Danell's Emotional Rollercoaster

How's this for the ecstasy and agony of sports:  Danell Leyva went from giving a "Holy Kleenex, Batman, I Think I Just Came" incredible performance on the high bar for the team competition from Tokyo on one evening, to (I think) hitting his chin on the bar during a fall off the high bar on the following evening.

Clip of Danell owning the high bar:


I saw the end of the team competition but the Americans had finished already.  However, Danell's performance on the high bar was so spectacular that they replayed it at the end.  I was like, "Are you kidding me?"  It was really something.  I fortunately did not see the fall last night and I say fortunately because I'm sure I would've been bawling.  I'm thinking Universal Sports will replay this competition this weekend so I might still get to see it.

Performing or falling, Danell always makes it big and memorable!  Here they interview him after the competition and he's back in good spirits after I'm sure he released a lot of anger on something, somewhere.  Such a beauty his is.

Watch more video of World Gymnastics Championships Tokyo 2011 on gymnastike.org

The Champ!!

Looks like dedication and hard work has paid off big time for Danell Leyva!  He won the Visa Championship yesterday to become the new National Champion.  And such a tight race for his first title had to make it that much sweeter.  Up until Jonathan's really heartbreaking fall, it was nothing but tension.  The towel was getting some serious air time!

Here we have Danell being interviewed after the competition, all flush with victory and, dare I say...charming!  Hmmmm, I seem to be rather corny this morning.

Kudos To Danell!

At the Japan Cup last weekend (coverage of which was conspicuously missing from Universal Sports' TV lineup...I'm just sayin'...), Danell Leyva made quite an impact, it seems!  Danell won bronze in the all around competition, a great accomplishment, while the US Men's team as a whole took home a silver medal.  Not a bad meet for Danell, I'd say.

Here's a montage of his highlights.  I always enjoy watching him do floor the most and the final pass includes a very beautiful (and please do excuse my lack of correct terminology, Frankie, you know I'm pretty clueless when it comes to sports...words...) dismount with that somersault that I'm pretty sure is called "in the laid out position"...that sounds familiar.

Danell Leyva In Action: Parallel Bars

Danell Leyva's work here on the parallel bars:  Impressive!  Danell Leyva shirtless in little red shorts:  Impressive!  Danell is training for the Japan Cup which starts July 2nd. I'm counting on Universal Sports to have coverage as they owe me one after getting me hooked on Rugby!!

Danell Leyva Kills Parallel Bars In Practice

Check out his body.  Positioning!!  Check out his body positioning!!  **nervous laughter**  Danell Leyva is really a talented athlete, for reals though.

Danell Leyva Moment

Video of sexy Danell Leyva delivering a fantastic parallel bars routine...I was having a Danell Moment today and decided to Google him...(ahem)...


Watch more video of Danell Leyva on gymnastike.org

An Experiment In Masochism

I think I will read the new copy of Details while watching "A Taste of History" on PBS which features slabs of meat and real butter and the like and then top it off by snacking on 1/2 price Valentine's candy while watching Danell Leyva and his perfect body perfect his pommel horse routine.  After that, I will stand naked in front of the mirror and wonder aloud why my body doesn't look like these guys' bodies and curse Teh God for not instantly transforming me into a brick house.  Then I'll go out and have 10 beers.

Danell...whew...