399: CHUSO (Commissioned)

This episode has been commissioned by Club Gym Nerd member Britt, who asked for an episode all about the career of Oksana Chusovitina, saying, "I wanted to wait until she retired, but who knows when she will ever actually retire." Correct. As we have established, she's not allowed. Part 1 – What Is It About Chuso? Jessica takes us on a scenic tour of Chuso's life (and also the history of the internet?), from her start in Uzbekistan, to her time with the Unified Team, to her marriage and her son's illness, to the Germany years, and full circle back to Uzbekistan again. There will be some feelings. Chuso's longevity by the numbers — 7 Olympics, 17 world championships, and 13 combined medals. Plus, Spencer searches through the archives to find the first instance of a commentator being surprised that Chuso is still competing. Part 2 - The Big Fat Chuso Quiz Part 3 - The Early Years Chuso's successful junior career, her major international debut in 1990, and the fortuitous (for her) circumstances that leg to her breakout performance at the 1991 world championships and making the 1992 Olympic team. Part 4 - Eponymous Skills Chusovitina has 5 eponymous skills in the code of points across three events. We break down each one and discuss other skills Chuso could have had named after herself—as well as whose skills died so that Chuso could live Jessica doesn't care for the code's treatment of full-out elements or twisting pike elements, both of which have personally victimized Oksana Chusovitina Part Feelings - Pause for Love Story Jessica tricks Spencer into talking about love things or whatever by turning it into a test Part 5 - The Germany Years Chuso enjoyed the best all-around finishes of her career while competing for Germany in the mid-late 2000s. We discuss reasons, both mental and technical. And also the Jean Shorts Exhibition. Part 6 - Chuso By Event Chuso's constancy on vault — except for the Prod years. Because everyone makes mistakes No-grips bars, and how she made it work for herself in 2008 Chuso's best beam era came in her 30s, and what if she could do a routine of all punch fronts Our favorite Chuso floor - the split-leg DLO to punch front from 2002. FURTHER READING Gymnovosti – Chusovitina: Try to Catch Up with Me International Gymnast – Ageless Chusovitina Turns 33 SUPPORT THE SHOW Join Club Gym Nerd here. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here. RELATED EPISODES 398: Back from Worlds! Stuttgart: Behind The Scenes 397: 2019 Worlds – Event Finals Day 2 396: 2019 Worlds – Event Finals Day 1 395: 2019 Worlds – Men's All Around Final 394: 2019 Worlds – Women's All-Around Final 393: 2019 Worlds – Men's Team Final 392: 2019 Worlds – Women's Team Final