# Spectacular gymnastic routine! - Worth a look! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 27, 2011, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268 "2011-08-27T05:34:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/1 "2011-08-27T05:34:04Z")
[WOW!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK9TPs_yUz8&feature=player_embedded#!) [by Boyanka Angelova](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyanka_Angelova) ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/2 "2011-08-27T06:18:32Z")
Amazing! But can she dunk? ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/3 "2011-08-27T14:17:50Z")
I know other atheletes take jabs at rhythmic gymnastics, and when you just describe it it does _sound_ silly but how does a routine like that not shut them up? I really like watching these routines and the ones with the ribbons. What i wish I could figure out is how it all started. “Yeah, Nina, folding yourself in half is great, and that spinning? Fantastic. What you need to bring it all together though is to catch a ball with your ankle!” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/4 "2011-08-27T14:21:56Z")
Tres awesome. 90 seconds of amazement. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/5 "2011-08-27T16:26:30Z")
I believe she is double jointed with that level of flexibility. And if I remember correctly, she goes both ways: forward and backwards. Guys, start drooling. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/6 "2011-08-27T16:30:31Z")
Is it usual for gymnastics competitions to include props like that? I don’t think I’ve ever seen gymnasts use something like that before. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/7 "2011-08-27T16:45:19Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Is it usual for gymnastics competitions to include props like that? I don’t think I’ve ever seen gymnasts use something like that before. That’s a separate branch of gymnastics called [Rythmic Gymnastics](http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/pages/rhythmic/pages/index.html). There are a handful of approved props and the athletes can show some amazing creativity with them. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/8 "2011-08-27T16:46:55Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#): > > I believe she is double jointed with that level of flexibility. And if I remember correctly, she goes both ways: forward and backwards. Guys, start drooling. We’re not allowed to for one more year (she’s 17)… ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/9 "2011-08-27T16:49:26Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#): > > I believe she is double jointed with that level of flexibility. And if I remember correctly, **she goes both ways** : forward and backwards. Guys, start drooling. Even better! ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/10 "2011-08-27T16:53:12Z")
Amazing! But y know what’s weird as hell? [ > [@](#): > > Boyanka Angelova belongs to the CSKA sports club in Sofia. In 2010 she was appointed to the Bulgarian adult women’s team for rhythmic gymnastics, but did not reach the finals. ]([Boyanka Angelova - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyanka_Angelova)) Are you fuckin’ kidding me? Who the hell was better than her? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/11 "2011-08-27T17:29:15Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Amazing! But y know what’s weird as hell? > > [url=[Boyanka Angelova - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyanka_Angelova)] > > Are you fuckin’ kidding me? Who the hell was better than her? One small fault can really cost you. What is really amazing about this video is that ball is actually a bowling ball. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/12 "2011-08-27T17:44:52Z")
She’s very bendy. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/13 "2011-08-27T17:45:55Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#): > > I believe she is double jointed with that level of flexibility. No such thing. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/14 "2011-08-27T17:51:29Z")
This is what pisses me off about shows like America’s (or Britain’s or Latvia’s) Got Talent. They probably feature spectacular acts like this, and more people would see them, but those shows are such a total cockup of maudlin backstory, host mugging, judge preening and obnoxious audience pandering that I can’t bear to watch it, so I only catch beauty and skill this amazing through a viral video on a small screen. ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/15 "2011-08-27T19:20:27Z")
Judging by the OP’s thread [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=622037), there’s an ongoing fascination with rhythmic gymnastics. Can’t blame him. > [@gwendee](#): > > I know other atheletes take jabs at rhythmic gymnastics, and when you just describe it it does _sound_ silly but how does a routine like that not shut them up? From what I’ve seen, athletes definitely don’t disparage the _athleticism_ of RGs (or gymnasts, figure skaters, cheerleaders… maybe ballroom dancers or equestrian riders). They take jabs at the perceived subjectivity in judging. > [@Telemark](#): > > There are a handful of approved props and the athletes can show some amazing creativity with them. IIRC, there are four props: balls, ribbons, clubs, hoops. A fifth, ropes, is being phased out and may still be used in some circles. > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Who the hell was better than her? Watch a lot of RG, and you’ll find the pool of talent is pretty big. At the Olympic level, there are dozens just as talented. > [@singular1](#): > > This is what pisses me off about shows like America’s (or Britain’s or Latvia’s) Got Talent. They probably feature spectacular acts like this, and more people would see them, but those shows are such a total cockup of maudlin backstory, host mugging, judge preening and obnoxious audience pandering that I can’t bear to watch it, so I only catch beauty and skill this amazing through a viral video on a small screen. Since RG is a sanctioned sport, the people that are this good are not going to stoop to reality TV appearances. This one video might be viral, but these are kids and young adults who are performing in international competitions, and who get featured in Olympic broadcasts… they’re not backyard amateurs who never get their chance to shine. Oh, and as a tangent, here’s one of my favorite “viral” artists that I caught through a “…Got Talent” video upload: [sand animator Kseniya Simonova](http://youtu.be/518XP8prwZo). No cool choreographed routines and tight costumes, but I still love it (and subscribe to Kseniya’s YouTube channel). ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2011, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/16 "2011-08-27T19:27:57Z")
I’m sure Opal can answer this, but I wonder if parts of that routine would be considered a subset of contact juggling? ---
**Author:** ![Uber\_the\_Goober](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/58956e/32.png) [@Uber\_the\_Goober](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uber_the_Goober)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/17 "2011-08-28T03:17:16Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > One small fault can really cost you. > What is really amazing about this video is that ball is actually a bowling ball. :rolleyes: 😉 Har Har. I assume sarcasm. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/18 "2011-08-28T10:41:15Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > We’re not allowed to for one more year (she’s 17)… We Brits are. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/19 "2011-08-28T16:14:15Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > We Brits are. 😛 Actually, **John DiFool** ’s post is somewhat misleading. In the vast majority of US states, the age of consent for sexual intercourse is below the age of 18. By my count, only 13 states have 18 as the age of consent. Most states have 16 as the legal age. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268/20 "2011-08-28T18:07:24Z")
I liked this comment - > [@](#): > > amazing, and she does it by traveling less than lebron 😃 She practically looked boneless! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectacular-gymnastic-routine-worth-a-look/594268.md?page=2)