Danny Sierra Blogs

It has been ten years since a new collegiate gymnastics program was added, with the University of Arkansas women’s team beginning competition in the 2002-03 season.  In gymnastics, college fans are more likely to find themselves rallying around a program in danger of being cut than welcoming a new member to the close-knit gymnastics community. This season, fans will have the opportunity to celebrate an expansion in NCAA gymnastics, as Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. joins the women’s collegiate gymnastics ranks. &nbs...

Experience and an iron will helped Russia's Aliya Mustafina become an unlikely star of the 2012 Olympics.  Her defiant personality, steely focus and intensity in competition have earned her the title of "diva" - yet a more realistic depiction of Mustafina may be that she is one of the most passionate gymnasts to ever grace the Olympic stage. She began her career as a wondrously talented junior gymnast - a plot line that often fizzles in the demanding sport of gymnastics.  In 2009, she won the all around title at both the Russian Cham...

Iordache In; Bulimar Out According to ProSport, the Romanian coaches have decided to replace Diana Bulimar in the balance beam final with teammate Larisa Iordache.  Dealing with an injured foot, Iordache has not been at her best in London, posting only 14.8 in qualifying.  She went on to deliver a 15.3 for Romania in team finals, which likely played a part in the decision. Will "The Flying Dutchman" Prevail? Known for his exciting release moves on high bar, Epke Zonderland from the Netherlands has never won World or Olympic gold on h...

From McKayla Maroney's shocking fall (and resultant silver medal) on vault, to the dramatic tiebreaker that cost Great Britain's Louis Smith a gold medal on pommel horse, the Olympic event finals got off to a lively start on Sunday.   With contests to decide the Olympic medalists on still rings, uneven bars and men's vault upcoming, here are the storylines you'll want to pay attention to on Day 2. Denis Ablyazin's Full Schedule After winning a bronze medal on floor exercise, Russia's Denis Ablyazin will compete in both the still rings and...

Douglas Secures American Threepeat 2012 Champion Gabby Douglas joins Nastia Liukin (2008), Carly Patterson (2004) and Mary Lou Retton (1984) as the only American women to win the Olympic all around crown.   Iordache Competes In the lead-up to London, it looked unlikely that Romania's best gymnast, Larisa Iordache, would be able to compete all four events, suffering from fasciitis in her foot.  While she didn't have a perfect day, Iordache was able to close out her first Olympics with a top-ten finish in the women's all around.  ...

The Women's All Around Final differs from the Men's Final in that there are less gymnasts in the running for medals and only a handful that can compete for the gold. Additionally, there is no Kohei Uchimura figure - a dominant favorite who stands well above the rest.  Below are the athletes to watch for in the medal hunt, along with an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses.   Viktoria Komova, Russia   The silver medalist from last year's World Championships, Komova placed first in the qualification round.  An elegant g...

With the Men's All Around Final just around the corner, Gymnastike breaks down the countries, athletes and performances to look out for in the Olympic final.  If the Men's Qualifications and Team Finals showed us one thing, it's that anything can happen in men's gymnastics at the 2012 London Olympics.   JAPAN- THE FAVORITE   Three-time defending World All Around Champion Kohei Uchimura of Japan proved already in these Olympics that he is not unbeatable.  In the first round of competition, Uchimura finished in ninth place, c...

Rita Wieber is the mother of World and US Champion Jordyn Wieber of Gedderts' Twistars USA in Michigan. Rita will be blogging about her experience throughout the Olympic Games. She most recently wrote a book, Gym Mom, giving you the ins and outs of the sport of womens gymnastics from the mom's persepective.  Below is her latest blog post. For more from Rita, visit http://www.gymmom.net God has a plan, that I know..... Things don't always end up as we think they should-- but in the end... maybe not for a very long t...

10. Russian Resurgence After years of disappointing results, the Russian men look to have a return to glory in London, finishing second as a team in prelims and qualifying a gymnast to every single individual final.  Top performers include the stylish David Belyavskiy, who qualified to the all around final in second, as well as insanely powerful vaulter Denis Albyazin, who vaults a thrilling half-on, 2 1/2 twist off, which helped him qualify in first to the final. 9. "Officially" Olympians So many gymnasts, after years of hard work, achie...

John Geddert is the personal coach to World and US Champion Jordyn Wieber at Gedderts' Twistars USA in Michigan. Below is his latest blog post. For more from Coach John Geddert, visit thegymnasticscoach.com Olympic Games- Post 2 by JOHN GEDDERT on JULY 25, 2012 I get the sensation that I have been living in a parallel universe. Things are happening in my normal life, the gym back home is still functioning, family and friends are conducting business as usual yet I have lost a sense of contact.These prolonged events creat...