as well.  I want to see these girls go ALL OUT!!  If I was on the selection committee, seeing that someone is already ready to go, with only needing some cleaning up, on all four events would stand out so much more to me.  Anyone agree?

Also a major player in the classics is the uneven bar event finals.  Here's a rad article highlighting that event:  http://theepanel.blogspot.com/2012/05/absolute-classic.html

Can't wait for Saturday!!

New Wiebz

Of all the amazing videos USA gymnastics has been posting, I found today's on Jordyn Wieber's FX the to be most exciting (minus Elizabeth Price's new bars combos) yet.  She's showing a new double layout, which I'm guessing would be her second pass and take the place of her double pike (and dismounting with her 2.5 full to split leap).  If so, this raises her D score .2 and gives her even more of an advantage going into London.  Her form is sickening to boot!

Here's the Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh4WOK5G9Zo&feature=g-u-u

I'd embed the video, but USA Gymnastics is super weird about not letting people do it.

Get it Gurl...

I know it's not breaking news, but I wanted to post about Josh Dixon.  I live for this kid.  He recently came out of the closet, and even more recently place second at the national qualifier in Colorado Springs.  He's heading into nationals and the Olympic Trials with a great chance of making the London team and I couldn't be more proud.  In all of the 2008 Olympic games, there were only a handful of queens that were open about their sexuality.  Here's a great article summarizing Dixon's achievements.

http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2012/05/06/josh-dixon-comes-out-as-gay-aims-for-spot-on-olympic-gymnastics-team/

get it gurl.

Grishina too "hungry" to make the team?

So I've been studying and scouring over all the videos from the recent European championships (like every 30 year old male, right?)  and have come across a few videos that either make me laugh, or the skills shown just blow my gay lil mind.

This recap of all the champions is amazetits for many reasons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mUXyDrodsVg

What really caught my eye is Grishina's look towards Komova at 1:23.  I live.  She looks as though ready to eat Komova alive just to make the team.  I mean...

I'm sure she's a nice girl and all, but she looks a lil cray.