Rhythmic Gymnastics

I have a friend of a friend who is heavily into rhythmic gymnastics - something about which I know nothing. Enter Wikipedia:

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Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which single competitors or groups of two or more manipulate five types of apparatus: Ball, Clubs, Hoop, Ribbon, and Rope. It combines elements of ballet, gymnastics, theatrical dance, and apparatus manipulation. The victor is the participant who earns the most points, as awarded by a panel of judges, for leaps, balances, pivots, flexibility, apparatus handling and artistic effect.

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Here's a sample of rhythymic gymnastics (with emphasis on flexibility):

rythmic gymnastics competition

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And here's another:

Alexandra Orlando

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The sport was even featured in a Bernie Mac episode:

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'Eye of the Tiger' (episode #45)

Shaquille O'Neal has a cameo, and Jordan drops basketball for rhythmic gymnastics, to the horror of Bernie, who finds it embarrassing and effeminate. Jordan: Jeremy Suarez. Vanessa: Camille Winbush. Wanda: Kellita Smith.

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Back to Wikipedia:

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Rhythmic gymnastics is largely a sport for women and girls, but a growing number of men participate. The Japanese's version of Men's rhythmic gymnastics includes tumbling and is performed on a spring floor. Points are awarded based a 10-point scale that measures the level of difficulty of the tumbling and apparatus handling. Individuals compete in four types of apparatus: rope, stick, double rings and clubs. Groups do not use any apparatus. Japan hosted the first men's world championships in 2003, drawing teams from Canada, Korea, Malaysia, and the United States.

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Whew. And I thought bellydancing was hard.

From the Ontario Empoblog (Latest OVVA news here)