Gymnastics – Who Will Be The Next National Champion?

The 2009 Visa Championships is underway and over the course of the weekend new champions will be crowned in Womens Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Acrobatics, and Trampoline. Over 450 athletes were entered in the competition (that includes men, too) that is taking place in Dallas, Texas this week.

Photo: USAG of Olympians Samantha Peszek, Nastia Liukin, Bridget Sloan, Chellsie Memmel – all competing at the 2009 Visa Championships in Dallas

Four members of the women’s Olympic team (for artistic gymnastics) will be competing – Nastia Liukin (beam & bars only), Samantha Peszek (everything but bars), Chellsie Memmel (not sure which events she is competing – at least floor and beam) and Bridget Sloan (all around). They aren’t the only veterans to the competition though – expect to see Ivana Hong and Jana Bieger going for the title as well. Nastia’s teammate Rebecca Bross has also been looking good in practice and will certainly end up in the mix as well.

In the junior competition, I am hoping that Sabrina Vega has another fabulous competition! I think she is ready to be the next star.

Coverage of the meet will be via webcast at Universal Sports (get full schedule) and it will be televised Saturday August 15 on NBC as well (check your local listings).