Gymternet Weekly: Protests, a baby announcement, and tons of training clips (June 8-14, 2020)
It’s never a dull week around the gymternet! Here’s our weekly roundup of news, videos, and more from your favorite gymnasts!
Click here to read last week’s edition.
P.S. Have a news item or video you think should be considered for “Gymternet Weekly”? Email a link to [email protected]!
The fight for justice continues
The fight for justice and police reform continued in the third week since George Floyd’s killing, with many student-athletes, including gymnasts from across the country and world, participating in protests.
Click here to sign petitions, donate, and find other ways you can help.
Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin had fun together with some viral challenges
The two Olympic gold medalists and close friends took part in two fun internet challenges, and Johnson’s husband even made a cameo! The #handstandchallenge and #wipeitdownchallenge can’t handle these two!
Yul Moldauer’s side gig
World medalist Yul Moldauer has taken up a side gig outside of the gym… or maybe it’s just for fun!
Moldauer made a house call to give coach Mark Williams, and Williams’ son Cooper, the Yul chop. Looking good, guys!
Shannon Miller celebrates
Seven-time Olympic medalist and cancer survivor Shannon Miller celebrated nine years cancer free this week!
Miller battled ovarian cancer in 2011 and, after undergoing three cycles of chemotherapy, was given a clean bill of health that same year.
“At times it feels like a lifetime ago, but when I talk with other survivors, as we work to create awareness and raise funds for much needed cancer research, better therapies and a focus on survivorship, it all comes back fresh as it was then,” Miller said in an Instagram post to mark the occasion.
Russian star debuts new YouTube intro
One of the biggest names in Russian gymnastics right now, reigning all-around World champion Nikita Nagornyy has built a large following across social media but especially on Instagram and YouTube, and he recently debuted a new intro that we are loving!
Baby Dalton due Thanksgiving 2020
Two-time Olympian Jake Dalton and wife Kayla are expecting!
“We’re so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to grow our family,” Jake said in an Instagram post. “I am so grateful for [Kayla] being so strong in a time that was not easy. We’ve learned, grown, laughed, cried and prayed together over the last few years as we’ve struggled through our own fertility journey. We are humbled and stronger because of it. God has blessed us and we can’t wait for the future!”
Baby Dalton is due Thanksgiving 2020. Check out the announcement video below!
The latest standing double back
Trampoline and tumbling elite Kaleb Cave is the latest gymnast to successfully perform a standing double back.
Cave’s double is unique since he seems to be the first gymnast to perform the skill on flat grass with no step–a remarkable feat!
Penev summits Colorado
U.S. gymnast Eddie Penev summited Mount Elbert over the weekend, climbing 14,439 feet to the highest point in Colorado and the entire Mississippi River drainage basin. What an accomplishment! Congrats, Eddie!
Air Force women’s gymnastics names new head coach
The Air Force women’s gymnastics team named Jennifer Green its next head coach last week. Green spent the past six seasons as an assistant coach at Iowa.
Read more about the hire here.
Max Whitlock featured in Men’s Health UK 2020 Body Issue
Reigning Olympic and World champion Max Whitlock (GBR) will be featured alongside some of Britain’s top athletes in the 2020 Body Issue of Men’s Health UK.
Like father, like son
Jonathan Horton’s son is following in his dad’s footsteps in more ways than one!
Just days after climbing the neighborhood light pole, David has started training level 5 at his dad’s old stomping grounds: Cypress Academy. Future Olympic high bar medalist in training? Only time will tell, but they could certainly win gold in light pole climbing!
On the mend: Recovery roundup
With many lockdown and stay-at-home restrictions lifted, a few gymnasts have been taking the chance to do some housekeeping on their bodies in order to come back better than ever. This week, it was all about the recovery.
- 2016 Olympic uneven bars bronze medalist Sophie Scheder (DEU) is rehabbing a right knee injury that she’s been battling for months. Thus far, Scheder has avoided surgery and returned to the gym. She is taking things slow while she continues to do daily rehab in the afternoon. “My goal remains. I want to go to Tokyo for the 2021 Olympics!”
- After undergoing rotator cuff surgery last week, Kelly Simm (GBR) seems to be recovering well!
Training clips: G.O.A.T. clips, new mounts, huge releases, and more
As more and more gymnasts return to training across the world, we’re seeing an uptick in training videos, and we couldn’t be more excited! With the Olympics postponed and no meets for at least a couple more months, the gymternet will take any peeks into the gym that athlete’s are willing to share. This week, we saw a ton of athletes return to the gym, particularly many of Great Britain’s top gymnasts.
This week, our training clips section is highlighted by Simone Biles (USA), Chellsie Memmel (USA), Angelina Melnikova (RUS), Kenzo Shirai (JPN), Vanessa Ferrari (ITA), Jade Carey (USA), Max Whitlock (GBR), Colin Van Wicklen (USA), Grace McCallum (USA), Leanne Wong (USA), Paul Juda (USA), and Bart Deurloo (NED).
McCallum seems to be training a new beam mount, potentially trading in her trademark candle mount for a round-off layout into BHS. Over at GAGE, Wong played around with a wild front double pike triple full out.
Fail of the week
This week’s fail of the week goes to junior elite Sienna Robinson’s Pak mishap! Ouch!
