(no subject)

[iselima]

Here is one Lady who, in my opinion, could proudly preside the OLB (and how lovely it would be, were she inclined to grace our OLSB as well! *gg*): Johanna Quaas, 86, from Germany who gave a couple of demonstrations in a Gymnastics World Cup...

Can only hope I'll be as bright and shining when I'm 86, but I fear I have to drastically upgrade my exercise schedule (which, I should admit, is about non-existent - oh shame!) 

Comments

[therealsnape.livejournal.com]

Utterly amazing. I'll never be that fit, but she can be an honorary member of the OLSB any time!

[iselima.livejournal.com]

Utterly amazing indeed. I think that if I were a quarter as fit as she, I'd be very happy.

[tetleythesecond]

How singularly awesome! And do you know what I love most, apart from the spectacular performance? That she does parallel bars. That's still a men's discipline, isn't it?

♥

[ysilme]

Yes, indeed. In fact, in every discipline, she - very wisely - does only the kind of exercises that you indeed, can still safely do when you're no longer a teen or twen. I partly agree with her statement in the interview, regretting that there are no senior competitions for that discipline. Having done that sport myself during my schooltime on a competitive level, I know from experience that one is already expected to go to such a high level of difficulty, with consequential strain to joints and bones, even at the lowest levels of competition, that more or less serious injury is nearly inevitable over time, and most not going for highest levels decide to stop before they risk permanent damage. Going outside that "norm", particularly age-wise, and staying on a low-competitive level, is not so easy as you need to have the opportunities for it, like a sports-club accepting you and cooperating. It is, after all, a sport you can't do on your own; there is always considerable effect needed just to prepare the equipment.
Just my two cents, though, based on my experiences of a small-town sports club.

[iselima.livejournal.com]

I agree with you, it is a sport where injury is likely to happen, sooner or later. Not only the strain on muscles and joints, but some exercises are outright dangerous.

From what you write, I wonder if it is different in Germany than in Holland? In Holland there are gymnastics-clubs in every city and village and to take part in competition is often not required.

My daughters both joined a gymnastics club, till 2007. The eldest was rather ambitious and she set out to learn summersaults on floor and do difficult exercises on the apparatuses. She only competed at her own club, but got an injury indeed and that was the end of her ambitions.

[ysilme]

Might be a difference, or myself being out of the picture for such a long time, gymnastics-wise. After all, I only did it while I was at school (though in a sports club), had no time for more than swimming and some belly dancing during my Uni years, then discovered Scottish Country Dancing and got hopelessly stuck with that *g*.

[iselima.livejournal.com]

Scottish Dancing! Lovely! And one more reason for you to feel close to our Scottish (Deputy) Headmistress. *g*

[ysilme]

*g* Indeed. I always picture her dancing merrily away when at home... and would like to write it, too, but it's such a cliché-laden subject, I doubt I would pull this off to my own satisfaction. My English has its limits in things like this.
At least I did give her some nice Scottish moments with dear Severus, when he lost a bet ;o).

[iselima.livejournal.com]

Yep, in competition parallel bars are for men (I used to be an avid sports-watcher *g*), they require way more arm-power than the women-apparatus. Though the exercises for women appear to be quite a lot more dangerous and demanding for great courage.

Apart from that, it's just wonderful what she's able to do at her age and how fit she still looks! :-)

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

She's really something, isn't she? I couldn't have done that even at age 20. And look at the woman behind Johanna in the middle video, the one on the parallel bars -- she's no kid, either. Impressive.

[iselima.livejournal.com]

Yes, she is, that's why I felt almost compelled to share it *g*.

I also noticed the woman behind her. Makes me wish I had put in more effort to stay fit (though I was more of a cyclist/walker/horse-rider, till I was thirty or so).

Thanks for watching/commenting! :-)

[minervas-eule.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this post - how inspiring (although gymnastics would never be my sport...).

[iselima.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. :-)

I love watching Olympic-gymnastics (failed to get a ticket for the London Olympics...sh*t) and Zara and Nina were member of a gymnastics club till 2007, but otherwise, it isn't my sport either. My parents made me join a gymnastic club for a number of years, till I was ten. The only things I loved were rope-climbing, swaying on the rings and 'monkey-game'.

[ysilme]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing! :o)

[iselima.livejournal.com]

Thanks for watching/commenting. It was definitely a pleasure to share it! :-)