“When the position of national coach for women’s gymnastics became available in Australia in 1996, I saw it as a sign that I was destined to become an Australian.”

“I feel a sense of pride and patriotism when the Australian flag is raised and Advance Australia Fair plays over the speakers when one of the Australian gymnasts wins an international medal. I’m happy that today I officially become an Australian.”

PS Happy Australia Day to Full Twist readers!

• Josh Jefferis
• Sam Offord
• Tom Pichler
• Prashanth Sellathurai
• Luke Wadsworth
• Luke Wiwatowski

Reserves: Simpson, Bull, Merceica

These names have been added to Full Twists “A Nation Decided” post which is keeping track of all teams who have been confirmed for the 2011 World Championships.

Tsukuhara, 34, has been training in Australia since 2009, following the Japanese team’s capturing of gold for the first time in 28 years at the Athens Games in 2004.

Currently, Tsukuhara has not satisfied all of the requirements to claim Australian citizenship, but taking permanent residency should clear the way for him to do so.

“If I can represent the Australian national team, I’d like to become someone who can be a bridge between both Japan and Australia through gymnastics,” Tsukuhara said.

Tsukahara has competed in three Olympic Games. The 34 year old was a member of the Japanese team who showed strong performances in Athens 2004 and won the gold team medal, the first Japan had won in twenty eight years. One of his last international competitions was in 2006 when he won a bronze team medal at the 2006 World Championships.

At the Australian Nationals in Perth last weekend Tsukahara swept the board, beating second place Luke Wiwatowski by over 7 marks. However, Tsukahara was a guest at the competition so first place was awarded to Wiwatowski, with Samuel Offord in second place and Jayden Bull in third place. Read more from International Gymnast.

There has been no comment yet from the Japanese Gymnastics Federation nor Gymnastics Australia so this is just speculation.

Lauren Mitchell

Floor (I love the split jump out of the second pass, the wolf turn looks more secure)

Vault

Beam

Larissa Miller

Vault

Chloe Sims

Bars

Vault

Ashleigh Brennan

Beam

Vault

Many thanks to YouTube user Gemeanie who has been uploading great videos from the competitions.

Georgia Rose Brown maintained her second place lead with Mary Anne Monkton  finishing in third place. Results are due to be posted on the Gymnastics Australia website soon. The women are due to compete in their Event Finals on Sunday.

1.Lauren Mitchell WA 58.350 57.375 115.725
2.Georgia-Rose Brown VIC 54.250 53.700 107.950
3.Mary-Anne Monckton VIC 54.550 52.975 107.525
4.Chloe Sims QLD 53.325 53.200 106.525
5.Ashleigh Brennan VIC 53.500 51.175 104.675
6.Larrissa Miller QLD 49.925 51.225 101.150
7.Britt Greeley VIC 50.850 47.625 98.475
8.Amaya King Koi QLD 48.475 46.025 94.500
9.Crystal Yeo SA 45.575 44.975 90.550
10.Sophie Budack QLD 35.475 49.625 85.100
11.Natalia Joura QLD 13.425 10.750 24.175

View full results from day one here.

Lauren debuted her new floor routine on home turf, unfortunately she had a fall on a 2 1/2 punch front pass but the routine seems to have improved, some nice choreography changes.Check out Lauren’s new floor routine below:

Other videos can be seen  here on YouTube.  View more information and reports from International Gymnast and Gymnastics Examiner. More information can also be found from Gymnastics Australia.Thank you to those who have provided videos, great to see the Australian girls.

Geoffrey Taucer is looking for suggestions, what would you like to him him write about in his blog? Technical of course!

Nadia Comaneci calls for more opportunities for women in their sport

CBC has compiled a list of what they consider to be the top 10 most influential (and bizarre) drugs scandals in sport

Watch some Women’s Podium Training videos via Gymnastics Australia

Shawn Johnson tweeted that she is getting a new website

Gold: Australia 235.735

Silver: Canada 224.325

Bronze: England 220.475

Danielle Prince, Naazmi Johnston & Janine Murray (Australia)

Francesca Fox, Rachel Ennis and Lynne Hutchison (England)

Lauren Mitchell

Imogen Cairns

Click here for more

Beam

Floor

Vault

P Bars

High Bar

Lauren Mitchell (Australia)

Imogen Cairns (England)

Kristin Klarenbach (Canada)

Australia’s Samuel Offord

Ashish Kumar winning India’s first CWG gymnastics medal

Irodotos Georgallas of Cyprus

Floor

Pommel

Rings

Bars

Vault