Getting to know Konnor McClain - one of Team USA's fastest rising stars. Konnor just traveled to see Livs first game in person, and hopes to go to more this season. The video was originally uploaded by Konnor's mom, Lorinda McClain, because Konnor liked watching herself after practice. Until then, I saw myself as just another local yokel, Boston, who called Owens a mentor and dear friend, said last year. Get the most important Gymnastics stories delivered straight to your inbox. She's a great sister, she's a great daughter, she's the easiest kid. The choice of taking a step back and prioritizing her physical and mental health was important for McClain. Despite their close friendship with Konnor's old coach, Konnor's parents . Meet Konnor McClain, The 15-Year-Old U.S. Gymnast Suddenly In - TeamUSA Boston was reportedly an inspiration for Beamon, having spoken in front of Beamon and his classmates in a high school gym in 1964. McClain, 17, was due to vie for a spot on the five-woman world team at a selection camp in two weeks. Try to forget the past and not be anxious about the future. Entering the Olympic year, she tried to enjoy it without putting too much pressure on herself, but nothing seemed to fall into place. But I was not expecting the outcome that happened.. Susan says she did talk about politics, but only sometimes. The National Team Camp was a hurdle for Konnor, who was still recovering from her stomach infection but did not meet the petitioning requirements and had to compete for a spot. Viewers especially enjoyed watching her compete at Winter Cup because of her floating beam series, where instead of merely completing a skill, she appears to be hovering over the apparatus with all the time in the world to float in the air and complete the flip. This is so unbelievable right now, she said. Daisuke Takahashi, pioneering Japanese figure skater, retires again Today were talking about the recently dropped episode five. After a half-hour process to locate and lay out tape, it was Boston who broke the news to Beamon that he had jumped 8.90 meters,improving the world record by nearly two feet. Shes been homeschooled since fourth grade to focus on gymnastics, and just started going to high school as a sophomore to take one class a day, art, and then goes to gymnastics in the afternoons. It's definitely really weird because they always call me the baby and they always call me Baby Konnor, and, so, when we went to Winter Cup, everybody was younger than me and I was like, Oh my gosh, they're so tiny and cute, she said. In the final, Beamonsfirst jump was so far that the measuring device couldnt extend far enough to record it. By submitting my information, I agree to the, DiCello, Wong Headline 2021 Women's Artistic World Championships Team, Konnor McClain - Floor, WOGA Gymnastics - 2021 Women's World Championships Selection Event, Konnor McClain - Beam, WOGA Gymnastics - 2021 Women's World Championships Selection Event, Konnor McClain - Bars, WOGA Gymnastics - 2021 Women's World Championships Selection Event, Konnor McClain - Vault, WOGA Gymnastics - 2021 Women's World Championships Selection Event, U.S. Shes also talked about college gymnastics in the future, but hasnt decided on any schools. When McClain started her recruiting process, she began to tease fans about her collegiate choice, dropping real and fake clues on social media about the schools she was considering. The top all-around scorer on the first day of the two-day camp is guaranteed to be on the six-woman traveling team, with one of those six being designated an alternate. Sensing Beamons nerves, Boston told his younger teammate to move it back three feet with a cautious jump to avoid fouling, Beamon later said. A decision was made to pull the plug on 2021, which meant withdrawing from the national championships and Olympic trials. Even with reigning Olympic champion Sunisa Lee waiting before returning to elite competition and Simone Biles on a sabbatical, the Americans appear to be in good position to reclaim the top of the podium at the 2022 world championships. I just loved going along with it because they started it, she said. I didn't really have the love for gymnastics," McClain said. McClain was expected to be a part of the 2020 Olympic team, but a rough season combined with injuries led her to abruptly switch coacheswhich is a decision not normally made during an Olympic . Notably, Seniors Levi Jung-Ruivivar, who is now at WOGA, and Joscelyn Roberson and Sumansekera who are now at WCC. That seemed to be the theme for many of the gymnasts at that meet. why did konnor mcclain switch gyms - cottonzone.in An ankle injury delayed her preparation and left her unable to compete consistently in the all around. Switching gears today for a live blog of the senior women's session at Winter Cup, where the likes of Konnor McClain, Skye Blakely, Katelyn Jong, and insert name will compete for the first time in the new triennium and the first time under the new code. McClain says she didnt have expectations to win the Winter Cup, just getting back into the gym and then competition had been hard enough. Though nerve-wracking to compete as a senior, the joy of competition remained the same. Its not uncommon for elite gymnasts to have a Triple A personality and take any setback as a catastrophe, Liukin said. Susan and Lorinda have been friends since grade school, working at the local pool, doing gymnastics together, and going to college and cheerleading together. I would say I had very low goals for myself at this competition, so I went in really thinking, 'Just do your best. An organic, homegrown gymnast through and through, her success has come from her own methods, rather than from following the usual formula. Eventually, the special relationship she already felt with the LSU coaching staff, as well as her close friendship with incoming freshman Aleah Finneganshe talked me into committing and liking LSU, McClain saidmade her choose the Tigers. Its a hard task for a 17-year-old. In March 2020, Reed died of a sudden cardiac issue at age 30. In the few months she spent at WOGA, McClain has already made two important decisions. On beam, Morgan falls on her back full, as well as her side aerial + back layout sequence and nearly hits her face on her dismount, only getting a 10.300. If youd like to watch along, the episodes are available here with a free Peacock account. The process seemed to be working. McClain learned the Olympics were postponed in March 2020, this making her age-eligible for Tokyo, while watching The Hunger Games: Catching Fire., Just to make it to the Olympic Trials would be such an accomplishment, especially for her being young, her mom said in April 2020. She wanted to go and see her friends that she hadn't seen since third grade. Takahashis greatest success came in 2010, when he became the first Japanese man to win an Olympic figure skating medal (bronze) and a world title. You're going to have to refocus. Favorite TV show: Grey's Anatomy and All-American, How Would Other Elite Gymnasts Describe Her: Competitive, Hardworking, Funny. Then, last December, Marc contracted COVID-19. A production company owned by LeBron James began filming her journey as part of a Peacock docuseries about Olympic womens gymnastics hopefuls. For her family, this was no surprise. Once a junior standout herself, McClains career was fast forwarded during the COVID-19 pandemic. But for a local. I literally thought that I was the most garbage gymnast ever, she said this week. She's really like a sister to me, Susan shared, making Konnors coaching experience more like a family one. Sunis family would fundraise for Suni to compete by selling T-shirts and doing a banquet where theyd invite friends and family. Sacrificing family time. So that was a shocker. How Konnor McClain Carves Her Own Path To Success So this one element cost her a LOT and didn't gain her anything. Follow on . Coaches can tell athletes they need to strengthen specific muscles or should try different exercises, but no, you shouldnt teach your child its OK for people who arent doctors to make recommendations about your health. A national title? That's my number one priority, Susan shared. However, Susan often brought up outside topics like Donald Trump or things happening in China, instead of being focused on gymnastics. A very talented, successful and much talked-about gymnast from a very young age, she caught the nations attention in 2016, at only 11 years old, when she featured on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots, proclaiming she had her eyes set on the 2024 Olympic all around title. It was kind of crazy.. Guess what? she said. The pressure mounting, and her love for the sport waning, McClain came home from practice one day shortly after that and made a split-second decision. U.S. champion Konnor McClain will miss world championships She doesn't really want to watch gymnastics tonight. Her sister was also on my team, and theyd both put on their leotards and come out and, and Konnor would just slide down in the most perfect split with pointed toes at two years old and do a backbend kickover., It was a good thing Konnor found a coach she loved and didnt mind showing off in front of, since she was a shy kid. JavaScript is disabled. Konnor McClain, rising U.S. gymnast, focuses on 2024 Olympic cycle In a split second, her Olympic dream was just 12 months down the road. "Anything can happen,'' McClain said. While shes working on beam, Jess is scribbling judges shorthand, trying to figure out how to maximize her routines potential. Outwardly, McClain was progressing nicely as a gymnast in early 2022, winning the all-around at the Winter Cup in Frisco, Texas, and the City of Jesolo Trophy, an international team event held in Italy. The video was originally uploaded by Konnors mom, Lorinda McClain, because Konnor liked watching herself after practice. She's a little older and can handle more, Lorinda shared. If youd like to watch along, the episodes are available. Boston won silver and bronze at the next two Olympics and remains the lone person to win an Olympic long jump medal of every color. Valeri Liukin, a co-founder and owner of WOGA, had also built a relationship with McClain from his time as the elite development coordinator from USA Gymnastics. One gymnast, however, is not performing the way shes capable. Wrestlers' anguished plea: Can't PM Modi listen to our 'mann ki baat'? Konnor McClain, U.S. gymnastics champion, to miss world championships I loved them almost more than anyone in the world.. Konnor also has cousins playing DI college baseball, college football, soccer, and basketball. College Gym News is your place for everything you need to know about collegiate gymnastics. And then the Olympics is definitely there in the back of my mind, but I don't want to think about it too much right now, calling the 2024 Olympics her final goal, something shes been saying since she was at least 11. McClain and Jones were followed in the U.S. Championships all-around standings by Tokyo Olympic team silver medalist Jordan Chiles, University of Florida freshman Kayla DiCello(who said at nationals that she did not plan to go for the world team) and Tokyo Olympic floor exercise championJade Carey. "I felt forced going into the gym. I am thrilled to see former Olympians working for large media outlets and promoting the sport. The news left McClain overwhelmed. Well, I'm not going to say no to that, Susan shared, laughing. Since then, the site has transformed into a one-stop-shop for college gymnastics news, from recruiting analysis to meet coverage at the NCAA national championships thanks to the hard work of 15-plus contributors. Today were talking about the recently dropped episode five. When it comes to gymnastics, Konnor McClain never takes the conventional route to success. I'm actually really excited for [the trip to Germany] and excited for later in the season where I could hopefully put some upgrades in and be at my full potential and peak at worlds, said McClain. She wasfeatured onSteve Harveys Little Big Shots at age 11 in 2016, proclaiming she was set on the 2024 Olympic all-around title. Being the only Black girl in her group, Konnor felt uncomfortable in the environment. Turns out she was right - Konnors older brother Cole played college football, her older sister Liv plays college softball at Niagara University, and her younger brother plays for California Baseball Academy. Just doing routines over and over again, and knowing I can do the routines and coming to the competition knowing I can make it too. Until then, I saw myself as just another local yokel, Boston, who called Owens a mentor and dear friend, said last year. With McClain, her confidence restored, on the cusp of an opportunity she feared would never come. She just is so self-driven that Konnor's going to make it work wherever she is., Though her coaching situation may be an unusual one, its certainly a perfect fit for her. Thousands of miles away as Marc clung to life on a ventilator, McClain was despondent. Suni is up on bars. Born in 2005, McClain was originally too young to compete at the 2020 Games, but the postponement of the Olympics suddenly made her age eligible for Tokyo, drastically changing her plans. AndLaurie Hernandez, the 2015 U.S. junior all-around champion who made the 2016 Olympic team. Konnor McClain competes at the 2019 U.S. The reason Susan has been able to coach Konnor through her gymnastics career is that its such a small program, unlike some larger more acclaimed gyms. Konnor says until the pandemic started, things were good with her coach, Susan, and in the gym. More: Olympics College Gym News was founded in 2015 by Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Grimsley. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Konnor McClain - Wikipedia Golden: The Journey of USAs Elite Gymnasts,, After Elite Heartbreak, Aleah Finnegan Is Ready for Fresh Start at LSU, The Transfer Portal: How It Works and How to Normalize It in Gymnastics, Looking Back at the Highs and Lows of the 2023 Season, Belgiums Margo Van Linden Looking Forward to Team Spirit at Western Michigan College Gym News, MyKayla Skinners Unusual Path to the Olympics Paved by Just Three Before Her College Gym News, LIVE BLOG: NCAA National Championship Final, LIVE BLOG: NCAA National Championships Semifinal II, LIVE BLOG: NCAA National Championships Semifinal I, LIVE BLOG: Los Angeles Regional Round Final. Its time for gymnasts to show what theyre capable of. Luckily for her, this National Team is only for a few months, and will be renamed at U.S. Championships, where she will get another shot to make it back on. Konnor's parents : r/Gymnastics - Reddit This article is not a criticism of Shawn. He changed the game as an athlete, advocate and mentor. Konnor McClain moves to WOGA. I was like, 'OK, then I got it.' Olympics delay provides rare opportunity for local gymnast in 2021 Even the best in the world cant do it sometimes and has to take a break. So, a firefighter, I don't know, it just inspires me, she shared. In August 1960, Boston broke Owens world record in the long jump that stood since 1935. A little more than a year before the Games, she reset her sights from 2024 to 2021. U.S. all-around championKonnor McClainposted that she will miss the world gymnastics championships that start in three weeks due to a back injury, writing that her season is officially over.. Her score of 13.850 opened the door for Jones, who was waiting to go on uneven bars as McClain's score flashed. She starts crying, hates everything, and at the end of the meet, even thinks of quitting gymnastics for good. Our kids had no choice. Ah! With Lee and the rest of her Tokyo Olympic teammates either in NCAA, taking a break from elite competition, or retired, McClain finds herself quickly as one of the leaders of a USA team that has long dominated womens gymnastics. This is a blessing, Susan shared. Also in qualifying, Beamon fouled his first two of three jumps, giving him one last chance to make the final. But I think one time she had a headache and missed a practice, and that's really the only time I can think of her missing a practice. She ended up taking the bronze on vault and beam at Winter Cup, and plans to bring back all-around for the GK Classic. Though McClain had some uncharacteristic struggles on beam and missed one of her skills, her lead held up going into the final rotation. I'd say this year, just with the age change, was definitely a hard year for me because just running it through my head, thinking about it and seeing it everywhere all over social media was definitely hard, but I've learned just to not think about it and to keep my mind away from it more, instead of just always putting that on myself and putting the pressure on myself, she shared. McClain, who competed at her first world championships in October 2021, marveled at her position in the sport. There McClain was on Sunday night during the final night of the 2022 championships, the talent that had always been apparent on full display, buoyed by a self-belief borne out of a mix of loss, grief and determination. Switching gyms with less than a month to go before Olympic Trials is not something you see often (ever?). McClain missed last months U.S. Classic, the main pre-nationals tune-up, while recovering from a concussion and stress fractures in both shins. Most gymnasts change coaches frequently as they move through levels until they start working with their elite coach, but Susan Brown has coached Konnor since she was three years old. OlympicTalk is on Apple News. As per usual, Suni is feeling a little bit stressed, and is still struggling with injuries. Rest with the greats. When the Tokyo Olympics were postponed a year, she suddenly found herself eligible for a Games shed never thought about. It was more, Wow. I was like, Oh my gosh, what do I do now? And then each day, I was like, Oh my gosh, this is actually real.. Almost two months to the day of her fathers passing, McClain entered her first event of the 2022 season, the Winter Cup Challenge. Boston died Sunday morning after recently suffering a stroke, according to the Tennessean. On the first rotation Sunday, McClain turned a .8 deficit into a 1.1-point lead after Jones fell on beam and McClain nailed her double twisting Yurchenko vault. She really held it together for me. It was just meant to be that way. Following a year and a half of turmoil, heartbreak and injury struggles, McClain, now 17, strung together eight strong routines over two days at the OOFOS U.S. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. @simone_biles@usagym@gymnastics pic.twitter.com/BwLgNiOLXd, It's just something that we weren't expecting, Lorinda explained. TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Konnor McClain arrived in Texas last spring adrift, her confidence shattered. All Rights Reserved. She was like, Here you go. Perhaps even more remarkable, McClain estimates she's about 75% healthy, optimistic she'll be in even better shape at the world championships in Liverpool, England, this fall. OnlyCarl Lewis, who won four golds, has more Olympic long jump medals. At the 1968 Games, Boston broke his own Olympic record in qualifying by jumping 8.27 meters. McClain had trained at the same gym, with the same coach, her whole career. The transformation that began when she switched gyms in a rush last spring ended with the 17-year-old atop the podium, a gold medal around her neck and her self-belief restored. U.S. gymnast Konnor McClain on resetting after tragedy: "If Suni says Remember your 'why', remember why you started, remember how proud you made your dad. Konnor McClain, newly arrived to Texas, clinches US gymnastics - Chron As a teenager, Konnor makes me feel SEEN. "If Suni says it, then I can do it." McClain took Lee's words to heart. We hear about Valeri and how legendary he is in the gymnastics world. 'If my dad dies, I die': How Konnor McClain now balances - MSN The 17-year-old announced Wednesday that a back injury will keep her out of the global meet. It was her first international with USA gymnastics and I'm just there having a good timemy cousin called or texted me and was like, I'm watching the meet and they said that McClain is going to stay on top. And I'm like, On top of what? I had no idea that she even had a chance to win and she was shocked too. Beamon heeded the advice and advanced. Boston broke the mens long jump world record six times between 1960-65 and shared the record going into the 1968 Mexico City Games. When Konnor decided after Classics that she needed to find a new gym, her parents supported her 100%. She just switched gyms too so that may be a factor as well. Gymnastics Championships on Aug. 11, 2019 in Kansas City, Miss. Ive said it once, and Ill say it again. It wasn't an aha moment or anything like that. Lauries watching Charlotte Drury train on trampoline. That includesKyla Ross, the 2011 U.S. junior all-around silver medalist who made the 2012 Olympic team. A lot. As the National Anthem is sung, the athletes are making their entrance. McClain, who turned 16 on Feb. 1, won the U.S. junior all-around silver medal in 2019. As a child I idolized him and he was a major influence in my life. Konnor McClain moves to WOGA (confirmed on her IG) : r/Gymnastics - Reddit The first day I was definitely nervous since it was like seven years since I've gone, but it's definitely been great my past two weeks, she shared. why did konnor mcclain switch gyms. On vault, shes focused on perfecting her double twist and working an Amanar. Her dad passed away the day before they left for Italy. McClain was expected to be a factor in the run-up to the 2020 Olympics but struggled so much early in the competition season last spring that she needed to make a change, moving abruptly from West Virginia to Texas. I'm getting better at driving, she shares. Although this is very upsetting after such a successful year, she posted. Its starting to feel real. Konnor McClain rallies to victory at U.S. gymnastics championships Konnor is no outlier to the family trade - shes been athletically gifted since birth; sitting, crawling, and walking before her peers. Laurie had fallen on her landing during warmups and hurt her knee. Takahashis greatest success came in 2010, when he became the first Japanese man to win an Olympic figure skating medal (bronze) and a world title. Outside of gymnastics, shes most excited about getting to watch her sister play college softball. Konnors mother Lorinda confirmed the news and said her daughter began training at WOGA on Tuesday (May, 25th) and will now be coached by Valeri Liukin. Consider donating to support our efforts throughout the year! Konnors mom held out hope that things would get better since she was friends with Susan, but it didnt. Ralph Boston, who in 1960 brokeJesse Owens world record in the long jump and then won the Olympic title, died at age 83, according to Tennessee State, his alma mater, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic alumni association. After a while, MyKayla grew to enjoy the sport, but it was taxing on their family. In agreement with her new coach, she decided to withdraw from the Olympic process and resume her original plan, preparing step by step for 2024. Ralph Boston, Olympic long jump champion, dies at 83 I feel like in 2024, when the season comes, I feel like it'll be a lot better that year just because I've been preparing for this for my whole life, McClain said. Menu. Id won a gold, silver and a bronze in that order. We were working for 2024, so this kind of threw a wrench in our spokes.. If she bends her knees, I'm like, Oh my God, that's not Konnor. Her fundamentals are just so soundI think that's probably the most awesome thing about Konnor is her execution, Lorinda stated. Takahashi switched to ice dance after his singles farewell at the December 2019 Japanese Championships. Now lets pause. Daisuke Takahashi, who after an Olympic medal-winning singles figure skating career came back to ice dance, has retired along with partnerKana Muramoto, according to Japanese media citing a video on their Instagram. Konnor McClain won her first U.S. gymnastics national championship Sunday night, rallying past Shilese Jones in the finals to complete a stunning turnaround since switching training gyms last year. In 2018, he returned to singles skating after a four-year retirement.
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