Sports, Gymnastics | Rolf (18) in spectacular show
TRIP: “FaceOff will be a successful success with a fantastic stand and perform as expected with the most spectacular out on the floor.”
This is what Stavanger Aftenblad writes after the event in Sola Turnhall on Saturday.
The organizer Sola Turn himself described it as «the world’s roughest turning competition».
According to Aleksander Nøkling Samsonsen from Haugesund Turnforening, FaceOff originated in Denmark in 2014.
– The first event in Norway was in Oslo in 2019. Then came the corona. So this was just the second FaceOff convention in Norway previously, says Samsonsen.
In the video below you can see what it’s all about.
The performers came from all over the world. Among others, Ethan McGuinnes from Australia, who is the reigning world champion in power tumbling.
– But most were from Norway, Sweden and Denmark, says Samsonsen.
DJ, lights and pyrotechnics
FaceOff is a form of free gymnastics, which from the start was intended to recruit more boys to the sport of gymnastics.
According to Stavanger Aftenblad, the concept is designed to create a great atmosphere and not least more entertainment than traditional gymnastics competitions, with the help of our own DJ, lights and pyrotechnics. It competes both individually and in teams.
Both girls and boys participated on Saturday.
Aleksander Nøkling Samsonsen says that six different disciplines were on the programme. He was coach and responsible for the one Norwegian team that was in action at Sola. There he had with him Samson Nyvoll and Rolf Grindhaug from Haugesund Gymnastics Association.
– Samson is only 14 years old and was the youngest performer who was supposed to participate. Unfortunately, he was injured in practice on Friday and had to sit out the show and competition on Saturday. But Rolf was in the team competition and did well. Our team was by far the youngest and came fourth of the four teams that participated. But we pulled through, says Samsonsen.
He describes FaceOff as a trip with completely free rein.
– More daring than traditional team gymnastics, without putting the safety of the athletes at risk, says the coach from Haugesund.
National team news
– Very nice to be part of. And a good atmosphere with lots of sound, reports Rolf Grindhaug on his way back home to Haugalandet.
The 18-year-old, who is from Åkrehamn, is not particularly betting on FaceOff.
– I do troop gymnastics and I took part in this primarily for fun. I haven’t trained specifically for FaceOff and it was quite new for me. But I am satisfied with some of what I accomplished. And not as satisfied with other things, says Rolf Grindhaug.
He was invited to the national team assembly in troop gymnastics last year. Unfortunately it was canceled due to corona.
– I have ambitions as a gymnast and want to become as good as I can be, says the 18-year-old.