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Written by John Crumlish
Sunday, October 4, 2009 |
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| IG Interview: Wesley Haagensen (USA) |
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(13 votes, average 4.69 out of 5)
| Preparing for his world championships debut this month, 2009 U.S. all-around bronze medalist Wesley Haagensen told IG that comprehensive physical and psychological training has well prepared him to face the world's best gymnasts.
Haagensen, who is slated to compete on pommel horse and still rings at worlds (Oct. 13-18 in London), has emerged to the senior international level after a lengthy career in junior and senior U.S. competitions.
Born Dec. 21, 1985, in Sheridan, Wyo., he lived in Oklahoma until age 16. He resided in Belleville, Ill., until age 18.
At the 2002 U.S. Championships, Haagensen placed fourth all-around in the 14-15 age group. At the 2003 U.S. Championships, he placed fifth all-around in the 16-18 age group. Haagensen competed as a senior at the 2004 U.S. Championships, where he placed 19th all-around. During Haagensen's NCAA career at the University of Illinois from 2005-2008, his best NCAA all-around finishes were fourth place in 2006, and second place (tie) in 2007.
Haagensen's third-place all-around finish at the 2009 Visa (U.S.) Championships marked a 19-rank improvement from his results at the 2008 U.S. Championships. He credits his rise to his relocation to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, where he has been training under coaches Vitaly Marinitch and Alex Shchennikov since Dec. 31, 2008.
As Haagensen makes final preparations for London, he spoke with IG about the plans and progress he has made as he heads toward the 2012 Olympic Games.
IG: You improved by an impressive 19 positions from last year's U.S. Championships to this year's competition. What specifically contributed to this big leap?
WH: There were several factors that contributed to this season's success. I moved to the Olympic Training Center and started a consistent training plan all the way through to the U.S. Championships. I moved to the OTC on New Year's Eve, and basically rededicated myself to the sport of gymnastics, putting forth all of my efforts into my training, through preparation in and out of the gym. I believed in my head coach, Vitaly Marinitch, and assistant coach, Alex Shchennikov, and followed their training plan precisely. Also, I did various methods of mental preparation, such as visualizations, meditations, and specific breathing and relaxation techniques in order to develop my mental toughness.
The USOTC also caters its athletes with a great nutritional plan, which helped me to stay on a healthy diet. I spent numerous hours in recovery from workouts for my body in order to be prepared for each practice every day by sitting in cold tubs, hot tubs and steam rooms, receiving massages, and rehabbing all injuries. I went into this USAs knowing and believing I could hit my routines, and let everything else fall into place. I feel that the combination of all these tasks helped me to reach the next level.
IG: Although you had four solid years of NCAA competition, we did not see as much of you at U.S. Championships competitions during that four-year period. What were the reasons for not competing at U.S. Championships from 2005-2007?
WH: I always had the desire to compete in the U.S. Championships, but I underwent shoulder surgery in 2005, and was not on a consistent training plan to be prepared for championships the following years. It was very difficult for me to watch these competitions go by without being in the heat of the mix, so I decided to make a change.
IG: What motivated you to continue training and competing, following graduation and the end of the last Olympic cycle?
WH: I just knew that, if I retired after my graduation, that I would regret it for the rest of my life. There was no way I was going to look back and wonder what could have happened, so I decided if I was going to stay in the sport, then I am going to give it everything I have, and then live without any regrets. I know that I have not yet reached my full potential and have many more accomplishments left to achieve.
IG: What are your specific plans for London?
WH: In London, I am competing on pommel horse and still rings. My plan is to stay calm and relaxed, raise my hand, and perform my routines in front of the judges and the crowd. It's as simple as that! It's really all I can do. My main focus is to hit these two events to the best of my capabilities, and everything else that happens is out of my hands.
I will be performing the same pommel horse routine I did at the U.S. Championships, so it will be a great experience to swing some horse with the best in the world.
On rings, I have slightly changed my routine from what I performed at the U.S. Championships. The Start Value remains the same, but I have rearranged the order of my skills to make things flow better and eliminate some deduction. On rings I've been working hard to perfect my Maltese position, so I really want to show that off. I'm focusing on holding my strength, having very smooth swinging skills, solid handstands without any shakes or wobbles, and sticking the dismount. I believe I can open some eyes to the rest of the world on this event, and won't be holding anything back. More than anything in particular, I am focused on hitting, and letting everything else go.
IG: Although you are an experienced gymnast, worlds will be your first major international competition. How are you and your coaches mentally preparing you to face the top international gymnasts?
WH: Indeed I will be competing against the best gymnasts in the world, but I'm not focused on the other gymnasts; I'm only focused on myself. In the sport of gymnastics, I can't control what any of the other athletes do, I can only control myself. With that in mind, Vitaly has been training me very hard to be prepared for this competition. I've been doing so many routines that, by the time the competition comes around, it will be like second nature. While doing routines in practice, we have been working hard to simulate exactly what it will be like at Worlds.
Vitaly has convinced me that I have no pressure, and to just go out and perform my routines, and that's what I plan to do. I've also been training my mind daily through breathing exercise to help control my heart rate during competitions to stay relaxed, meditation techniques to block out any distractions that may occur, and visualizations, so that I have practiced and trained my routines until they become automatic. Although it is World Championships, it's still just another competition. It's going to be a lot of fun.
IG: Who coaches you on which events?
WH: Vitaly and Alex both coach all six events. They do an excellent job of working together, and balancing out their coaching styles in order to give all necessary feedback, spotting, and anything else that may be needed on all the events.
IG: Previously you had a plan to go to law school and become a sports agent. How does this fit into your future competitive plans?
WH: Well, my plans have changed somewhat since then. I don't think I will be going to law school, although it isn't completely out of the question. I really don't know yet of what career I plan to take on after gymnastics. I have been looking into and weighing out different options, such as earning my master's, or looking at other graduate school programs. But honestly, my No. 1 focus as of now is gymnastics, and the 2012 Olympics (also in London). Afterwards, if I were to retire, I definitely want to take on a career that stays involved in sports in some manner. I graduated with an MBA in business, so possibly running a sports team, managing one, starting my own gym, or maybe even pursuing to be a sports agent could all be options. Sports are my passion, and I never want to stray from that. We'll just have to see where that road leads me.
Read about Haagensen's performance at the 2009 U.S. Championships in the October 2009 issue of International Gymnast magazine. To subscribe to IG Magazine or order back issues, click here. |
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Written by Kaori Miyaura
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 |
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| IG Quick Chat: Aliya Mustafina (Russia) |
1050
(18 votes, average 4.94 out of 5)
| IG contributor Kaori Miyaura chatted with Russia's Aliya Mustafina during the Japan Cup this weekend in Tokyo.
 Aliya Mustafina (Russia) leaps on balance beam at the 2009 Japan Cup in Tokyo.Mustafina, a junior, helped Russia finish second to China in the team competition on Saturday. On Sunday, she finished second all-around behind China's Huang Quishuang and ahead of teammate Tatiana Nabiyeva.
Born Sept. 30, 1994, Mustafina is one of Russia's top prospects for the 2012 Olympic Games. She finished second all-around behind Nabiyeva at the 2008 Junior European Gymnastics Championships in Clermont-Ferrand.
Mustafina trains at Moscow's Central Sport Army Club (CSKA) with coaches Olga Sikorro and Sergei Zelikson. Her younger sister, Nailia Mustafina, is also a member of Russia's junior team, and won the silver medal on floor exercise at the 2008 Pacific Rim Championships in San Jose.
Following the team competition in Tokyo, Miyaura caught up with Mustafina, who will be eligible for senior competition in 2010.
IG: When is the next competition for you?
AM: The Russian Cup is my next competition. It’s going to be held in the end of August in Penza. After going back home, I’ll be working toward it.
IG: Do you have any gymnasts as your role model?
AM: I like Nastia Liukin (U.S.). I adore her elegant and beautiful performances with difficult elements. I like especially her graceful uneven bars and balance beam.
Among the Russians, I like Ksenia Afanasyeva. I respect her strong and beautiful gymnastics.
IG: Could you tell us your future goals?
AM: To participate in the 2012 Olympics in London. But just participating is not enough. I want to show good enough performances and make a good contribution to lead our team to good results.
IG: Could you give a message to international fans?
AM: Me? To international fans? Is it OK from me?
IG: Yes, of course. You have worldwide fans.
AM: I’d like to say thank you very much to everybody who supports me.
External Link: Japan Cup videos at Aliya Mustafina's Official Web Site |
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Written by Amanda Turner
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 |
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| IG Interview: Charlotte Mackie (Canada) |
929
(65 votes, average 4.95 out of 5)
| Heading into the Canadian Championships, British Columbia's Charlotte Mackie spoke with IG about her immediate and long-term goals, her recent coaching change, older sister Gael and more.
 Charlotte Mackie (Canada) at the 2008 Pacific Rim ChampionshipsThe 2005 novice national champion, Mackie is a favorite to win her first senior title at the Canadian Championships, which take place June 2-6 in Hamilton, Ont. She is the younger sister of 2003 Canadian champion Gael Mackie, a 2004 Olympian who now competes for the University of Utah.
Charlotte Mackie, who turns 16 on Oct. 6, is already a veteran of international competition, having won medals on four continents. In 2007, she won bronze medals at the Romanian International (all-around, balance beam and floor exercise), the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro (team) and the Japanese Junior International (vault and balance beam).
In 2008, she placed fourth all-around and second with the Canadian team at the Pacific Rim Championships in San Jose, Calif. Competing among the seniors, she was fourth at the Canadian Championships in Calgary and third at Elite Canada in Gatineau, Quebec.
In 2009, Mackie made her move to a new coaching environment. For most of her career, Mackie trained with coaches Vladimir and Svetlana Lashin at Omega Gymnastics. Since Feb. 19, Mackie has been training at Surrey Gymnastics Society with David Kenwright, who coached two-time Olympian Kate Richardson.
In March, Mackie made her senior debut at the Gymnix World Cup in Montreal, earning a complete set of medals: gold on vault, silver on floor exercise and bronze on balance beam. In April, she won another vault gold and floor exercise silver at the Wild Rose International in Edmonton, Alberta.
In this IG Online interview, Mackie opened up about adjusting to her new height, new surroundings and new outlook on the sport.
IG: How are you adjusting to your new gym and coaches?
CM: I'm adjusting really well! I love my new coaches and my new gym so much. It took about a month to adjust to a different atmosphere, conditioning, technique and coaching style. But it's an ongoing process, and I'm still continuously working on adjustments. The hours aren't too different, but I'm doing some early morning training before school, and the afternoon training sessions aren't quite so long.
My coaches really want to work on my athleticism, technical program and developing my potential as a truly artistic gymnast.
IG: Can you tell us what the reasons for the switch were?
CM: I switched clubs because I needed a different approach to coaching and training, a different coaching style. Although every coach who has worked with me has helped me in some way, I want to be able to love gymnastics for all of my life and hope to continue my elite career for another three or more years, or possibly longer.
IG: How was your first World Cup experience in Montreal?
CM: My first World Cup was awesome, I really enjoyed it! This was my first official competition as a senior. It was neat to interact with other gymnasts from other countries. I found the atmosphere at World Cup very friendly and fun!
 Charlotte Mackie (Canada) at the 2008 Pacific Rim ChampionshipsIG: Not many gymnasts have the two vaults needed to make finals. How much time do you spend working on your second vault?
CM: I usually spend time every week on my second vault, especially when I was first learning it. I am currently making modifications to it, so I do work on it every week, but not every day. I usually alternate vaults every second day of training.
IG: Where do you feel your current strengths and weaknesses are as a gymnast?
CM: I feel that my current strengths are having flexibility, artistry and pretty good leg strength. But my weakness is definitely upper body strength. Since I have moved to my new gym, I have focused much more on core and upper body strength. David and I are really focusing on conditioning. The other area of weakness was my bars. Since I started training with David, I have switched over to using grips. Previously, I was limited in the amount of bars training I could do, because of sore and ripped hands. I can now train longer hours on bars, and using different technique. It is a really slow process making the adjustment to grips, but it will be worth it in the long run, definitely.
IG: How have you modified your routines this year to go along with the changes to the Code of Points?
CM: I am really focusing on making my skills and routines cleaner. I am continuing to work on improved technique. This will improve my E score. I am also working on some skills with higher difficulty.
IG: Do you have any new skills or routines you're particularly excited about?
CM: I am really excited to perform my new floor routine and new beam routine. It will be really exciting when my new bar routine comes together, after working extremely hard on it! It is basically like I have relearned every skill in my bar routine, and have also learned a new mount, and new release move.
IG: What dream skill would you love to be able to do?
CM: I would love to increase the difficulty on every event, with harder skills. There are so many dream skills I'd love to do — basically any high difficulty skill! We are currently playing around with a few right now, but with this Code of Points, there isn't much benefit competing them until they are done very well.
IG: You're grown a lot since we first saw you as a junior. How tall are you now, and have you had to change any technique for your new height?
CM: Yes, I have grown six inches in less than two years! I had a big growth spurt one year ago, and lost some skills. Last summer and fall I worked really hard to relearn them again. Mostly, I've had to constantly adjust the technique as I grow but it is hardest when there is a big growth spurt. The biggest adjustment to growing for me has been on bars, adjusting the giants and other skills as my swinging length increased. I have long arms for my height, so I swing quite long on bars. With David, I have adjusted my giants technique again. But I think my growth into an "adult" gymnast has helped my vaulting, which has improved in the past couple of years.
IG: Your sister unfortunately struggled quite a bit with injuries during her elite career. Is this something you worry a lot about?
CM: I don't worry about it too much, just try to train carefully and keep strong, and catch little injuries before they become big. And sometimes injuries just happen. Gael worked so, so hard to make the Olympic team, she was on an accelerated training program, and pushed really hard to make the team when she was 15. It was really hard on her body. I haven't had the pressure of going senior and Olympics, so I could train at a more normal pace.
 Charlotte Mackie (Canada) at the 2008 Pacific Rim ChampionshipsIG: How often do you talk to your sister? What kind of advice does she give you, and what kind do you give her?
CM: I talk to my sister almost every day on Blackberry Messenger. If I don't hear from her, I know she has exams or a big paper to write! We don't really give each other advice that much, we are really close and like to talk. We are pretty normal outside the gym.
IG: Are you also thinking about doing college gymnastics down the line?
CM: I don't have plans to do college gymnastics, as yet. Right now, I am preparing for university in Canada, and doing well both academically and reaching my gymnastic goals.
IG: You looked very strong in 2008, on par with other gymnasts who competed in Beijing. What is your opinion about the age-limit rule? Do you think 14 or 15 year olds should be allowed to compete at worlds and Olympics?
CM: Of course, last year, in 2008, I wished I could have gone. But now that I really think about it, I would have been too young, and inexperienced. There would have been way more pressure and intense training and competition for the last three or four years. Now I think I'm lucky to be too young for 2008, because I still love gymnastics and still have goals ahead of me. I think the long training hours, constant pain and tiredness is hard on young kids. I had lots of challenges and got lots of experience from the junior meets I did.
Some of my favorite gymnasts competed and looked great at the Olympics when they were older than 19, like Kate Richardson, Svetlana Khorkina and Oksana Chusovitina. I think lowering the age-limit rule would not be good for the gymnasts physically or mentally.
IG: What are your goals for Canadian Nationals? What about the rest of 2009?
CM: My goals for nationals are to be consistent and clean with my routines. I hope to show good technique and artistry. I would love to be able to do my new bar routine, but we're unsure if it'll be ready for nationals. I also have a new floor routine I'm working on. Throughout the summer, I'll continue to work hard on my bars, and will polish my other routines and upgrade where I can.
In the fall, my goal is to make the Worlds team, and to compete my routines internationally to the best of my ability. |
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Written by John Crumlish
Sunday, May 10, 2009 |
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| Interview: Sydney Sawa (Canada) |
905
(63 votes, average 4.94 out of 5)
| Preparing for the upcoming Canadian Championships, 2007 worlds competitor Sydney Sawa talked to IG about her goals and her new role on the rejuvenated Canadian team.
Sawa was a member of the Canadian team that placed 14th at the 2007 World Championships in Stuttgart, where the top 12 teams qualified for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. She now aims to improve her own international ranking as she lends experience to the current group of Canadian gymnasts that include first-year seniors Brittany Rogers, Charlotte Mackie and Peng Peng Lee.
Born June 15, 1992, in Calgary, Sawa trains at Calgary Gymnastics Centre. Her coaches are Janna Ball, Ovidiu Serban and consulting coach David Kenwright. Sawa is a second generation Japanese-Canadian; her grandparents moved from Japan to Canada, where her parents were born.
Sawa tied for third place all-around at the 2007 Canadian Championships, and placed fifth all-around at the 2008 Canadian Championships. She finished second all-around (between Rogers and Mackie) at the 2008 Elite Canada meet, held at the end of the year.
Sawa's best international results include 43rd place all-around in qualifications at the 2007 worlds; eighth place on balance beam at the 2008 DTB Cup in Stuttgart; and third place on uneven bars and floor exercise at the 2009 Gymnix World Cup in Montreal.
As Sawa prepares for the Canadian Championships (May 31-June 7 in Hamilton, Ont.), she shared her thoughts on her expectations for this and future competitions.
IG: How has your gymnastics changed since the 2007 World Championships, and how have you changed in terms of confidence?
SS: These past couple years have probably been hardest to deal with in terms of emotional highs and lows. I would have days where I could do anything my coaches told me to, and other days where I could barely make it through skills. I have definitely changed my training strategy this past season. I've been training more “day by day” and have become more efficient during practices. I have to admit, my confidence after 2007 Worlds wasn't the highest, but I have learned from the experience and have gained huge amounts of confidence in competitions and even in trainings.
IG: What expectations are you placing on yourself, or do you feel are being placed on you by others, in terms of the future of Canadian gymnastics?
SS: I just want to be someone people can come talk to, or give advice. I think if we become closer as a team, we will become a stronger team. If this means that I need to take on the leadership role, then I'll do it.
 Sawa at the 2007 World Championships in StuttgartIG: Having been part of the last Olympic cycle, you are in a unique position to help guide the new generation of Canadians, such as Brittany Rogers, Charlotte Mackie and Peng-Peng Lee. How are you handling your recent status as a team veteran?
SS: It's so hard to believe that in just a couple years I have gone from one of the youngest, to being called the veteran! It's pretty crazy. Even though I have been a senior for only an extra year, I still learn from them. They have so much energy all the time which really motivates me to keep up.
IG: What impresses you about the first-year seniors?
SS: These girls are so confident when they compete! This is something that I definitely look up to. They perform their routines with maturity and poise, and have many unique skills that really stand out.
IG: What are your expectations and goals for the Canadian Championships?
SS: I have had some time to rest since my last competition in order to peak at the right time for nationals. I was able to play around with some new skills which upped my motivation. I have struggled a little bit on certain routines this year; however, I expect to handle myself with confidence and show people how hard I've been working all year.
IG: Looking ahead to the 2009 World Championships in London, where do you think the Canadian gymnasts stand, compared to the last worlds in 2007?
SS: This year's team is, no doubt, a lot younger. Even though there is a little less experience in competitions such as World Cups, I think this year's team has the potential to make a great impression.
IG: Although this year's Worlds won't include a team competition, what do you see are the main aspects of Canadian gymnastics that need to be improved for a better finish in future team events than in Stuttgart?
SS: We knew had a lot of pressure going into the 2007 World Championships. One thing we could work on is not only increasing difficulty, but working on consistency. Also, specializing might be a strategy that will keep athletes healthy and stronger on each event.
International Gymnast Magazine Related Features
"Shooting Star" - Rogers profile (July/August 2007)
"A Passion For Performance" - Lee profile (June 2006)
"Pride For Family and Canada" - Mackie profile (November 2006)
To subscribe to IG Magazine or order back issues, click here. |
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