Since she was moving so early, Lorinda enrolled her in a mommy and me class at 16 months. I've actually recently started going back to school, which has been good, and finding new friends, Konnor shared. 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. 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. She really held it together for me. Many people were intrigued by the video because at four years old, Konnor was practicing incredibly advanced skills for her age. [Top athletes] are pulling their coaches to the next level too, in a lot of ways. She lost her father and grandmother in the span of a week around New Year's. Reed retired in 2019. 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. I loved them almost more than anyone in the world.. In the few months she spent at WOGA, McClain has already made two important decisions. "If Suni says it, then I can do it." McClain took Lee's words to heart. So she can figure out sometimes without Konnor having to talk just from her body language.. I am thrilled to see former Olympians working for large media outlets and promoting the sport. They have Vanessa Atler talks about how Valeri would weigh her three times during training. Data Deep Dive: What Makes an MVP in Gymnastics, Looking Back at the Highs and Lows of the 2023 Season, Way Too Early Power Rankings For the 2024 Season, Golden Recap Episode 6 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. Let's not take this camp for granted. 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. Its starting to feel real. [Coach] Anna [Liukin] gave me the patch three days before the competition. The next step for McClain and the other top gymnasts will be a selection camp, where five women will be named to the U.S. team for the world championships that start in late October in Liverpool, England. The Media Needs to Stop Comparing Konnor McClain to Simone Biles Now that I've gotten older, it's definitely different. Konnors mom held out hope that things would get better since she was friends with Susan, but it didnt. College Gym News was founded in 2015 by Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Grimsley. An ankle injury delayed her preparation and left her unable to compete consistently in the all around. All signs were pointing her toward the Olympic Games Paris 2024 the first shed be eligible for based on her age. I wasnt really having a good time anymore, so by the time I got to Classics, I was so over it and I felt so done. She just switched gyms too so that may be a factor as well. This year will be the first year that she is the only gymnast competing at her level. She's just really driven to go to the Olympicsat a very, very young age she's always wanted thisa great combination of work ethic, strength, flexibility, drive. Like what you see? with a free Peacock account. Required fields are marked *. The pair tell us how their friendship helped McClain get back on the mat. As an 11-year-old she performed a balance beam routine on a national TV talent show, telling host Steve Harvey that she wanted to win the Olympic all-around title in 2024. Reed retired in 2019. And just get out of the house - she has more energy now. Yet a year removed from a second-place finish to the Russian in Japan, the Americans appear to be a threat to return to the top of the sport even with reigning Olympic champion Lee and Biles both on sabbaticals from elite competition. It has been a long year," Lorinda McClain said. Almost two months to the day of her fathers passing, McClain entered her first event of the 2022 season, the Winter Cup Challenge. 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. Sitting on the couch next to her sister, Liv told Konnor to open the app. It was just meant to be that way. I think it's considered a big deal because: 1) Timing. I didnt want to compete., After the meet, what was supposed to be the beginning of a stellar Olympic journey felt like the end of her entire career. Laurie cant wait to be a crowd pleaser again. Laurie talks about how she was really happy with the silver medal she got at Rio and she just wants to emulate that performance and feeling. Konnor decided to switch gyms because things just kept going poorly at her gym. Long considered a star-to-be for the 2024 Olympic quad, McClain positioned herself as just that, all while competing at what she described as 70 to 75 percent of her true ability. Now, MyKaylas on beam and falls on her back handspring into a back full. It was easy to end my career, in 1968, Boston said. People are going to hate me Because I wasnt even acting like myself.. On Sunday night, in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Tampa, Florida, the rebirth came to fruition. Remember your 'why', remember why you started, remember how proud you made your dad. A production company owned by LeBron James began filming her journey as part of a Peacock docuseries about Olympic womens gymnastics hopefuls. 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. Sensing Beamons nerves, Boston told his younger teammate to move it back three feet with a cautious jump to avoid fouling, Beamon later said. For Susan, the meet was memorable for an entirely different reason. The infection limited her to only two events at Winter Cup, which was supposed to be her senior debut. Then the injuries began piling up. Until then, I saw myself as just another local yokel, Boston, who called Owens a mentor and dear friend, said last year. Konnor McClain during an interview with NBC Sports following competition at the 2022 U.S. So it was totally up to her. TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Konnor McClain arrived in Texas last spring adrift, her confidence shattered. Ongoing problems at her gym exacerbated, making her struggle with motivation. Get the most important Gymnastics stories delivered straight to your inbox. According to the USAG website and Chalkwarriors Twitter, Konnor is now trained by Valeri Liukin at WOGA. 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. When the scores came up, Liukin whispered into McClains ear. Madison Kocian and Kyla Ross have come to visit Laurie in training. I think it definitely happened way too fast for me and too fast for my brain to handle all of that, she said. She then performed a balance beam routine in front of a studio audience. I didnt really have the love for gymnastics, McClain said. As for her drivers license, she has her permit, but plans to wait a bit to get her license as she has quite a few things going onlike preparing for the Olympics. Our kids had no choice. "We're just trying to get her back on track. Through Turmoil, Heartbreak And Injuries, Konnor McClain Is Back On The
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