A. USA Gymnastics Pulled Funding From the FISU University Games with Less Than a Month's Notice
ICYMI: USA Gymnastics withdrew partial funding from the FISU World University Games with less than a month's notice. USA Gymnastics cited high flight prices while others cited the need for funds to cover the extra day of competition at the U.S. Classic.
Read the full article here.
Photo Credit: Gianmarco Orbegozo
B. 2021/2023 FISU World University Games
The 2021 World University Games has been twice postponed, but this year, collegiate athletes from around the globe have gathered in Chengdu, China to compete against the best in the world.
Because the World Championships and Asian Games are taking place simultaneously this fall, the World University Games will be the only chance spectators will have to view the showdown between China's Zhang Boheng, and Japan's Hashimoto Daiki [Note: Hashimoto will compete at the World Championships and Zhang will compete at the Asian Games]. Since 2021, the pair have alternated major all-around wins which has led to much anticipation of the competition to come in Chengdu later this week.
In Qualifications, Hashimoto outscored Zhang by .999 and Zhang had a fall, so this all-around final should be spectacular! China won the team title for the first time ever over 11-time champions, Japan! South Korea took home bronze! The US finished in fourth!
Full information on rosters, competition times, and streaming options can be found here.
Team Final/AA & Event Qualifications Live Blog (including all-around and event qualifiers) can be found here.
C. 2023 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF)
The 2023 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) concluded in Maribor, Slovenia last week. In all reality, this year's competition could have been renamed the Brugnami Show as Italy's Tommaso Brugnami took home six medals, including four golds [Note: one of the gold medals came from the mixed pairs competition]. Athletes from 10 different countries took home medals, and every gymnast who medaled in the team final also won an individual medal!
Full results can be found here.
D. Asher Hong Updates
Numerous interviews came out this week with U.S. gymnastics standout, Asher Hong. Hong spoke with Gymnastics Now and NBC Bay Area when he detailed the struggles of balancing the NCAA season with elite gymnastics. He's considering taking the spring quarter off of school ahead of the 2024 Olympics but also acknowledges the difficulties that would bring.
Even with his busy schedule, Hong and a few friends have started a new business called Injurvention– a website headlined "Your Key to Athletic Longevity and Success."
With a mission to, "empower young athletes with innovative recovery solutions and educational resources, promoting longevity in their sporting careers," Hong and colleagues designed their website to play a critical role in the recovery of athletes.
E. Podcast with Dan Keatings
Daniel Keatings is one of the most successful British gymnasts in history. Known for his eye-catching work on pommel horse, the 2009 world all-around silver medalist details his journey from being unknown to gymnastics star to a man who hated gymnastics.
Don't miss this excellent interview available on Apple podcast, Spotify, and YouTube!
F. Oklahoma's Ray Gamboa Medically Retired
All-American, Raydel Gamboa, has announced his retirement from gymnastics following his sophomore season. Gamboa cited repeated concussions as the reason for the medical retirement. When coach, Mark Williams, wrote about Gamboa's retirement he said, "Health comes first, and Ray will always be a Sooner for life."
G. 2023 U.S. Classic
Over one-hundred and seventy male gymnasts will take to the competition floor on Sunday, August 6th in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Some athletes are pre-qualified to the 2023 U.S. Gymnastics National Championships, and for others, this is their last chance to qualify.
According to USA Gymnastics documentation, approximately 12 spots remain to compete at the National Championships and all remaining gymnasts will qualify through the 10-point Program.
The first session will take place at 10:45 am CST and the second session will take place at 4:45 pm CST. All MAG sessions will be streamed on YouTube.
H. Interview with Pan American Champion, Audrys Nin Reyes (Dominican Republic)
International Gymnast Magazine released an interview with seven-time world cup medalist, Audrys Nin Reyes. Nin Reyes details injuries, successes, comeback, and an ultimate goal of competing at the Olympic Games.
The full interview can be found here.
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Article by: Kensley Behel
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