2012 Secret US Classic

2012 Secret U.S. Classic Live Stream and Coverage

The Olympic season kicks off for the top female gymnasts in the United States with the 2012 Secret U.S. Classic. Gymnastike will be on hand in Chicago bringing you live updates, videos, intervi...

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Aly Raisman, Classic Champion, gaining confidence with big tricks 6488 views

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Uploaded by Jason from Gymnastike | May 26, 2012

Aly Raisman wins her second consecutive US Classic with a consistent all-around performance, scoring 60.35. Raisman talks about gaining confidence with her Amanar on vault and how she can improve looking forward to Visa Championships and Olympic Trials.

Speakers: Aly Raisman

Categories: Interview

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15 comments

Anonymous Coward 12 months ago

I love aly, but IMO she needs to walk around in toe shoes from now until olympics. When she is doing gymnastics, a lot of the time it doesn't look like she's wearing toe shoes, it looks like she's wearing UGGS! Seems like the simplest of fixes. I can't imagine she isn't aware of it. It would make a huuuuge difference in her presentation! I'm not the world's biggest Nastia fan, but her form, finesse and presentation on beam the other day is what I would classify as "Elite". I want Aly to fix it. She has less than 60 days to do it, and she definitely CAN!

gymfan 12 months ago

I like Aly, too. She is an amazing tumbler, and has been consistent and mentally strong. But as others have noted, I'm worried the Olympic judges are going to bash her on her artistry. She seemed a little better in syncing her floor movements to the music this time, but the choreography really does not do her any favors. That said, all the gymnasts have their weaknesses: Komova has great skills and artistry, but she is notably weak on mental toughness; a couple of wobbles and she gives up. That can be a greater handicap than flexed toes.

mc 12 months ago

@RY - the great floor workers - and gymnasts - aren't either great tumblers or gracefu. They are BOTH. Nastia, Johnson, Komova, Mustafina, Ibaza, et al these gymnasts are able to do outstanding tumbling and deliver polished gymnastics. Again, not every gymnast is going to have a balletic style. That's fine. But at this level you expect a certain degree of polish and Aly just doesn't have it. Flexed feet, loose legs, hunched shoulders. Why has no one addressed this? It's too bad because it keeps Aly from acheiving her full potential. In London there will be plenty of great tumbling. The winning gymnasts will have great skills plus a polished look.

RY 12 months ago

The question is, is it ok to be a wonderful tumbler but not be able to dance or show grace? If it were the other way round - a girl who couldn't tumble well but was a beautiful dancer - the answer would be 'no way'. I don't think it's acceptable to compensate for an entire area of the sport by being extra strong in another area.

john 12 months ago

@Anonymous Coward: Let's hope and pray that the judges for the FX final are not biased towards Classical style and beautiful lines... She deserved the Gold at world's last year but lost it in the artistry department!

Anonymous Coward 12 months ago

I actually enjoyed the dance part of her routine, even though I dislike the choreography. There are some truly terrible dancers out there and she's definitely not one of them.

With probably the best tumbling in the world I don't see why she couldn't win on floor in London.

Sam 12 months ago

It would be great if one of media could ask marta the flexed feet question. Everyone wonders the same thing every time. Do they not know how to help point her feet on bars?? So many great coaches are at those camps. Wouldn't they want to do everything. I'm sure there is something more to it but she really could be a serious aa contender otherwise.

@r 12 months ago

She is a great floor worker, you are right, and to a degree she manages to hide the fact that she can't dance with nice poses and some clever choreography. The best in the world though... as far as I am aware she didn't win the last Worlds on FX. No matter how big a fan you might be, there is just no denying that she is badly lacking in grace and artistry. He flexed feet on bars are beyond belief at this level. Asking me to look in the mirror is an interesting one - I wasn't comparing her to myself! I'm trying to analyse her abilities rationally. I hope she does well in any case as she attacks her gymnastics like no one else.

Melia 12 months ago

@H - I couldn't agree more. I love Aly's personality and spunk, and she is definitely a powerhouse gymnast with a lot of great tricks. But big tricks are not all that artistic gymnastics is about and I too am really surprised that dance and the aesthetics of her gymnastics has not been aggressively addressed at the camps she attends every month with the national team and at her own gym. It's not that she isn't a ballerina - that's fine. But she is so unpolished at times - flexed feet, angled legs, loose torso, and stiff shoulders and neck. It makes her gymnastics not very appealing. Still, I do think she'll make the team and I do think she'll contribute significantly to the team. But it's discouraging that she isn't more polished because I do think it will keep her from winning medals in London.

r 12 months ago

whoever talks negative about this kid should look in the mirror, she was by far the best gymnast out there by far last night. not even a comparison. she is the most consistent gymnast the us will have. you can't touch her floor routine either the best in the world

r 12 months ago

whover talks negative about this kid should look in the mirror, she was by far the best gymnast out there by far last night. not even a comparison. she is the most consistent gymnast the us will have. you can't touch her floor routine either the best in the world

H 12 months ago

She is fantastically consistent and able to deliver under pressure. That will prove useful for the team. But quite frankly I find her gymnastics painful to watch at times. Of course not on the acrobatic side, there she is one of the very best. But her dance, leg line, toe point are those of a sloppy low-level gymnast. As someone said on another thread, it is strange that this has never been fully addressed and fixed with intensive ballet training/ yoga/whatever it takes. Honestly, watching her then watching the Russians is like watching a different sport. Gymnastics is not only about acrobatics. People talk about that 'international look' Martha goes on about, well Aly doesn't have it for me. I'm sure she's a very nice girl and I'd still like to see her in London, but her form is just atrocious and should be severely penalised for it at the Olympics.

Anonymous Coward 12 months ago

Her Amanar and the fact she has the best floor routine in the world.

USAGymFan 12 months ago

Wow! Go Ali! Just when you wondered where Ali's place is on the team she scores over 60.00, that helps. I think her Amanar definitely solidifies a spot for her.

jyosef 12 months ago

She's such a cutie.

2012 Secret US Classic

Gymnastics Routine

elite women

Coverage Videos

Balance beam (6)

Floor (5)

Uneven bars (15)

Vault (1)

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Aly Raisman, Classic Champion, gaining confidence with big tricks 6488 views

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2012 Secret US Classic

Gymnastics Routine

elite women

Coverage Videos

Balance beam (6)

Floor (5)

Uneven bars (15)

Vault (1)

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