FIG Academy Level 1 for Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics
Porto (POR), July 11 - 18, 2010
LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 21, 2010: From July 11 – 18, 2010, Porto (POR) hosted a Level 1 Academy for Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics concurrently with a Level 2 Academy for Rhythmic Gymnastics. This double event for three FIG disciplines was hosted in adjacent gymnasia and lecture halls at the wonderful facilities of the Sports Faculty at the University of Porto. It was the first time that any federation has ever hosted two Academies simultaneously – in this case the 82nd and 83rd FIG coaching Academies.
Click here for the report on the Academy for Rhythmic Gymnastics!
This Level 1 Academy for Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics was attended by 17 coaches from five federations: Austria, Brazil, Finland, Italy and Portugal. It was the first time that a Level 1 Academy for MAG and WAG was held in Europe.
The course leader was Keith Russell of Canada who is currently President of the FIG Scientific Commission, a former Canadian National coach and a member of the FIG Working Groups for five of the FIG disciplines. He taught all of the theory lectures. Takashi Kobayashi who is the Coaching Director of the Japanese Olympic Training Center taught the men’s technical events Kelly Manjak, former Gold medal Olympic coach for men and now a successful women’s coach taught the women’s events. Finally, Rietje Bijlholt of the Netherlands taught the artistic preparation and choreographer lectures.
The candidates were of the highest level and worked diligently to achieve among the highest results ever recorded by so many at any Academy. The highest results for men and for women were both 96% on the combined theory and practical examination. This high mark was achieved by Liliana Almeida of Portugal for WAG and by Francisco Teixeira of Brazil for MAG. Three other coaches achieved a marks of 94% or higher: Liliana Rodrigues of Portugal and Annukka Almenoksa of Finland for WAG and Paulo Mota of Portugal for MAG.
With the conclusion of these two Academies, Portugal takes the lead by far for the number of Academies hosted. It has hosted eight to date and one more to come this year for Acrobatic Gymnastics at the end of August. Special thanks must go to the Portugal Gymnastics Federation and its president Manuel Boa de Jesus and his team of workers, translators and gymnasts for hosting this Academy with the highest possible standard and for repeatedly supporting the FIG Academy Programme.
This Academy for Artistic Gymnastics will be followed immediately by another one in Trinidad and then a series of Academies for all three levels in South Africa during November.
