Gymternet Weekly: Hernandez sets competition return, Moldauer wins all-around at Beach Blast Invitational (January 11 – 17, 2021)

1.
Laurie Hernandez announces first meet in 4 1/2 years

After the pandemic delayed her comeback, Laurie Hernandez is set to compete for the first time since the 2016 Rio Olympics when she takes the floor at the 2021 Winter Cup in February.

On Tuesday evening, Hernandez tweeted, “if this gets 5k retweets I’ll scream ‘SEA SHANTIES!’ into the camera at winter cup.” Soon after, she followed that tweet up with, “3k retweets and I’ll scream ‘FOR THE HONOR OF GRAYSKULL!’ into the camera at winter cup. (winter cup will be my first meet back [feb 27th] after 5 years of not competing so don’t be shy, RT it and let’s make it even more fun).”

Hernandez’s agent confirmed the gymnast’s plans to NBC Sports after the Tuesday night tweets. Read more here.

2.
2021 Stuttgart World Cup cancelled, Olympic qualifier future uncertain

For the second year in a row, the Stuttgart World Cup has fallen victim to the pandemic due to “increased costs and the risk of short-term cancellation by the authorities.” The German Gymnastics Federation is currently discussing an alternative location for the all-around portion of the meet, which is part of the FIG’s All-Around World Cup qualifying series for the Olympics. Per the FIG, a final decision will be made by the end of January. Read more here.

In addition, the FIG announced last Monday a wave of World Cup event cancellations, with the 2021 Cottbus World Cup among the events that will not take place this year. Read more here.

3.
Moldauer wins elite division at 2021 Beach Blast Invitational

This year’s Beach Blast Invitational featured an exciting men’s senior elite division, with many current national team members and Olympic team prospects making the trip to Galveston, Tx. to compete for the first time in almost a year.

Yul Moldauer took all-around gold with his score of 85.900. In second was Moldauer’s former Oklahoma teammate Allan Bower (83.200), and rounding out the podium was Stanford alum Akash Modi (81.750). Watch some highlights from the meet below, and head to our twitter page to watch full routine videos and more.

4.
Verniaiev suspension may be a case of doping

Oleg Verniaiev (UKR) has been provisionally suspended by the FIG for approximately a month, and now we might have an inkling as to why the reigning Olympic parallel bars champion and all-around silver medalist is in danger of not being eligible for the Tokyo Olympics. The head coach of the men’s national team of Ukraine, Gennady Sartynsky, recently commented on the suspension.

“I read on the website that he was removed,” Sartynsky told sport.ua. “Now, there is an [investigation], I can’t tell more. What is the reason for this decision? The International Gymnastics Federation has said nothing yet. When all this is clarified, then we will talk. Yes, maybe it’s about doping. But so far they have said nothing. This is private information for now. Did Oleg miss the European Championship because of this decision? It’s all there together. And injuries, and everything else. Now, Oleg is not doing anything yet.” Read more here.

5.
2016 Olympic bronze medalist Nile Wilson announces retirement

British gymnastics star Nile Wilson announced his retirement via social media on Thursday morning.

“I’ve been sat in my car trying to type this out for way over an hour,” Wilson said. “Today I hang up my hand guards & retire from the professional sport of Gymnastics… ‘Gymnastics’ you are the best sport in the world! You’re my 1st Love , my addiction , You set me free , you gave me purpose & you gave me experiences I could not even have dreamed of! Unfortunately my body just couldn’t keep up..& that’s okay???????? It is my time to move on & I can’t wait for the next chapter☺️ “ Read more here.

6.
Shawn Johnson East and husband expecting baby No. 2: ‘Here we go again’

After teasing a big surprise for a couple of weeks, it’s finally been revealed that Shawn Johnson East, 28, and her husband, Andrew East, 29, are expecting baby no. 2!

Shawn and Andrew announced the news on Instagram Friday morning. “Here we go again,” she captioned the post, which also included a family photo with their 14-month-old daughter, Drew Hazel. Read more here.

7.
Must read: ‘The Best Way to Honor a Legend is Knowing When to Say Goodbye’

It’s hard not to get emotional when thinking of Simone Biles retiring, but the The Medal Count put it best, “The best way fans can honor [her] is to remember the accomplishments she already has… To let 2021 be the celebration of a storied career.” Read the blog’s thought provoking response to recent speculation of Biles delaying her retirement here.

8.
Must read: Thomas Is So Dominant, You Can Forget She’s Human

Trinity Thomas was the only member of the U.S. Senior National Team on a 2020 NCAA roster and envisions making a run toward the Tokyo Olympic Games if they happen later this year. To help her cause, Thomas has increased the difficulty of some of her routines this season, and in the process, is showing that she is, in fact, human. Read more here, and read our report on Thomas still pursuing an Olympic team spot while balancing college gymnastics here.

Tweets and things

Competition clips: Burkhart wows on high bar, Ny Reed’s almost perfect floor routine, and more

Training clips: Arabian mount from Wevers, Mikulak gets real, Penev’s huge front double-double

This week’s training clips section includes 17 videos that feature Lieke Wevers (NED), Sam Mikulak (USA), Eddie Penev (USA), Reiss Beckford (JAM), and many more national and international athletes!