07-26-2016, 06:44 PM
Hey, I thought you guys would get a kick out of the interview answers that I just sent in to the Chronicle Herald in Halifax. I am headed to Rio as one of the gymnastics coaches. I am flying straight to Kingston after for the concert on the 20th. Who knows what answers will make it into the final article, but I tried to fit in as many song names as I could without being extra obvious.
Dave
As a two-time Olympian, how does it feel to now attend as a coach? What can you share with your Olympic experience?
I have the luxury of Olympic experience, so hopefully there won't be too many surprises. Rio 2016 is a huge deal, but we have to bring it all back and know that it is just another competition. Lorie Henderson and I have been the team coaches at the major competitions for the past few years, and I was also a coach in London 4 years ago. It is an honour to get back again.
What is your role with the team?
I am one of the two team coaches. I will be at all of the training sessions in Rio, and also out on the competition floor. I help to adjust the equipment for each athlete, and support them to compete at their best.
How does it feel to be in Rio with local gymnast Ellie Black?
It's great! Ellie broke onto the team at the last moment last time around, so it has been quite different being around for the whole quadrennial. Ellie has been such an inspiration to local athletes and gymnasts across the country, it is a beautiful thing to see. She is ready to fight for Team Canada. Ellie dreamed of being a great athlete, but even she didn't know that it would be like this.
The Kikuchi name has a rich legacy in Nova Scotia gymnastics. Please talk to us about that.
My father decided to leave Japan and come to NS about 45 years ago and he has been a main figure ever since. Both he and my mother were key partners in creating Alta gymnastics, and they still coach there now. They guided me through my gymnastics career, and helped me become the coach and man that I am now. One of my sisters was a competitor when she was younger, and now runs the administration at the gym. My other sister did a little bit, but now just has to put up with the rest of us. My wife Crystal competed in the 2000 Olympics and now coaches full time, and my two children take classes at Alta.
When did you know you wanted to be a gymnastics coach? When did you start coaching and please outline your coaching roles to date.
I started coaching some recreational classes when I was 16, and I got my first competitive group as I was finishing up my own gymnastics career. I have a stats degree from Dalhousie, but my interest has remained in the gym and has no threat of leaving. I am the competitive head coach at Alta gymnastics, and in the past I have been the men's provincial coach. I have coached at Canada Games, Commonwealth Games, Pan Am Games, World Championships, and the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
How do you feel about this teams chances going in? Please talk to us about this year's team, key performers, expectations.
We have one of our strongest ever teams, with the goal of qualifying top 8 into the team finals. Ellie Black and Isabela Onyshko (Winnipeg) are a formidable 1-2 punch, and Brittany Rogers (Calgary) really brings up our team score on her events. Shallon Olsen (Vancouver) and Rose Woo (Montreal) are new to the team and they contribute significantly. Shallon is a daredevil on floor and vault, and Rose's bars and beam have great acrobatics and grace, too.
What is the plan for the final leadup to the games?
We are in Sarnia at our training camp right now, and we fly for Rio on July 29. We practice there until the team competition on August 7. With the Olympics now in view, we are making the finishing touches. Our head coach Dave Brubaker has a vision of the best possible team, and we want to be it. Whatever you have to give on the competition day, you have to use it up and don't save a thing for later.
How much of this is mental, how much physical prep, execution?
It's everything, they rely on each other. You need a sharp mind, body like a machine, and the confidence that you can do the job when it counts.
When does competition start, wrap up?
Gymnastics starts on August 7, and goes until the 16th I think.
What are some of the challenges in Rio? Please elaborate
The crowd is expected to be very loud, and there will be more media coverage. For the younger girls who have never competed at a Games before, it will be a new experience. However the rules are the same for everyone, and I think we have the wherewithal to overcome these challenges.
Please talk to about the gymnastics venue. What do you expect, is it a factor?
I haven't been in the venue itself, but they are all laid out the same. The equipment is slightly different each time, but we have been practicing on the equipment that will be in Rio.
Please feel free to add anything else that might be of interest to our readers.
Gymnastics in Nova Scotia is at our highest ever point right now. Ellie Black and Hugh Smith competing at the world level has had a trickle down effect and inspired everyone else. We have 7 national team members this year, and many top results. We are on the verge of even greater things in the future.
Dave
As a two-time Olympian, how does it feel to now attend as a coach? What can you share with your Olympic experience?
I have the luxury of Olympic experience, so hopefully there won't be too many surprises. Rio 2016 is a huge deal, but we have to bring it all back and know that it is just another competition. Lorie Henderson and I have been the team coaches at the major competitions for the past few years, and I was also a coach in London 4 years ago. It is an honour to get back again.
What is your role with the team?
I am one of the two team coaches. I will be at all of the training sessions in Rio, and also out on the competition floor. I help to adjust the equipment for each athlete, and support them to compete at their best.
How does it feel to be in Rio with local gymnast Ellie Black?
It's great! Ellie broke onto the team at the last moment last time around, so it has been quite different being around for the whole quadrennial. Ellie has been such an inspiration to local athletes and gymnasts across the country, it is a beautiful thing to see. She is ready to fight for Team Canada. Ellie dreamed of being a great athlete, but even she didn't know that it would be like this.
The Kikuchi name has a rich legacy in Nova Scotia gymnastics. Please talk to us about that.
My father decided to leave Japan and come to NS about 45 years ago and he has been a main figure ever since. Both he and my mother were key partners in creating Alta gymnastics, and they still coach there now. They guided me through my gymnastics career, and helped me become the coach and man that I am now. One of my sisters was a competitor when she was younger, and now runs the administration at the gym. My other sister did a little bit, but now just has to put up with the rest of us. My wife Crystal competed in the 2000 Olympics and now coaches full time, and my two children take classes at Alta.
When did you know you wanted to be a gymnastics coach? When did you start coaching and please outline your coaching roles to date.
I started coaching some recreational classes when I was 16, and I got my first competitive group as I was finishing up my own gymnastics career. I have a stats degree from Dalhousie, but my interest has remained in the gym and has no threat of leaving. I am the competitive head coach at Alta gymnastics, and in the past I have been the men's provincial coach. I have coached at Canada Games, Commonwealth Games, Pan Am Games, World Championships, and the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
How do you feel about this teams chances going in? Please talk to us about this year's team, key performers, expectations.
We have one of our strongest ever teams, with the goal of qualifying top 8 into the team finals. Ellie Black and Isabela Onyshko (Winnipeg) are a formidable 1-2 punch, and Brittany Rogers (Calgary) really brings up our team score on her events. Shallon Olsen (Vancouver) and Rose Woo (Montreal) are new to the team and they contribute significantly. Shallon is a daredevil on floor and vault, and Rose's bars and beam have great acrobatics and grace, too.
What is the plan for the final leadup to the games?
We are in Sarnia at our training camp right now, and we fly for Rio on July 29. We practice there until the team competition on August 7. With the Olympics now in view, we are making the finishing touches. Our head coach Dave Brubaker has a vision of the best possible team, and we want to be it. Whatever you have to give on the competition day, you have to use it up and don't save a thing for later.
How much of this is mental, how much physical prep, execution?
It's everything, they rely on each other. You need a sharp mind, body like a machine, and the confidence that you can do the job when it counts.
When does competition start, wrap up?
Gymnastics starts on August 7, and goes until the 16th I think.
What are some of the challenges in Rio? Please elaborate
The crowd is expected to be very loud, and there will be more media coverage. For the younger girls who have never competed at a Games before, it will be a new experience. However the rules are the same for everyone, and I think we have the wherewithal to overcome these challenges.
Please talk to about the gymnastics venue. What do you expect, is it a factor?
I haven't been in the venue itself, but they are all laid out the same. The equipment is slightly different each time, but we have been practicing on the equipment that will be in Rio.
Please feel free to add anything else that might be of interest to our readers.
Gymnastics in Nova Scotia is at our highest ever point right now. Ellie Black and Hugh Smith competing at the world level has had a trickle down effect and inspired everyone else. We have 7 national team members this year, and many top results. We are on the verge of even greater things in the future.
![[Image: Leo-Great-Gatsby.jpg]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYqcGbhIG7M/UaW1tavwg8I/AAAAAAAAApg/R77_I4hWjok/s1600/Leo-Great-Gatsby.jpg)