CONGRATULATIONS to West Coast Training Center's 2008 world silver-medalists, Kristin Allen and Michael Rodrigues for winning the GOLD for the United States in mixed pairs at the 2009 World Games, taking place July 16-26, 2009 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
The acrobatic gymnastics mixed pair competition was held inside the amazing Kaohsiung Arena on July 20. The mixed pair competed against the best countries in the world including Russia, Belgium, Great Britain and Belarus. In second place following qualifications with a total dynamic and balance score of 57.306, the pair began event finals with new life. Taking full advantage, the pair performed an amazing combined routine earning a score of 28.806 and a first place finish!
Kristin and Michael made history in the United States by earning the first gold medal for acrobatic gymnastics at a World Games event.
The USA mixed pair qualified for the 2009 World Games based on outstanding performances at the 2008 World Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow, Scotland last October.
2009 World Games USA Delegation Officials:
Head Coach: Marie Annonson (WCTC)
USA Judge: Kari Duncan
Head of Delegation: Tom Housley
About the World Games
The World Games are held under the auspices of the International World Games Association (IWGA). It is made up of 32 International Sports Federations governing all those sports and disciplines of sports which are eligible for participation in the Official Sports Program. The organization of The World Games is entrusted by the IWGA to an Organizing Committee formed by the host city and entities such as the National Olympic Committee, the regional government, etc. This event is held every four years during an Olympic year for those sports that are not included in the Olympic program. The 2009 World Games in Taiwan was staged over a period of 11 days with approximately 4,500 athletes from 100 countries competing.
Above all, The World Games provide the unique setting for thousands of athletes from different sports and countries to join in a celebration of unity and friendship across all boundaries. The World Games are the MAIN EVENT for all of these athletes – one marked by sporting exploits as well as by camaraderie.
21st Acrobatics World Championships, October 10-12, 2008
Congratulations to Kristin Allen and Michael Rodrigues for being the only athletes named to the USA Delegation for the 2008 21st Acrobatics World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Competing their first year together, World Championships being their only 4th competition and 1st international competition together, Kristin and Michael set the stage for the competition with their first routine at the Championships.
Their second routine, dynamic, was performed beautifully and given recognition for their “unorthodox” choreography. Then they captured the audience in “awww” with their stunning final performance tying with the Russian mixed pair for the Silver medal overall!
“the USA’s passionate Tango… added strongly to confirming the credibility and attractiveness of the sport.” - FIG Media Operations
5th World Age Group Championships, October 3-5, 2008
Congratulations to Hannah Douglas, Sofia Metzler, Brandon McCallum, Cameron Carlson, Mariah Spray, Hannah Busha, Steffi Scheid, Jilli Giblin, Katie Rodgess, and Maren Focke-Rey for being named to the USA Delegation for the 2008 Worlds Age Group Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. All of the athletes competed with passion and determination, WCTC is so proud of all the athletes’ accomplishments.
The women’s pair of Hannah Douglas and Sofia Metzler qualified for finals in 3rd place, right behind the other USA women’s pair who qualified in 2nd, unfortunately only one women’s pair from each country could qualify to finals but the pair competed 2 beautiful routines and represented the USA and WCTC with pride!
The trio of Jilli Giblin, Katie Rodgess, and Maren Focke-Rey qualified to finals in 6th place in one of the hardest categories in both Championships. Competing against the toughest countries in the competition such as Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Great Britain; the trio held their own and finished 8th all-around. Great job trio!
