Shaun White looks ready for the Vancouver Olympics

The U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix was held last week in Park City, Utah. Shaun White won the mens’ championship and staked his claim as front runner for Olympic gold. At the event, White landed the first ever competition Double McTwist 1260.

Scott Willoughby of the Denver Post caught up with White and his coach Bud Keene,

Keene, the personal coach this season for reigning Olympic and X Games gold medalist Shaun White, believes the snowboarder’s new double McTwist 1260 is the hardest halfpipe trick ever performed. In addition to incorporating another 180-degree spin to the double-cork 1080, the McTwist flip is done to the heel — or blind — side, making it impossible to spot the landing on the 22-foot halfpipe wall until the last possible moment.

And although White has not been severely injured performing the move, he confesses to hitting his head hard enough on at least three occasions to warrant replacing his helmet.

“I was scared. I’ve never admitted that, but I was scared to do this trick,” he said. “It’s really intimidating. It’s such a commitment right off the bat, and to not know what the outcome is going to be before you go into it just takes all your energy and focus, and I’m just happy to have that trick now. It’s the best trick I’ve ever done.”

Read complete Denver Post article.

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This Ninja has Skills

He’s part ninja, part juggler, part Spiderman, and all showman.  Meet Aung Zaw Oo, an animator with Uber Entertainment.

The “AZO Showreel 2009″ features Aung Zaw Oo (AZO) displaying a wide range skills and tricks.  These include:   somersaulting on a treadmill, jumping over his own leg (easier said than done, I’m sure), wall running, cigar box juggling while skateboarding, yo-yoing while doing a back-flip off a wall, jumping into his own clothes, and many more.

AZO has been posting these reels for a few years now.  Here’s his 2009 version:

The movie “Invictus” — How a sport united South Africa

“Invictus” is Latin for invincible or unconquerable.  It’s the title of a short poem by the British poet William Ernest Henley.  It’s also the title of an inspirational, sports feel good movie that opens Friday, December 11.

Per Warner Bros., “From director Clint Eastwood, “Invictus” tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), to help unite their country.

Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.”

MOVIE TRAILER

VIDEO — The real Francois Pienaar, South African rugby legend, shares his thoughts on Mandela

Amazing Mascot Performances

Originally thought to bring luck, mascots back up their fortune bringing with some entertainment punch. During the down times of professional sporting events, mascots entertain fans in a wide variety of ways. Famous mascots include: The San Diego Chicken, The Phillie Phanatic and The Suns Gorilla. Enjoy the following performances of some famous sports teams’ mascots.

BEST MASCOT DANCE AT HALFTIME — Harlem Globetrotters’ “Big G”

The Suns Gorilla & Verve Sol Patrol

The San Diego Chicken and the Purple Dinosaur Dance-off

Three-year-old Sebastian sings the National Anthem

Three-year-old Sebastian sang the Star Spangled Banner to kick off festivities at a University of Minnesota volleyball game against Indiana on November 6, 2009. This was his third time singing the National Anthem in front of a big crowd. Looked like he was ready to go. The Indiana players seemed impressed with his performance. Great job Sebastian!

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Parkour

Parkour — l’art du déplacement, or translated, the art of moving — is a physical discipline of French origin in which participants try to overcome physical obstacles as quickly as they can. Running, climbing, jumping, and landing all play a role as traceurs, practitioners of Parkour, move as if in an emergency situation. Frequently practiced in an urban environment, the goal is to get from Point A to Point B using only your body, creativity and the objects in your immediate environment. This fitness discipline is designed to build strength, agility, endurance and confidence.

Parkour has been featured in a James Bond movie and parodied on The Office — watch Michael, Andy and Dwight in the video below.  Several Parkour clips on YouTube have enjoyed millions of viewers and participation is on the rise.

Parkour Visions, based in Seattle, is a non-profit organization that is using the discipline to reach 500 at-risk youth. By teaching them Parkour, the hope is that they’ll improve their self-esteem and fitness by “transforming their everyday world into an epic playscape.”

“Parkour is unique in that it can practiced anywhere with no equipment required,” notes Tyson Cecka, Executive Director at Parkou Visions, “It has the potential to transform any forgotten space into a playground, a gym, or even a stage. That can be extremely powerful for kids who have not much else to do.”

You can support Parkour Visions through a cool website called Global Giving.

ENJOY THIS VIDEO (but, don’t try this at home)

Parkour on The Office

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