Shelby Kisiel to show world class talent at the World Championships

The list of participants at this year's World Championship has come out and guess which of my personal favorites will represent the United States: Shelby Kisiel, of course. I already wrote about her here: http://ludafenka-en.blogspot.com/search?q=kisiel

I am glad Shelby's going to the Worlds because I think she is probably the best North America has had to offer... possibly ever. When I look at Shelby, I see clean lines, beautifully arched feet, a super model figure, natural elegance, very nice arms, a lot of control in her balances, top-notch back flexibility,  style, and charisma. This gymnast could do magical things on the carpet! I just hope she stays healthy and does not choose other beautiful things to do other than our favorite sport.

And, I just want to add something about her purple leotard: I want it! Where I would wear it remains unclear, but it gets very close to what I would call "a perfect match" It really works with her fair skin tone, and calls the attention to her wrists, which is always feminine and fun.

As a treat to the fans, some Shelby pictures:

Sofia Dreams and Shimmers

Here are some pictures from the World Cup event in Sofia last month.

Photography: Alexander Dimitrov Seuret


Two super-talented gymnasts in yellow:







Which of these gymnasts is going to the Worlds in Montpelier? Tricky question but the answer always is: the coach's favorite, of course.

Striking groups:





I have to say I love watching the German group more and more but not as much as I enjoy watching Switzerland. As for Japan, I have always loved their style but I have seen even more imaginative routines from them than what they are currently showing.

A Black (and Somewhat White) Memory from 15 Years Ago

This picture of the 1996 Olympics medalists, Ekaterina Serebryanskaya, Yanina Batyrchina and Elena Vitrichenko fell on my hands this morning. It comes from an English-language book that the former FIG boss Yuri Titov co-authored in 1999, called simply "Rhythmic Gymnastics."

The look on Elena Vitrichenko's face is not as bitter as some of her interviews lately have become. But the
feeling of hurt is there. Ekaterina and Yana dropped their ribbons, and guess who comes away with the bronze: Elena, the girl, who had no errors whatsoever. And there is Serebryanskaya,if she could, she would elbow her compatriot of the podium altogether. But nobody ever remembers this because, of course, we like to talk about how the Russian girls are overscored, and the Ukraine is always right.

But the thing is, when you get as good at something, as Vitrichenko, and her mom, the late Nina Vitrichenko were, a bronze is not enough. It's especially not enough, when others are making ribbon and when you have, in the past, fairly beaten the likes of Petrova (Bulgaria), Lipkovskaya (Russia), Zaripova (Russia) and Lukyanenko (Belarus). But somehow they never complained. Because I am sure it is more easy to swallow when someone from your own country has stabbed you in the back. Right?

Well, here you have it, let me remind you. It was a very unfair Olympics. Hopefully, London 2012 would be fairer.