News etc

Australia has named it's gymnastics teams for the 2010 Commonwealth Games
Men: Phil Rizzo, Prashanth Sellathurai, Sam Offord, Thomas Pichler + Josh Jefferis
Women: Lauren Mitchell, Ashleigh Brennan, Georgia Bonora, Emily Little + Mary Ann Monckton.

The alternates for the womens team are Shona Morgan and Georgia Wheeler. All these, as well as Emma Dennis, Britt Greeley, Georgia Simpson, Larrissa Miller and Natasha Hammann will attend a camp on 12 September from where the World team will also be chosen.

The FIG has announced the 2010 world championships will be the biggest ever, with 690 gymnasts due to compete. Brazil's Daiane Dos Santos is also hoping to make a comeback at Worlds this year.

The British mens gymnastics team (Yevgeni Gryshchenko, Sam Hunter, Ruslan Panteleymonov, Daniel Purvis, Theo Seager, Kristian Thomash) have headed off to train with the Japanese men for 2 weeks. (British Gymnastics)

The British Trampolining Championships take place this weekend at the NIA in Birmingham. Definitely worth a look if you're in the area. If you're in a completely different area the US Covergirl Classic is also happening.

2004 men's Olympic all-around champion Paul Hamm is planning a comeback in time for London2012. Hamm looked a safe bet for the '08 olympic team but had to withdraw at the US olympic trials after injuring his hand. He intends to begin competing again from 2011.

As was going around the rumour mill earlier - US skater Caroline Zhang has indeed changed coaches to Tammy Gambill. The announcement was posted on icenetwork and universal sports.

NISA has posted their assignment of GB skaters for the Junior Grand Prix this season.

News Bits

Georgia Bonora is leading the All Around competition at the Australian Gymnastics hampionships. You can read a great article by the Gymnastics Examiner here, or Australian Gymnastics here.
The nationals will help to decide the World and Commonwealth teams.


American Skater Johnny Weir is taking this season off to try and develop his skating and persue his other interests.
(Surprise Surprise!)

You can read a full article from icenetwork as well as a written statement from Johnny.

Johhny tweeted "I am sorry to disappoint you all. I will be back. Don't be sad. I love you so much."

To be fair, Johnny has been focusing more on the celebrity than on the skating recently. But he says he'll be back so we'll watch and wait.

If he and Evan both sit out Nationals this year it will make way for a new wave of talent.

Also, Michelle Kwan and Yu-Na kim are to skate a duet to Maria Carey's song 'Hero' in Yu-Na's show - All That Skate Summer. Yesterday was Michelle's 30th birthday. That these two champions who have done so much for the sport have a mutual appreciation society is great.

Also This Weekend

The Japan Cup international competition is taking place in Tokyo. The event includes Mens and Womens team events and all-around.

The Participant list is here

MEN

WOMEN

FRA FRANCE RAYEPIN, Yann AITSAID, Samir VIEU, Cyril AUGIS, Axel WILLIG, Arnaud GBR GREAT BRITAIN HUNTER, Samuel THOMAS, Kristian PURVIS, Daniel SEAGER, Theo GRYSHCHENKO, Yevgen GER GERMANY BOY, Philipp FAHRIG, Matthias HAMBUECHEN, Fabian NGUYEN, Marcel SPIRIDONOV, Eugen KOR KOREA KIM, Hee Hoon HA, Chang Ju YOO, WonChul KIM, Soo Myun YANG, Hak Seon ROU ROMANIA DRAGULESCU, Marian COTUNA, Vlad MUNTEAN, Andrei URSACHE, Andrei RUS RUSSIA BODNAR, Mikhail BALANDIN, Aleksandr BELYAVSKIY, David PAKHOMENKO, Igor PETROV, Matvey USA UNITED STATES BROOKS, Christopher CAMERON, Christopher HORTON, Jonathan NADDOUR, Alexander RUGGERI, Paul JPN JAPAN UCHIMURA, Kohei YAMAMURO, Koji UEMATSU, Koji TANAKA, Kazuhito KOBAYASHI, Kenya

KOR KOREA JO, Hyun Joo PARK, Ji Yeon PARK, Eun Kyung MOON, Eun Mee SEO, Yi Seul RUS RUSSIA MUSTAFINA, Aliya NABIEVA, Tatiana DEMENTYEVA, Anna MUSINA, Ramilya AFANASYEVA, Kusenia VIE VIETNAM DO, Thi Ngan Thuong DO, Thi Thu Huyen PHAN, Thi Ha Thanh JPN JAPAN TSURUMI, Koko SHINTAKE, Yuko TANAKA, Rie YAMAGISHI, Mai OZAWA, Momoko OSHIMA, Kyoko * Yet to be selected fro

The Australian Womens Gymnastics Championships take place in Perth, Australia. Aussie Star Lauren Mitchell is sitting them out to recover from an adductor strain, but still hopes to compete at Worlds AND Commonwealths.

As mentioned- the British Championships take place in Guildford.

Today - Happy Canada Day!

Tomorrow - My first year med-school results, wish me luck!