Today I'd like to post 3 old, but good ball routines that may not have become popular in the 90s, but still held something very special in terms of creating a mood for the audience and telling a story through movement. The 1990s were a special time for gymnastics in terms of transitioning from a more artistic sport to a more athletic discipline with more body difficulties. These routines cannot really compare to the achievements of the gymnasts in the new century, but these routines demonstrate a body language full of musicality and expressions that many gymnasts with more challenging elements should aspire to show.
I hope you will take a moment to watch them and will see the beauty in them that I have seen many times.
It both encourages me and perplexes me that gymnastics, a sport, can be so intertwined with art, and mostly, with emotions. Emotions do not always act as a good guide to success and stability but relying on them and trying to understand them makes them turn into a constant learning experience, with endless room to grow and not necessarily measurable results.
9/20/2013
Thrilling Ribbon, Truly Bulgarian
The "Margarita Rangelova" tournament in Sofia is one of my favorite event because it bears the name of my favorite sports journalist, Margarita Rangelova, who wrote several books and many articles about Neshka Robeva and the Bulgarian "golden girls." Margarita wrote about gymnastics with infectious enthusiasm, but, at the same time, she never invaded anyone's personal space with her writing. She never rushed to judgment and she never got tired to admire.
I think if she could see what Bulgarian rhythmic gymnastics has become today, she would have continued to seek and praise the most beautiful routines. And she certainly would have loved the routine that I am about to share right now.
Neviana Vladinova, who won this year's edition of the tournament has presented this risky and original ribbon routine that I would like to share with you. Watch for the difficult tosses, for the connections between elements and the unity of the gymnast with the music, which are all attributes of the Bulgarian rhythmic style.
This routine has given me the shivers!
I wish more gymnasts in the future would challenge themselves to present routines with more risk as well as with a memorable and original choreography.
I think if she could see what Bulgarian rhythmic gymnastics has become today, she would have continued to seek and praise the most beautiful routines. And she certainly would have loved the routine that I am about to share right now.
Neviana Vladinova, who won this year's edition of the tournament has presented this risky and original ribbon routine that I would like to share with you. Watch for the difficult tosses, for the connections between elements and the unity of the gymnast with the music, which are all attributes of the Bulgarian rhythmic style.
This routine has given me the shivers!
I wish more gymnasts in the future would challenge themselves to present routines with more risk as well as with a memorable and original choreography.
9/02/2013
What a Wonderful World (Championship)
The world championship in Kiev brought fair results that pleased many, if not most fans. As a fan, I am pleased because two of the gymnasts, who I wrote about back in 2011, Mamun from Russia (ball and clubs champion), and Narkevich from Belarus (as part of the Russian group) became world champions. I liked them a lot back then and I am very happy for them now.
Yana Kudryavtseva, on the other hand, was the absolutely uncontested and incomparable world champion. Before her last routine, she actually gestured to the Russian national coach, as if to say, "Don't worry, I'll win it."
My other favorite, Melitina Staniouta, came back with three bronze medals and I hope to see her win gold, too, she deserves it. How about the host country and everyone's favorite Ukrainians? I was not surprised to see Ganna Rizatdinova win with hoop. Hoop is by far her best routine this season:
And Alina Maksymenko got a bronze with clubs, too, after numerous errors, small and large, that she made in her other routines.
Still, she was smiling the moment she stepped out in front of the audience loves her so much. I don't know if she is planning to retire. I think she is still young and she can work on focusing better and performing cleaner routines. But it seems she thoroughly enjoyed herself anyway.
New stars have risen, too, on the world gymnastics horizon. One of them is the Greek Varvara Filiou, who I have really liked lately. She impressed me A LOT during the European Championships, the Mediterranean games and the Kazan Universiade. She placed 4th with ribbon at this World Championship so I hope many medals await her, and overall, a great career full of health and fan love. Congratulations!
Yana Kudryavtseva, on the other hand, was the absolutely uncontested and incomparable world champion. Before her last routine, she actually gestured to the Russian national coach, as if to say, "Don't worry, I'll win it."
My other favorite, Melitina Staniouta, came back with three bronze medals and I hope to see her win gold, too, she deserves it. How about the host country and everyone's favorite Ukrainians? I was not surprised to see Ganna Rizatdinova win with hoop. Hoop is by far her best routine this season:
And Alina Maksymenko got a bronze with clubs, too, after numerous errors, small and large, that she made in her other routines.
Still, she was smiling the moment she stepped out in front of the audience loves her so much. I don't know if she is planning to retire. I think she is still young and she can work on focusing better and performing cleaner routines. But it seems she thoroughly enjoyed herself anyway.
New stars have risen, too, on the world gymnastics horizon. One of them is the Greek Varvara Filiou, who I have really liked lately. She impressed me A LOT during the European Championships, the Mediterranean games and the Kazan Universiade. She placed 4th with ribbon at this World Championship so I hope many medals await her, and overall, a great career full of health and fan love. Congratulations!
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