MCSMaria's Artistic Gymnastics Blog

It's all over. Gymnastics at the Rio Olympic Games concluded on third and final day of event finals. The last of the medals was handed out today, the last routine was performed. The Olympics are over for another four years. The memory is still fresh, so let me recap the final day of artistic gymnastics at the Rio Olympic Games and we can relive all the gymnastics glory.

Today, the FIG announced the list of competitors who will be competing at the Stuttgart World Cup in March. Among the list of competitors, the US is sending , Nia Dennis, making her international debut as a senior.

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.

Yesterday it was the women, today, the men crowned their all-around champion, or really, it was Kohei showed up and took his gold medal, thank-you-very-much. That's one, two, three, four, five and six, bitches! (Note, I'm not as fluent in men's gymanstics as I am with women's so please, bear with me)

All the red blooded American girls have a crush on Danell Leyva. Apparently so do the red blooded Russian girls. What straight man wouldn't love to have two beautiful girls on his arm? Especially these lovely ladies. The picture looks to be from about 2010 judging by Tanya's bangs and the length of Aliya's hair.

Danell Leyva has withdrawn from the World's team after revealing that he's been dealing with a shoulder injury. USA Gymnastics released a statement today stating that Danell had withdrawn after the conclusion of the P&G Championships. Danell gave the following statement in a withdraw letter:

On the last day of the P&G Champs, Sam Mikulak topped the podium on the final of the men's national championships. Sam won by 2.9 points over Alex Naddour. Sam stayed consistent all night with the exception of the pommel horse, which is his best event. He fell twice, but still managed to keep his lead.  He won with an all-around total of 181.4 and Jake Dalton finished third with a 177.650.

After the first day of competition for the men, Sam Mikulak  emerged the trimphant leader with Jake Dalton trailing behind in second. Sam managed to secure his lead when he went on pommel horse, which is his best event and an Achillies heel for the USA men in general. Sam hit his routine with a clean, stylish routine that catapulted him to the top of the leader board after the third rotation. In doing so, Sam managed to break a streak of falls seen by many of USA's top men.

Tonight is the first night of the men's competition at the P&G National Championships.  The men's field is ripe with hopeful young men vying for the national team. The returning favorites include Danell Leyva, the 2012 All-Around Bronze medalist. Danell won the qualifier event in the Springs back in July. He didn't really need to, but it's always good to know that you rock. With Danell comes his dad/coach/personal cheerleader, Yin Alvarez.

Results are in from the first day of the men's qualifier for the P&G Nationals next month. 2012 All-Around Bronze Medalist and all around cutie, Danell Leyva qualified in first for the senior guys in the all around.

Katelyn Ohashi may have won the American Cup title, but Victoria Moors has overthrown Aliya Mustafina as the queen. The American Cup pretty much went as predicted. Katelyn Ohashi scored the top spot and Simone Biles came in second. Victoria came in third, but she certainly got the world's attention.

On Friday, USA Gymnastics announced the competitors for the 2013 American Cup. New favorites will be competing along with returning favorites. Representing the American women, Fierce Five member, Kyla Ross will compete along with 2012 World Cup winner Elizabeth "Ebee" Price. It's certainly exciting for these girls, it's the start of a new quadrennium and  it's a chance for the girls to show their stuff. For the past 10 years, nearly every American Cup competition had American gymnasts going 1-2 on the podium stand.

2012 has been a very good year for Olympic Alternate,Elizabeth "Ebee" Price. Ebee won her second international title today

I guess you've never really made it unless Twitter mistakenly declares you dead and you're not. It happens to the best of them. Today, it happened to a favorite gymnast who competed in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

After the whirlwind Olympics and after the Kelloggs Tour of Champions, Elizabeth "Ebee" Price and Danell Leyva will compete for the US in the World Cup Competition in Stuttgart, Germany and Glasgow, Scotland this upcoming December. Ebee is certainly having a great year,