Rowan had her first meet this week, out at Kimpo, near Inchon, Korea. It was a HUGE meet, a full day of school kids from preschool to 8th grade, then groups, then FIG seniors and juniors, along with the national Korea group doing 2 routines for exhibition.
I was sooo nervous for Rowan, I can only imagine how she felt! Mark was able to come, though the taxi he took got into an accident on the way! The, coaches all judge, they have a ton of judges, and the girls warm up by themselves. Poor Rowan looked like a deer in the headlights, wandering around the warm up area not really practicing or stretching, just staring. It was pretty overwhelming! She did freehands first, and the crowd was really cool- they loved her! *EVERYONE* knows who she is, because we practice at a high school with the strongest RG program in the country, and the national team coach is sometimes there, and lots of really high level girls. So word gets around- RG is pretty small in Korea, anyway, compared to the US. But the girls that they *do* have are much better, they train at school, and with private ballet coaches and RG coaches. They have what have to be $1000 leotards, seriously.
Rowan did great, didn't forget her routines (a concern, because they changed up unti lthe DAY BEFORE the meet!!) and was more snappy and polished than the girls in her school year category (grade 2). She got 1st in hoop and ball, and 3rd in freehands. Unfortunately, I am pretty sure she doesn't really get the 1st place award, because she is a non-citizen. That's okay though, the US used to have a rule like that too, and she knows she got the most points, even if she can't get first. She doesn't really do it for awards anyway, she does it for...well, I have no idea. She just loves it!
It was neat to hear them call her name- Row-in Bo-Duh-Ry. There wasn't room on the form for the meet to put her whole name, even in Hangul, so that's what she ended up with. All the moms and other team mates have a set cheer they chant- they say the gymnast's name, clap three times, and say "Hal Ti" which is like "you can do it". Adorable!
The second day we got out there at 7 am and Yuna's mom did everyone's hair. Poor Rowan's hair- it got so broken off and damaged! Her hair is much more delicate than the other girls. The coach, Kim Sung Saeng Nim (that means teacher), did their make up. Rowan looked a lot more like the other girls when she was done! They were the first of 6 freehands groups to go on, and the girls were hilarious watching the other routines. They cheered whenever a group messed up, and when the scores were posted and they were still in first. Unfortunately, Kimpo Elementary has a school club with wicked good girls (in very expensive leotards I don't think the moms had to sew!!) and they beat the GS Square girls. Still, 2nd is pretty good! (I think there is a possibility they won't actually receive 2nd though, due to Rowan. I just don't know how that works. I will feel terrible if that is so, but I know her coach knew ahead of time as she is an FIG level judge and obviously is well versed on the rules.)
Then we stayed to watch Korean 2008 Olympian Shin Soo Ji, and the other senior FIG girls. They were awesome! All in all, a very unique and exciting experience. I am so glad Rowan is involved with RG and we have had the opportunity to experience this type of thing.
