2013 Gymnastics Wishlish

For the first post of the year, I thought I would compile a list of some of the things I would like to see happen in the year of 2013. The post-Olympic year is always interesting in gymnastics, since some old faces of the past quadrennium stick it out and the new generations push forwards and look to establish names for themselves early.

#10 For Canada's Christine 'Peng Peng' Lee, a freshman at UCLA to have a fun, energy-free season after failing to make the 2012 Olympic Team due to injury, after a very sucessful and exciting come-back. Peng is an entertaining perfomer and a good all-around gymnast with a fun style and unique skills. She is a HUGE asset for the Bruins.

#9 For the beautiful Maria Livchikova of Ukraine to have a healthy and successful competitive season. This elegant tall blond gymnast has never quite lived up to her potential.

#8 For little Raluca Haidu (Pitic) to medal at Worlds (hopefully in the all-around!). She is one of Romania's hardest-working gymnasts who was not part of the Romanian Team in London.

#7 For Bristish gymnastics to really take off and become a dominant force in artistic gymnastics. Enrolments should be sky-rocketing thanks to the success of the British Men's team, who took a team medal for the first time in Olympic history. The Women's team also had a good showing at the Olympics, making the team final with stars like Hannah Whelan and Rebecca Tunney who also made the all-around) and Beth Tweddle taking a medal on bars. There are many talented juniors who will continue the legacy, including; Angel Romaeo, Gabby Jupp, Raer Theaker and Charlie Fellows. Team GB performed very well at the 2012 Junior European Championships, finishing 4th in the team final and showing their potential as talented gymnasts for the future

#6 For Kyla Ross to win an all-around title, without being overshadowed by superstars Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman and Jordyn Wieber.

#5 For Team China to find their mojo. Something wasn't quite right about their performance at the Olympics. I mean only two medals on beam? Seriously China, sort yourselves out please.

#4 To see Elizabeth 'Ebee' Price be selected for the World's Team (she definitely merits being there, her vault and bars are ridiculous).

#3 To have a gymnast from a non-gymnastics country to win a medal at the World Championships. It's so unexpected and exciting when this happens! And means the world to the gymnast, the coach and all the supporters back at home. My money is on the talented young Ana Sofia from Guatemala!

#2 For Bridget Sloan of Florida Gymnastics to become NCAA bars champion- seriously, that girl is amazing. Hell, she's a World Champion!

#1 For Rebecca Bross to continue in gymnastics as an event specialist on bars and beam. Becca has had a rough road since injurung her knee at the 2011 US Nationals. No injury is easy to come back from and it is clear that she fought hard to be a contender for 2012. The thought of Becca not being on the US Olympic Team in 2009 or 2010 was unthinkable, but sadly became a reality again showing that gymnastics is a fickle sport. Becca is stong on bars and beam and could realistically help the team if she is in good shape. Besides, she would fit easily into a leadership role and help guide new members of the team.

Article by Imogen Browne @Iflip4gymblog

Sunday Spotlight: Ana Sofia Gomez Porras (GUA)

Ana Sofia Gomez Porras, born in 1995 is Guatemalan gymnast who first appeared on the international scene at the 2010 Olympic Youth Games in Singapore. At this competition, she impressed gymnastics fans from around the world with her repertoire of skills including a back sommersalt with a full twist on beam. She placed first on beam and second in the all-around at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara. It is always exciting when gymnasts from non-gymnastics countries do well on the international scene! She is a delightful gymnast to watch and shows a real flair on beam and floor. She qualified to the Olympic Games and made the all-around final, a fantastic achievement for Ana Sofia and her coaches Adrian and Elena Boboc.

Ana Sofia mounts the beam at the 2012 London Olympics

Performing an acro skill in a beam routine at the Olympics

Her floor routine shows impressive tumbling, including a full-twisting double back as her opening pass. She also shows great amplitude in her leaps. The choreography is interesting and expressive. Here is her routine from the all-around competition at the 2011 Pan American Games where she placed second.

Ana Sofia on floor at the 2011 Pan American Games 

Ana wins the gold medal on beam at the 2011 Pan American Games 

The Youth Olympic Games are a fantastic opportunity for talented young athletes such as Ana Sofia as they gain valuable international experience at a young age. It is also a great opportunity for them to travel around the world and enjoy their sport!

'I competed against very talented rivals whom I will face regularily in the future. I also realised that I have the potential to compete at the international level'- Ana Sofia on the contribution of the Youth Olympic Games to her career (from www.olympic.org)

Congratulations to Ana for putting Guatemala on the gymnastics map, and best wishes for competitions in the future!

Full interview from the Official Olympic Website can be found here 

Article by Imogen Browne (@IFLIP4GymBlog)