I’ve been a Gymcastic fan for years now; yet I find myself coming back to this episode. Thank you for creating such great gymnastics content! Would love to see you and Spencer do an episode like this for bars!
In ballet they call that ability to seem suspended in the air as "ballon". It is breathtaking to watch, especially on beam. I loved Shushonova's and Lachenova's ballon in their sissones on beam.
I totally understand why you linked to that video of Yang Bo, but I love her 1989 China Cup performance and her 1989 Worlds routine despite the dismount.
Carly Patterson had a brilliant lightness to her work. Brandy Johnson and Vanessa Atler all were powerful beam workers with an aggressive style and dance. I am surprised Nadia wasn't mentioned Or even Shawn Johnson or Shannon Miller.
I would say that Ana Porgras from Romania was the last gymnast that truly combined difficult acrobatics with balletic style. Her routine from 2010 Worlds EF, where she won gold, is an innovative and brilliant display of how to dance on the beam, which so many of the other Romanian gymnasts lacked.
The most shocked I have ever been watching beam was the first time I saw Laschenova. I have never seen anyone before or since tumble like that on the beam. Unbelievable power and form. She could’ve done a double double off beam no doubt
I smiled from beginning to end watching this video, as you guys can truly and utterly appreciate the art form of this sport, and beam represents the VERY best of gymnastics. You guys together are AWESOME!
There's something whimsical and joyful about her gymnastics, on all events. Somehow she always looked like she was having the time of her life when she was on the apparatus. Truly special.
As a former pro ballerino, I cannot agree more on your essential beam qualities. I am a true ub lover but Spencer's reasoning for loving beam is convincing me to convert however. Rhythm is key and using the beam as an extension of themselves versus an apparatus they are performing on is what truly separates the average from the amazing. Preeach on the pauses!!! I love me some high releves and a little hyper-extension knee so I tend to lean towards the Ukraine style. Long live Podkopayeva... Also, I could watch Helen Hu do beam all day. She looks like she is auditioning for ABT. Jessica is so right about Khorkina, very even steven throughout. But it always looks painful for her. Girl needed some burgers for those thighs. If anyone is looking for a /coach & choreographer with a professional ballet background hit. me. up. My dream is to make floor watchable again.
I would include Tatiana Groskhova (1990 USA vs USR) in the crazy acrobatic skills (with her sideways back hand spring step out connected directly to a Yurchenko loop), also gurl doesn't even use the whole extent of the beam to do a full twisting double back dismount. Also Shaposhnikova's one arm hand stand (1980 Olympic Games) with dislocated torso is so badass that I even forgive her bent knees in the flic flacs and layout step out. And Alevtina Pryakhina at the 1987 Euros with her bad ass mount that was later named after Zamolodhikova.
Beam is my single most favorite thing to watch I have so many favorite routines but one of my top if not the top of the list is phebe mills 88 beam final. Her mount and just her crisp positions are stunning. Oh and when you talk aggressive confidence beam I can believe you didn't mention the almost grossly aggressive miss sacramone. She is so angry on beam her arm swings could butcher a cow. Oh and Jessica it's called embroidery. With the needle and round thing? Lolll Really enjoyed this conversation about beam and agree mostly however I have more favorites than this, but I understand your selections. I would love to hear your exact opinions on ONLY team USA. That would be fun
"Every home needs a mini bar!" Yes Jessica, yes! We all need a mini bar! Well, maybe not if there's children running around doing hard gymnastics, maybe we shouldn't have a lot of... 🙂
I love Gymnastic…without Jessica. She’s so hypocritical and her “policy”positions are self-contradicting. For example, she criticizes NBC trio for noting an elite gymnast missed an “easy skill” and says, “oh! Can you do that Elfie?!” And then Jessica goes on to critique a gymnast for the same thing as if Jessica ever or could ever do the skill.
The problem with nbc is that they never say that about the American gymnasts… they could take 3 steps on a dismount and Tim dagget would find an excuse to use for them but then he criticizes the smallest hops back from any other gymnasts… he even said that Angelina Melnikova had horrible routines and always was talking negatively about the Russian gymnasts
I’ve been a Gymcastic fan for years now; yet I find myself coming back to this episode. Thank you for creating such great gymnastics content! Would love to see you and Spencer do an episode like this for bars!
In ballet they call that ability to seem suspended in the air as "ballon". It is breathtaking to watch, especially on beam. I loved Shushonova's and Lachenova's ballon in their sissones on beam.
I totally understand why you linked to that video of Yang Bo, but I love her 1989 China Cup performance and her 1989 Worlds routine despite the dismount.
Because she connected the Rulfova?
@@markcouture4726 Absolutely!!! :-)
Carly Patterson had a brilliant lightness to her work. Brandy Johnson and Vanessa Atler all were powerful beam workers with an aggressive style and dance. I am surprised Nadia wasn't mentioned Or even Shawn Johnson or Shannon Miller.
They aren’t Chinese hi how are you
Shawn would qualify if she could hit basic splits
I would say that Ana Porgras from Romania was the last gymnast that truly combined difficult acrobatics with balletic style. Her routine from 2010 Worlds EF, where she won gold, is an innovative and brilliant display of how to dance on the beam, which so many of the other Romanian gymnasts lacked.
The most shocked I have ever been watching beam was the first time I saw Laschenova. I have never seen anyone before or since tumble like that on the beam. Unbelievable power and form. She could’ve done a double double off beam no doubt
She was something special!
Her back handspring technique is crazy good. No one has come close ever since
Category “30 years ahead of her time”, enter Olesya Dudnik 1989 routine. Unbelievably difficult for the time and it has everything.
I am shocked that they did not include this yet included so many others that are clearly lesser.
I smiled from beginning to end watching this video, as you guys can truly and utterly appreciate the art form of this sport, and beam represents the VERY best of gymnastics. You guys together are AWESOME!
I'll nominate Oksana Omelianchik for "most delightful" beam performance.
There's something whimsical and joyful about her gymnastics, on all events. Somehow she always looked like she was having the time of her life when she was on the apparatus. Truly special.
I remember gasping when Yang Bo did her aerial walkover to scale - so (simply) beautiful!
Yes. Yes you can do an entire episode dedicated to Daniela Silivas ❤❤❤❤
Olyesia Dudnick blew me away back in 89.
Loved all of your choices!
As a former pro ballerino, I cannot agree more on your essential beam qualities. I am a true ub lover but Spencer's reasoning for loving beam is convincing me to convert however. Rhythm is key and using the beam as an extension of themselves versus an apparatus they are performing on is what truly separates the average from the amazing. Preeach on the pauses!!! I love me some high releves and a little hyper-extension knee so I tend to lean towards the Ukraine style. Long live Podkopayeva... Also, I could watch Helen Hu do beam all day. She looks like she is auditioning for ABT. Jessica is so right about Khorkina, very even steven throughout. But it always looks painful for her. Girl needed some burgers for those thighs. If anyone is looking for a /coach & choreographer with a professional ballet background hit. me. up. My dream is to make floor watchable again.
Her thighs are still thin though she is in her 40-s
I would include Tatiana Groskhova (1990 USA vs USR) in the crazy acrobatic skills (with her sideways back hand spring step out connected directly to a Yurchenko loop), also gurl doesn't even use the whole extent of the beam to do a full twisting double back dismount. Also Shaposhnikova's one arm hand stand (1980 Olympic Games) with dislocated torso is so badass that I even forgive her bent knees in the flic flacs and layout step out. And Alevtina Pryakhina at the 1987 Euros with her bad ass mount that was later named after Zamolodhikova.
Beam is my single most favorite thing to watch I have so many favorite routines but one of my top if not the top of the list is phebe mills 88 beam final. Her mount and just her crisp positions are stunning. Oh and when you talk aggressive confidence beam I can believe you didn't mention the almost grossly aggressive miss sacramone. She is so angry on beam her arm swings could butcher a cow. Oh and Jessica it's called embroidery. With the needle and round thing? Lolll
Really enjoyed this conversation about beam and agree mostly however I have more favorites than this, but I understand your selections. I would love to hear your exact opinions on ONLY team USA. That would be fun
Why wasn't Shawn Johnson on your lists?? Also I was a fan of Courtney Kupets
Spins category: Betty Okino, and rhythm: Shawn Johnson. Mo huilan and Tatiana gutsu need some love too!
My favorite is Catalina Ponor European Championships 2006 in the event finals!
That's the one I would have included, too. that 5-element series... wow.
"Every home needs a mini bar!" Yes Jessica, yes! We all need a mini bar! Well, maybe not if there's children running around doing hard gymnastics, maybe we shouldn't have a lot of... 🙂
Sooooooo….. no Larisa?!?! She started the whippy leg aggressive confidence
Kara Eaker should be the only American eligible for a 10, IMO. #turnoutfordays
Not enough height/lift on her acro series for a 10 imo.
Katelyn Ohashi in her elite years
I love a good difficult beam routine with a good flow…. 🤷🏾♂️
Just started watching but Katelyn Ohashi better be in it
Beam is too terrifying for me to watch
I love Gymnastic…without Jessica. She’s so hypocritical and her “policy”positions are self-contradicting. For example, she criticizes NBC trio for noting an elite gymnast missed an “easy skill” and says, “oh! Can you do that Elfie?!”
And then Jessica goes on to critique a gymnast for the same thing as if Jessica ever or could ever do the skill.
The problem with nbc is that they never say that about the American gymnasts… they could take 3 steps on a dismount and Tim dagget would find an excuse to use for them but then he criticizes the smallest hops back from any other gymnasts… he even said that Angelina Melnikova had horrible routines and always was talking negatively about the Russian gymnasts
Nastia... Liukin?