", When asked how she mentally prepares before competing a beam routine, she admitted, I feel like my brain is scattered before beam even though it shouldn't be, I feel like it is.. I showed her the rotation, and we just laughed, a fun laugh, like a good, Are you kidding me, type of How cool is this? Konnor's parents : r/Gymnastics - Reddit It has been a long year," Lorinda McClain said. How Konnor McClain Carves Her Own Path To Success Instead, she performed wearing a patch with his initials on it, dedicating her performance to her biggest supporter. 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. Sensing Beamons nerves, Boston told his younger teammate to move it back three feet with a cautious jump to avoid fouling, Beamon later said. Rest with the greats. The family moved to West Virginia when McClain was 3. And then just whatever comes after that, but definitely World Championships later in the year. Now shes eyeing a place in the US team alongside superstar Simone Biles. Shes really taught me, and shes really built me up all the way from developmental camp, said McClain. For Susan, the meet was memorable for an entirely different reason. 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. Creating a Level 10+ Focused Team Program (Finances / Coaching / Athlete Selection / Facility / Etc), Daughter just turned 11, wants to hit lvl 10. Nevertheless, she gets a 13.750. The thought of uprooting her family also weighed on her mind. They taught me pretty much everything I know. Konnor says until the pandemic started, things were good with her coach, Susan, and in the gym. 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. Konnor is very close with her sister, and credits her as the main thing thats helped her mentally survive the difficulties of the pandemic, including that moment. She's a great sister, she's a great daughter, she's the easiest kid. TAMPA, Fla. -- Konnor McClain arrived in Texas last spring adrift, her confidence shattered. At just 17 years old, four-time U.S. Women's National Team member Konnor McClain is a rising star in the sport of gymnastics and a leading contender to represent the U.S. at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024. Who is on Olympic gymnastics team 2021? - BIO-Answers.com McClain became the sixth woman to win the all-around in her senior nationals debut since 2000. She doesn't talk a lot still, but it's so good that Susan knows her. Konnor McClain moves to WOGA. 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. Did the inspiration for Payson Keelers plot line come from the Skinner family? The news left McClain overwhelmed. The gymnastics that came so easily for so long to the precocious teenager had turned shaky. This year will be the first year that she is the only gymnast competing at her level. 2023 Winter Cup - 5 Storylines to Follow! Who To Watch and What to "I still think we're going to be able to pull through and have an amazing outcome,'' Chiles said. As recently as two weeks ago, it wasnt a given that McClain would even be ready for nationals. Finally, after nearly two years of turmoil, she feels like shes back where she wanted to be with two years to go until the Paris Games. Konnor and her mom have been living in and out of hotels since she got to Texas. We get an explanation as to why its so important that gymnasts peak at certain times, and how challenging that makes the sport. After the death of her father in December 2021, McClain turned to Olympic champion Sunisa Lee for support and guidance. 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. "I was having a rough year inside the gym. They pulled her out of Revolution immediately and moved all the way to Texas in a matter of days to ensure Konnor could train with Valeri, the coach of Konnor's choice. So that was a real learning moment for both of us, because Konnor went all professional on me. WAG - Konnor McClain to WOGA | ChalkBucket College Gym News was founded in 2015 by Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Grimsley. Back to her original timeline, McClain was making progress and qualified for her first world championships team last fall. She's a little older and can handle more, Lorinda shared. "I felt forced going into the gym. Well, huh. We're trying to be on pace for 2024. For her family, this was no surprise. Konnor McClain, rising U.S. gymnast, focuses on 2024 Olympic cycle I just wanted to make sure I had everything it took to help Konnor reach her ultimate goal, just equipping myself with as many tools as I can, she shared, adding, Konnor's always pulling meIm not necessarily in the lead here in the training. Though McClain had some uncharacteristic struggles on beam and missed one of her skills, her lead held up going into the final rotation. McClain never gave the lead back, though there were some nail-biting moments late. Boston broke the mens long jump world record six times between 1960-65 and shared the record going into the 1968 Mexico City Games. Theres a conversation about the price of gymnastics and the sacrifices many families make to afford it. McClain, the 2019 U.S. junior all-around silver medalist, was originally too young for the Tokyo Olympics but became age-eligible when the Games were postponed one year to 2021. Its a great routine, especially after falling at Classic. What has been the hardest skill for your gymnast to acquire or get so far? Konnor McClain rallies to victory at U.S. gymnastics championships Empower Team USA athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence and well-being. McClain, 17, was due to vie for a spot on the five-woman world team at a selection camp in two weeks. 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 just can't really explain it. Konnor's sister Olivia just posted and retweeted many things on Twitter which seem to relate to Konnor's abusive former coaches at Revolution Gymnastics doing some terrible things, including badmouthing Konnor and her family on Reddit in their moment of grief. Entering the Olympic year, she tried to enjoy it without putting too much pressure on herself, but nothing seemed to fall into place. As a child I idolized him and he was a major influence in my life. If youd like to watch along, the episodes are available here with a free Peacock account. The process has been arduous, both inside and outside the gym. Chrs McDougall has covered the Olympic and Paralympic Movement for TeamUSA.org since 2009 on behalf of. Gymnastics Championships on Aug. 21, 2022 in Tampa, Fla. TAMPA, Fla. Konnor McClain arrived at World Olympic Gymnastics Academy in Texas a year ago as a broken soul. If we had a good day of training, enjoy this, appreciate it, be grateful for this and stay present. In the beginning, warmup is definitely always very nerve wracking for me. At least until her dismount, which Jones underrotated, forcing her to sit on the mat, her hopes of a national championship gone. Konnor McClain | The Gymternet A star on the junior level, McClain won the U.S. all-around silver medal in 2019, then went on to the inaugural junior world championships as the alternate for the American team. Her whole family is there cheering her on, including her dad. It kind of took me a long time to get back into the groove of things. They werent going to be bookworms, they were going to play sports, Lorinda shared, laughing. And that moment was special for me because it just was so surreal after everything that we'd been through, Susan shared. 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. OnlyCarl Lewis, who won four golds, has more Olympic long jump medals. On floor, Sunis routine is solid, except for her last landing, where her ankle seemed to buckle. At one point last spring, she felt she was "the most garbage gymnast ever." Through Turmoil, Heartbreak And Injuries, Konnor McClain Is Back On The Being the only Black girl in her group, Konnor felt uncomfortable in the environment. This is a blessing, Susan shared. Id won a gold, silver and a bronze in that order. 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. At her first camp, Konnor was 12 years old, and placed in a rotation group with Ragan Smith, Emma Malabuyo, and Maile OKeefe. Gymnastics Championships on Aug. 21, 2022 in Tampa, Fla. Coming into Tampa, she cautiously listed her goal as simply. my #1 supporter, i love and miss you more than words can describe https://t.co/zC4owvGqzd. She then performed a balance beam routine in front of a studio audience. I'm devastated about Ralph Boston's passing. I was having a rough year inside the gym. She gets a 12.400. It was easy to end my career, in 1968, Boston said. More: Olympics McClain was born in Nevada. From Plano to world championships: Elite gymnast Konnor McClain's Most gymnasts dont suddenly find out theyre eligible for the Olympics a year before Trials, something else that keeps Konnor off the traditional gymnastics path. She committed to an elite schedule that she hopes will take her to the world championships this fall and eventually to Paris 2024, and she chose LSU as her future NCAA team. The process seemed to be working. In the final, Beamonsfirst jump was so far that the measuring device couldnt extend far enough to record it. Her unconventional path started when an infamous video of Konnor became well-known in the gymnastics community completely by accident. Konnors mom is canceling Konnors weekly massage because they, very casually, have moved out of the state. Randy, her husband, says he did talk politics in the gym. bus timetable trinity beach to smithfield; alabama state senators; carrie harkness flagler; i am very sorry for what i did meme; does texas hill country get tornadoes; why did konnor mcclain switch gyms. b) she was upset about it being her last competition with Revolution (because her parents are pushing a move to WOGA with the intention of furthering her Tokyo chances). As 2021 was winding down, tragedy struck U.S. gymnast Konnor McClain. McClain at that point was especially low. Just because Konnor hasnt experienced what other gymnasts have, doesnt mean he is like that with every other athlete. The U.S. has won every world team title dating back to 2011 and won gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016 before taking silver in Tokyo. I'm like, Wow. The video was originally uploaded by Konnor's mom, Lorinda McClain, because Konnor liked watching herself after practice. A Look Back in Photos - 2019 U.S. Championships. Morgans training for championships but is still sore. It was more, Wow. I just tried to make it to this competition because coming here was a really hard road for me. As a child I idolized him and he was a major influence in my life. She loved my dad. Remember your 'why', remember why you started, remember how proud you made your dad. 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. A little more than a year before the Games, she reset her sights from 2024 to 2021. We were working for 2024, so this kind of threw a wrench in our spokes.. Maybe, just maybe, the best for her was not letting her compete while she was throwing up in a bag. "If my dad dies, I die," she wrote on Snapchat in late December. 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 would have never known. As a teenager, Konnor makes me feel SEEN. This is so unbelievable right now, she said. So we just thought that would be best physically and mentally to withdraw her and focus more on the future and what our initial path was. She amazes me that everything she does is tight with pointed toes. Let's not take this camp for granted. McClain by then had a reputation. 2) Konnor is a rare breed. Its the GK U.S. Classic in Indianapolis. 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. And I havent felt the joy for the sport in a long time. McClain posted a two-day total of 112.750, just ahead of Shilese Jones at 111.900. This article is not a criticism of Shawn. Until then, I saw myself as just another local yokel, Boston, who called Owens a mentor and dear friend, said last year. McClain had trained at the same gym, with the same coach, her whole career. After a while, her parents noticed Konnor was easily doing skills that her older peers were still learning. Finally, McClain began to feel the weight of expectations, leaving her with a sense that she wasn't doing it for the right reasons anymore. So she can figure out sometimes without Konnor having to talk just from her body language.. Madison Kocian and Kyla Ross have come to visit Laurie in training. 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. Today were talking about the recently dropped episode five. So as an example informed Australian, this seems like a big deal. She began walking the balance beam and doing backbend kickovers before age 2, mimicking her 4-year-old sister. I teared up a little bit because I was just so sweet and so special. with a free Peacock account. Konnor initially started at a gym where Susan coached, and when Susan opened her own gym in 2009 closer to home, Konnor followed. A decision was made to pull the plug on 2021, which meant withdrawing from the national championships and Olympic trials. She had reached out to me and asked me how did I stay motivated when my dad had his accident? McClain, who recently changed gyms to move from West Virginia to WOGA in Texas, is focusing on the next Olympic cycle, possibly beginning with the world championships in October in Japan, her mom said Wednesday, confirming an Inside Gymnastics report. Konnor McClain rallies past Shilese Jones in finals to claim first U.S There were other milestones too, such as her first National Team Camp. 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. And then, when it comes to my front aerial and my dismount, I'm like, "Whoa, I'm shaking again. Wrestlers' anguished plea: Can't PM Modi listen to our 'mann ki baat'? Leanne Wong, who claimed silver in the all-around at the world championships last fall, overcame a foot injury to put together two graceful sets on bars and beam. She made it to the arena that weekend, but not to compete. Once a junior standout herself, McClains career was fast forwarded during the COVID-19 pandemic. I think its considered a big deal because: Real data on college teams put together by mezzamare! 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. . 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. Obviously, they're two very different things because my dad obviously didn't pass away, but I kind of just told her, Remember your 'why', Lee told Olympics.com. The first time when we were invited to National Team Camp, they asked me if I thought she was ready. Though nerve-wracking to compete as a senior, the joy of competition remained the same. So long freezing cold West Virginia, hello sunny Plano, Texas. Morgan says it will get easier with time, hopefully. Now, I hate to sound like a broken record, but maybe training with an elbow that isnt fully healed is the reason it hasnt been getting any easier? Lee had been through hard times herself, including in August 2019 when her father, John, fell and was paralyzed from the waist down just prior to the U.S. Championships. On vault, shes focused on perfecting her double twist and working an Amanar. However, Jones was in position to regain it if she once again hit her uneven bars routine, which had scored the highest of any routine on Friday night. I wasnt expecting this year to happen, so going into this year, it was hard on my mind, she said. Following in the footsteps of two of her cousins, Konnor is considering becoming a firefighter in the future. As far as upgrades, Konnor and Susan have a lot planned. In August 1960, Boston broke Owens world record in the long jump that stood since 1935. With McClain, her confidence restored, on the cusp of an opportunity she feared would never come. Besides gymnastics, Konnor is just your average teenager, getting her drivers permit and attending public schoolwell, as of two weeks ago at least. Thousands of miles away as Marc clung to life on a ventilator, McClain was despondent. TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Konnor McClain arrived in Texas last spring adrift, her confidence shattered. All signs were pointing her toward the Olympic Games Paris 2024 the first shed be eligible for based on her age. McClain began Sunday just less than a point behind Jones but took the lead in the first rotation when she drilled her double-twisting Yurchenko vault while Jones hopped off the balance beam. 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. Its such a big difference being so confident and not being garbage anymore. Your email address will not be published. U.S. all-around champion Konnor McClain posted 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 . Konnor McClain, a U.S. gymnast who would not have been old enough for an Olympics in 2020 but became age-eligible when the Tokyo Games were postponed to 2021, will not compete in the national championships or the Olympic Trials this month. Its time for gymnasts to show what theyre capable of. Its not a coachs place to say what someones weight should be. His first retirement came after placing sixth at his third Olympics in 2014. 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. Slowly, she began the rebuilding process once again. This wasnt our initial goal anyway to do Trials or Olympics this year. 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. When she was little, she was very, very driven, very detail oriented, and anything that she put her mind to, she was going to basically work until she met that goal. Theres nothing for fourth place, so I just said, OK, thats enough.'. He changed the game as an athlete, advocate and mentor. She left the building within striking distance of Shilese Jones for the all-around lead. Jumpers, Know his name!!! On vault, MyKayla has a solid landing, with a 14.975. Konnor McClain, who recently moved to Texas to train at WOGA under Valeri Liukin, competes at the 2019 U.S. Championships. So that was a shocker. 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. In the run-up to the 1968 Olympics, Boston reportedly became Beamons unofficial coach after Beamon and other UTEP track athletes lost their scholarships for boycotting a meet against BYU because of the Mormon churchs historically racist views. As per usual, Suni is feeling a little bit stressed, and is still struggling with injuries. I am thrilled to see former Olympians working for large media outlets and promoting the sport. "If Suni says it, then I can do it." McClain took Lee's words to heart. Honestly, I'm not going to lie, [competing beam is] terrifying. Susan agreed, sharing, Her attention to detail, technique, just her fundamentals and basics are outstandingI'm just looking at her every day, and then I see other gymnasts. Also in qualifying, Beamon fouled his first two of three jumps, giving him one last chance to make the final. Just looking back at last year and being where I was last year, this is so crazy to me. There, McClain is planning to compete in the all around for the first time since March and hopes to end her year at worlds in Kitakyushu, Japan. Rest with the greats. 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. Well, I'm not going to say no to that, Susan shared, laughing. Everyones experiences are different, and its important to remember that. She feels like Tom and the Olympic Committee always see her injured, so she may not seem reliable. That includesKyla Ross, the 2011 U.S. junior all-around silver medalist who made the 2012 Olympic team. We thought we were on the slow and steady. Honestly for a really good two or three months it was kind of like a seesaw, ups and downs, Liukin recalled. College Gym News is your place for everything you need to know about collegiate gymnastics. Takahashi was trying to become the first figure skater to compete in the Olympics in their career in both singles and ice dance as medal events, according to Olympedia.org. It was kind of crazy.. Theyve decided to keep shooting for 2024 as their ultimate goal, especially as Konnor has already faced some serious setbacks this year, including foot surgery and a stomach infection that set her back about three months. McClains father, Marc, passed away on 27 December due to COVID-19. The teacher was always like, Oh my gosh, she's so strong, and so we kept her in it, Lorinda shared. Notably, Seniors Levi Jung-Ruivivar, who is now at WOGA, and Joscelyn Roberson and Sumansekera who are now at WCC. To the untrained eye, it looks like hes just doodling while Suni practices. Now, MyKaylas on beam and falls on her back handspring into a back full. Now that I've gotten older, it's definitely different. Beamon heeded the advice and advanced. We dont know where Konnors journey will take her during the 2021 season, the 2024 season, and beyond, but we can be certain that wherever she goes, she will carve her own path and lead the way. 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. So I had to take that all in and put her safety and health first. While McClain made her peace with how this year started, coming to the conclusion that 2021 wasnt her time, shes more committed than ever to turn 2024 into her Olympic year. I was like, 'OK, then I got it.' Konnor McClain during an interview with NBC Sports following competition at the 2022 U.S. 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. Once at WOGA, she regained a healthier approach to gymnastics. Susan feels like Konnors family could have handled the situation better because what they did was so sudden. After Almost Quitting Gymnastics, Konnor McClain - College Gym News Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "afcfd5a3b9b326283a000c1a4a0b73d7" );document.getElementById("af034859ed").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Susan and Lorinda have been friends since grade school, working at the local pool, doing gymnastics together, and going to college and cheerleading together. 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. I don't know. Since she was moving so early, Lorinda enrolled her in a mommy and me class at 16 months. Elite-level gymnastics. 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. Konnor knew my dad very, very well, but she knows my family. Aug. 22, 2022, 3:19 p.m. (ET). In 2018, he returned to singles skating after a four-year retirement. I never thought this could happen, ever, McClain said. But now, I feel like it's pushed me to be better at gymnastics and a better person. In a recent clip for Yahoo Sports, Shawn Johnson discussed the possibility of a rivalry between Simone Biles and Konnor McClain. I barely know. 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. MyKayla talks about how she didnt like gymnastics as a kid, but her mom kept her in it. Whether the E panel thinks this is a switch ring where the foot is too low or a switch leap where the foot is too high, she's losing 0.3 on the element.