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This week, we have a commission from Club Gym Nerd member Sara, who requested an episode all about the things you only know if you’ve actually done gymnastics. But that’s not all! We have the pleasure of being joined by a special guest, Dutch elite gymnast and 2017 world floor finalist Bram Verhofstad, to help us in this vital mission.  

From how annoying it is when people ask if you’re going to the Olympics (NO! SHUT IT!), to pit boogers and urban legends (or not so urban legends) about finding rats in the pit, to the only proper way to break in grips, to gymnast’s gross cool and impressive hands, to favorite beams, to vault-step rituals, to awkward spotting accidents, it turns out there’s a lot that gymnasts know that no one else could ever understand. Plus, you’re going to learn what “tricky boys” are, and you won’t be disappointed. 

Find Bram Verhofstad on YouTube , Instagram

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FURTHER READING

• Worlds Team Updates
• Paris World Cup
• Things Are Happening – September 13, 2019
• The Race to Tokyo – All-Around Qualification
• The Race to Tokyo – The Bubble Teams

RELATED EPISODES

• 384: But What about Allan?
• 383: Russians and Investigations
• 382: 2020 Olympic Qualification with Prof. Spencer
• 381: I’m Just Pissed Off Already—US Nationals Review

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

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Heads up! We have a bonus, extra mini-episode this week because we really need to talk about the Department of Justice. 

GYMTERNET NEWS

• The Wall Street Journal and OC Register report that the Department of Justice is investigating sexual abuse claims AND financial and business misconduct within Olympic organizations
  • Jessica has never been more excited about anything, ever
  • Steve Penny, endorsement deals, and the post-Olympic tour. MMMM HMMM.
• Bruno Grandi, former president of the FIG, has died
• Comeback queens Chen Yile and Sanne Wevers are going to Worlds!
• Polish gymnastics jail exists and is NOT OK
• California passed a bill that would let college athletes collect endorsement money. We discuss what this could mean for the NCAA (say it with us, “a multi-BILLION dollar organization!”) and for college athletes. 

MEET NEWS

• Everyone chanted for Melanie at the Paris World Cup and also just screamed through the entirety of floor routines. 
• Plus, what you need to know for following US women’s selection camp this weekend. It’s this weekend, you guys! AHHHHH!

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• Join Club Gym Nerd here.
• Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here.
• GymCastic Meet-Up in Stuttgart at Worlds, Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 11 AM UTC+02

RELATED EPISODES

• 384: But What about Allan?
• 383: Russians and Investigations
• 382: 2020 Olympic Qualification with Prof. Spencer
• 381: I’m Just Pissed Off Already—US Nationals Review

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

LISTEN HERE

 

US MEN’S SELECTION CAMP

• The worlds team has been named: Sam Mikulak, Yul Moldauer, Akash Modi, Trevor Howard, and Shane Wiskus. Allan Bower is traveling alternate. 
• The drama before the drama: VP of the men’s program Dennis McIntyre resigned on the eve of camp
  • Who is Dennis McIntyre?
  • How do we feel about him?
  • What’s with the timing? And what’s with those Danell Leyva/Jon Horton tweets?
• What went down at selection camp
  • Why Colin Van Wicklen didn’t make the team, and why Donnell Whittenburg had to high five himself
  • The US men (that’s right, the US men) had a 97% hit rate. And Sam Mikulak (that’s right, Sam Mikulak) has gone 24-for-24, along with Akash Modi and Shane Wiskus. WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?
• Allan Bower is the alternate. Kensley talks us through what’s going on feelings-wise. 
• Why this was an impossible choice with no right answer, but also why the selected team makes sense

GYMCASTIC GLOBAL

• The Netherlands friendly was LIT as the youths say. Do the youths still say lit? We gush about Lieke and Eythora on floor for a while. As is required. 
• Giorgia Villa and that beam routine
• The World Challenge Cup in Szombathely brought us the return of Roxana Popa, history for South Africa, NECK TATTOOS OF LOVE, and the MAG comedy troupe—featuring Oleg and Shatilov and Spencer’s new obsession, Sofus Heggemsnes and his salute and facial expressions) 
• Ioana Stanciulescu’s beam mount at Romanian nationals
• Nominative rosters for worlds are OUT!
  • We discuss the risky strategy of leaving people off teams for Olympic qualification reasons
  • Where is our Epke?
  • NCAA women to worlds
  • Why you need to stop freaking out about the US women. For now.

GYMTERNET NEWS

• Gymnastics coach Joseph Lewin sentenced for molesting girls
• Our semi-regular update to use caution with backyard trampolines or trampoline parks–see image and story posted to our Twitters (warning, the image is graphic)
• A friendly reminder that everyone should be following Chellsie Memmel on the socials because she continues to do amazing things and share them.
• Ohashi’s ESPN Body issue is out.
• Svetlana Khorkina is expecting her second child
• In an interview Shawn Johnson East Says Day After the Olympics Was ‘One of the Hardest Days of My Life’ https://buff.ly/2HMxQp0
• Mai Murakami has said she will call it quits after 2020
• Michigan State University News
  • MSU was fined a record $4.5 million for Larry Nassar sexual abuse
  • MSU seeks to dismiss lawsuits filed by more than 100 Larry Nassar victims

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• Join Club Gym Nerd here.
• Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here.

FURTHER READING

• US Men’s Selection – Day 2 Live Blog
• Women’s Nominative Rosters
• US Men’s Selection – Day 1 Live Blog
• US Men’s Selection Camp Preview
• Let’s Talk Worlds Teams – Netherlands and Italy
• Have Mersin! (Challenge Cup)
• Things Are Happening – August 30, 2019
• 2020 NCAA Roster Reveals

RELATED EPISODES

• 383: Russians and Investigations
• 382: 2020 Olympic Qualification with Prof. Spencer
• 381: I’m Just Pissed Off Already—US Nationals Review

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

LISTEN HERE

 

GYMTERNET NEWS

FIRST: Remember to take our GymCastic listener survey!

This week, we’re discussing Russians and investigations (but not Russia investigations) as the USAG dumpster fire and Russian Cup dominate the headlines.

• Maggie Haney, coach of Laurie Hernandez and Riley McCusker, is under investigation for allegations of verbal and emotional abuse and pressuring athletes to compete while injured.
• Anna Li denied wrongdoing and came out as a survivor as well. We discuss that timing.
  • According to new reporting, USAG has been aware of allegations against Anna Li and Wu Jiani since at least 2017. At nationals, Li Li Leung said they first learned of allegations in July of this year.
• Aliya Mustafina is out of worlds. Cancel it. 
• Jade Carey is training a triple double (and there was a broke-ass article about it that we discuss) 
• The qualification system for worlds in 2021-2023 is now official
• The FIG has approved the raising of the uneven bars by 5cm next quad. Is this a big deal? 
• Junior worlds is officially a thing
• The French team went to WCC again for world peace
• GoFundMes for the Jamaican National Team, Marta Pihan-Kulesza and Roman Kulesza, and one we’re not going to link to. 
• The latest on robot judging at 2019 worlds
• Moving on from elite news: Juliette Bossu, Agnes Suto-Tuuha, and Alyona Shchennikova
• Read of the week: When athletes kneel, the rotten U.S. Olympic regime has no moral standing to object. A great column by Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post.
• Um…the Aurora Games

RUSSIAN CUP

• Mustafina and Nabieva didn’t compete but it was still a meet somehow
• Vladislava Urazbova is the queen of queens and everyone is dying about her triple Y. 
• Gerasimova is another junior heiress (and had a hilarious wolf turn too)
• Melnikova is doing fine (no matter what Valentina says), Lilia Akhaimova is the star Russia needs, what is up with Maria Paseka, the Daria Spridonova renaissance, and worries that Simakova is going to get Seda-ed.
• Maria Kharenkova will compete for Georgia!
• Nikita Nagornyy is the champion of men and love, and other things about dudes

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FURTHER READING

• Things Are Happening – August 23, 2019
• The Most Difficult Floor Routines in the World
• The Most Difficult (Attempted) Beam Routines in the World
• The Most Difficult Bars Routines in the World

RELATED EPISODES

• 382: 2020 Olympic Qualification with Prof. Spencer
• 381: I’m Just Pissed Off Already—US Nationals Review
• 379: US Nationals Preview, Pan Am Games, Gymternet News
• 378: KONNOR MCCLAIN! US Classic Junior Review
• 377: CAPES! The US Classic Senior Review
• 373: Nabieva Returns and Morgan Hurd Special Announcement
• 371: European Games 2019

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

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Spencer is alone this week for a comprehensive explainer of this comically complicated 2020 Olympic qualification process, answering all the questions you were too afraid to ask because you didn’t quite understand them.

THE PROCESS

• How teams qualify to the Olympics from worlds
• How individuals qualify to the Olympics from worlds
• WTF the “Jade Carey route” is
• How the all-around world cups are different from the apparatus world cups and why they matter (AHHHHH)
• Why continental championships are so important in 2020

YOUR QUESTIONS

• Jade Carey?
• Sub-question: Jade Carey, Jade Carey, Jade Carey?
• How is the US going to qualify its fifth and sixth women to the Olympics?
• What will these non-team individuals even do at the Olympics?
• What should the US strategy be for that second individual spot?
• How does 2-per-country work at the Olympics with all these individuals?
• BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF THE US WANTS JADE CAREY ON THE TEAM OF 4?!?!?!
• Could the US send MyKayla Skinner and/or Sunisa Lee to apparatus world cups?
• Won’t somebody PLEASE think about Becky Downie and Epke Zonerland??? (Yes.)
• What are the best chances for the US men to get extra Olympic spots?
• Which countries are going to end up with 6 athletes at the Olympics?
• How could this process be better? (All the ways?)

FURTHER READING

• The Most Difficult Bars Routines in the World
• Things Are Happening – August 16, 2019
• Simone Biles Difficulty Score Analysis
• The Scores: Post-Nationals Edition
• US Nationals: A GIFstory

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• Join Club Gym Nerd here.
• Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here.

RELATED EPISODES

• 381: I’m Just Pissed Off Already—US Nationals Review
• 380: CSI: Code of Points with Chellsie Memmel
• 379: US Nationals Preview, Pan Am Games, Gymternet News
• 378: KONNOR MCCLAIN! US Classic Junior Review
• 377: CAPES! The US Classic Senior Review
• 376: US Classic Preview and Mag 7 Musical Review
• 375: Double Kovacs to Low Bar
• 374: GymCastic Podcast—Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Heading (Commissioned)
• 373: Nabieva Returns and Morgan Hurd Special Announcement
• 372: Junior Worlds and Gymternet News
• 371: European Games 2019

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

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US NATIONALS

SENIOR WOMEN

• The saga of 6-time national champion Simone Biles
  • From GOAT leos to badass quotes to “piece of shit” routines to the triple double and the double double to winning…a bowl, we dissect all things Simone
• But also…this meet was weird you guys
  • What happened to Riley McCusker on day 2?
  • Was this whole Pan-Ams-right-into-nationals thing a bad idea?
  • Morgan Hurd’s floor routines—from day 1 bizarreness to day 2 triumph
  • Queen Sunisa rises above

LI LI LEUNG

• The media had a 45-minute session with Li Li Leung and Kensley tells us everything she learned about new positions, the Daniels Report, bankruptcy, decertification, the Legacy Elite investigation, the Edward Nyman debacle, and the future of USAG

SENIOR WOMEN CONTINUED

• Some CSI: Code of Points Unit with Leanne Wong’s floor, NCAA triumph for Trinity Thomas and MyKayla Skinner, Jordan Chiles winning the E score crown, Jade Carey Olympic qualification implications, and much more

MEN

• The MOST IMPORTANT stars of the meet, like Donnell Whittenburg’s sweatband and Gage Dyer’s full-twisting butterfly
• Sam Mikulak hit 12-for-12 you guys. Sam Mikulak. At nationals. Also, his pommel horse warmup is a penguin dance. FYI. 
• Updates on Colin Van Wicklen and Alec Yoder, our ideas for Akash Modi sponsorships, Shane Wiskus’s one-arm Cassina, why Brody Malone was left off the national team, and what the worlds team outlook is now. 
• Kensley talked to Brett McClure about how the Pan Ams performances were compared to nationals performances for the purposes of selection and which athletes want to go the individual world cup route
• Which MAG athletes want to do floor with music
• Asher Hong finally competed at nationals, and Colt Walker and Taylor Burkhart were junior champions

JUNIOR WOMEN

• Kayla Di Cello and Konnor McClain in an epic fight to the finish
• This meet was oddly consistent for juniors
• Highlights including the unintentional soundtrack to Konnor McClain’s beam, Ariel Posen’s sissone, Sydney Morris’s back full on beam, and the beam-coach reaction cam.
• Which juniors might be in the mix for Tokyo

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FURTHER READING

• Moving Forward: A Conversation with Li Li Leung
• Junior WAG and MAG Podium Training Interview
• Simone Sparkles With a GOAT on Her Leo & Expresses Frustration With USAG
• US Nationals: A GIFstory
• US Nationals – Senior Women Day 2 Live Blog
• Live Blog: 2019 U.S. National Championships – Women Finals, August 11th
• US Nationals – Junior Women Day 2 Live Blog
• Live Blog: 2019 U.S. National Championships – Men Finals, August 10th
• US Nationals – Senior Women Day 1 Live Blog
• US Nationals – Junior Women Day 1 Live Blog
• Live Blog: 2019 U.S. National Championships – Women Day 1, August 9th
• Live Blog: 2019 U.S. National Championships – Men Day 1, August 8th

RELATED EPISODES

• CSI: Code of Points with Chellsie Memmel
• 379: US Nationals Preview, Pan Am Games, Gymternet News
• 378: KONNOR MCCLAIN! US Classic Junior Review
• 377: CAPES! The US Classic Senior Review
• 376: US Classic Preview and Mag 7 Musical Review
• 375: Double Kovacs to Low Bar
• 374: GymCastic Podcast—Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Heading (Commissioned)
• 373: Nabieva Returns and Morgan Hurd Special Announcement
• 372: Junior Worlds and Gymternet News
• 371: European Games 2019

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

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CSI: Code of Points with Chellsie Memmel

•  Post-prelims code trends and common deductions with Brevet Judge, World Champion and Olympic medalist, Chellsie Memmel of My Gym Judge

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• Join Club Gym Nerd here.
• Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here.

RELATED EPISODES

• Live Blog: 2019 U.S. National Championships – Men Finals, August 10th
• Live Blog: 2019 U.S. National Championships – Women Day 1, August 9th
• Moving Forward: A Conversation with Li Li Leung
• Junior WAG and MAG Podium Training Interview
• Live Blog: 2019 U.S. National Championships – Men Day 1, August 8th
• Simone Sparkles With a GOAT on Her Leo & Expresses Frustration With USAG
• 379: US Nationals Preview, Pan Am Games, Gymternet News
• Live Blog: 2019 U.S. National Championships – Podium Training, August 7th
• 378: KONNOR MCCLAIN! US Classic Junior Review
• Episode 9: Chellsie Memmel, Swiss Cup & FIG Presidential Proposals

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

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GYMTERNET NEWS (7:46)

• Valeri Liukin opened his mouth and garbage popped out. Stefane is here with a special editorial comment. 
• Anna Li and Wu Jiani are being investigated by USA Gymnastics for alleged verbal and emotional abuse
• Jessica has an Aurora Games update
• What we learned from the Senate committee’s damning report and the proposed legislation
• The new Olympic Channel series All Around is out!!!!
• Universal Gymnastics is closing

PAN AMERICAN GAMES (45:51)

• Queen Ellie Black was unfazed by the nonsense that was this meet and won FIVE medals
• Deconstructing the US performance – successful and full of drama? Sounds about right.
  • We discuss the team competition lineup, the AA final performances, Kara Eaker’s emergence as a four-event gymnast, the Aleah Finnegan concussion situation, do some serious CSI: Code of Points Unit work, and break down the “Riley McCusker is inconsistent” narrative
• Arthur Nory broke the high bar and got to go again—but should he have? Plus, an impressive competition for the Canadian men and a mixed bag for the US that nonetheless ended with three event medals

US NATIONALS PREVIEW (1:20:14)

• It’s the national championship, people! We have your schedule and watching assignments covered
• Senior women
  • What do we expect from the Pan Am Games athletes? How does one reconcile the apparent allowance to take it easy at nationals with this intense race to make the worlds team and the national team?
  • It’s a battle for second place, and we delve into the top contenders and what we need to see from them at nationals
  • The big questions: What was up with Leanne Wong not doing AA at Pan Ams, is Sunisa Lee ready to do four events, and how have Skinner and Chiles progressed since Classic?
  • Also a scrappy little nobody named Simone Biles
  • The race for the national team spots is going to be SERIOUS.
• Senior men (1:45:18)
  • Kensley gives us an update on the US men if, for instance, perhaps, maybe you haven’t been following them since worlds last year
  • Is Yul Moldauer repaired enough to reclaim his rightful second place position?
  • Does Colin Van Wicklen’s vault make him a lock for worlds?
  • Is this the moment Allan Bower’s consistency will pay off?
  • Donnell Whittenburg is returning to the AA. How will that work out?
  • Alec Yoder’s Hugo Boss commercial. Also pommel horse.
  • The return of Eddie Penev
• Junior women (2:05:01)
  • We should (actually!) have a tight race for the title in the junior women. Spencer breaks down the top six contenders and what each has going for her.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DUTCH

• Announcing the return of the So You Think You Can Dutch contest (with PRIZES!) at nationals, hosted by Like a Champ! and Precision Choreo & Camps. 
  • When: August 10, 2019
  • Where: Percheron Hotel Rooftop, 2101 Central Street, 4:00-5:30 
    • Get the opportunity to hang out with Alicia Sacramone, Jason Gatson, and more of the “Like a Champ!” and Precision Choreo & Camps crew in a casual setting. This is a rare opportunity to chat, joke, high five, and let your Sac-flag fly.  
  • ALSO!!!!!! There is an online contest to win VIP seating at this meetup as well as FOUR TICKETS TO SENIOR WAG FINALS!!
    • Post a pic of your most creative arabesque and tag @likeachampcamps and @precisionchoreo with the hashtag: #precisionposetix. The winner will be announced at the meetup!
  • 5:15 pm  Individual and Team Registration for “So You Think You Can Dutch!” We will only be accepting the first 20 registrants!
  • 5:30pm Nicole Langevin from Precision will be leading the WORLD FAMOUS Precision Warm Up (with LIVE video) so learn it because it will be recorded live!
    • The best “Warm-Uppers” will receive actual “Like a Champ!” Medals that are reserved for standout athletes at Like a Champ! camps!
  • 5:45 pm SYTYCD Competition Begins!!!!
  • 6:15 pm Award Ceremony
  • We all go watch senior men! HOORAY!

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• Join Club Gym Nerd here.
• Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here.

RELATED EPISODES

• 378: KONNOR MCCLAIN! US Classic Junior Review
• 377: CAPES! The US Classic Senior Review
• 376: US Classic Preview and Mag 7 Musical Review
• 375: Double Kovacs to Low Bar
• 374: GymCastic Podcast—Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Heading (Commissioned)
• 373: Nabieva Returns and Morgan Hurd Special Announcement
• 372: Junior Worlds and Gymternet News
• 371: European Games 2019

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN