about Bellu and Bitang's absence from the competition floor...

Photo credit Luisa B

Read my article in The Couch Gymnast and let me know what you think. Will they finally be there in Tokyo?

Their appearance at Worlds would be a sign for the rest of the world, especially judges, that they are 100% behind the team. And for this Romanian squad to be a winning one, their presence on the competition area will be vital. Because Romania, without Bellu and Bitang on the podium, is like a masterpiece without an autograph and a golden frame: still brilliant, but not as bankable.

Fortune favors the brave...

Bellu and Bitang seem to have learnt that maybe there exists a good kind of  exposure, the kind that doesn’t make you less of a gymnast and more of a celebrity. I have noticed that in these pieces about the national team every gymnast has her moment; in turns.  Each gets the spotlight, has to speak up, has to explain why and how is she going to become a champion. Every gymnasts will hear herself saying that she is confident and she wants to win. Sometimes you need to let others know your dreams in order to keep them alive

Read my article in The Couch Gymnast.

some seriously good stuff from The Couch Gymnast: the seventh issue!

read it here

My articles from this issue: Ghent report and Romania at Ghent World Cup

TCG Magazine # 6 !

Includes my interview with Anamaria Tamarjan.

Bea: How was 2009 for you? I am thinking that you started with a great desire to work (I read you gave up to your winter vacation to train for the American Cup) and in the end everything seemed the opposite.

Ana: In 2009 I had joys but also sorrows. I did not recover completely after the femur crack and at the Europeans in Milan I was in pain again. The joy was the silver medal on beam, because the beam is my favorite event.

Bea: What was the happiest moment in 2009 for you and what was the saddest?

Ana: The best moments in 2009 was the medal in Milan and turning 18. The saddest was at the Worlds in London where I could not concentrate for a good contest. I did not manage to get confortable with the event hall and with the equipment. These Worlds will remain in my mind as a failed objective. I wanted a medal really badly.

Bea: What is the medal that you cherish the most and why?

Ana: My most cherished medal is the one from the Olympics because it was the most difficult contest in all my career.

Read the whole interview in here.

I think this might become my favorite issue, so much stuff to read!!

"It’s Time to Take Care of the Kids" - Article in TCG issue # 5

So, while I was on vacation, issue # 5 of TCG Magazine appeared. I think this is my favorite so far for a number of reasons: Maria Cosma inreview, the TCG analysis of the Chinese system and Marlies Rijken interview.

And of course a new article that i have written: Romania's Next Generation.

This is an article about some of the lesser known Romanian Juniors of all levels (actually they are all in the top 4 categories of gymnasts - by age and skills). All of them have shown great talent and nice perspective on one or more events at the latest Junior Romanian Nationals in June.

Some of them are:

Georgiana Gheorghe

Andreea Rotaru:


Irina Paun (and many more)

Hottest News - TCG Magazine hits the virtual stands

The Couch Gymnast has done it again! To read the fabulous new magazine, click here.

You will find in the magazine what I hope it is my last article about Nicolae Forminte.

TCG Magazine third edition

With a great article by.. me :P.

Actually there are two articles i wrote: one article about Romanian Internationals and the second part of "the Lost Girls" of the '90s

I was just kidding, the entire magazine is great. I didn't manage to read all the articles yet, but I can say that the interview with Anastasia Grishina Inez's article about Portugal are wonderful.

You can see the entire content here.