MCSMaria's Artistic Gymnastics Blog

Top Gym UPDATE  Due to the recent events in Europe, Flo Gymnastics (formerly Gymnastike) will not be live streaming the Top Gym meet in Chaleroi, Belgium. Additionally, US juniors, Ragan Smith and Jordan Chiles will no longer be in attendance. 

Today, my thoughts and heart are with Paris after last night's devastating attacks. To honor the victims and to show global solidarity with the Parisian citizens, I am featuring Claire Martin's bronze medal winning beam routine from this year's European Championships in Montpellier, France.

Toni Ann Williams threw her Produnova during the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Just to be clear, we're not talking about the scary handspring double tuck splatfest vault, but the glorious double front dismount off beam.

Two of the most prominent US juniors, Ragan Smith and Jordan Chiles will be representing team USA at Top Gym in Belgium; a rare showing of USA juniors outside Jesolo and a few scattered international and national competitions.  Ragan, who will turn senior this coming year, placed third in the junior division at this year’s P&G Championships. She trains at Texas Dreams under the tutelage of 1991 World Champion, Kim Zmeskal and her husband, Chris Burdette.  Jordan will turn senior in enough time to compete for Team USA in Rio, but will turn senior in 2017. She trains at Naydenov Gymnastics in Vancouver, Washington.  She won the junior title at the Secret Classic in 2014. Top Gym will be held Nov 28-29 in Charleroi, Belgium.  Gymnastike will live stream the event. The competition format is unique due to the fact that all-around competition will be held on Day One. Day two will feature event finals and a team competition. The team composition will feature four athlet...

Today, gymnasts around the US made that first leap into adulthood and officially signed their national letters of intent for college.

Simone Biles expanded her already expansive gymanstics resume last week at the World Championships in Glasgow, Great Britain, winning her third consecutive world championship all-around title. Now, Simone Biles is grabbing the attention of high ranking government officials.

Well, second day of event finals was no less extraordinary with more history making moments.  Simone Biles broke a huge record, and the Team USA guys finally got their medals. Before I break down in a fit of depression because worlds is over, let me recap the events of today.  Warning - I've been at this for about 10 days straight now, so I may break into snark unexpectedly.