‘The Koudinov’ is set for Gold Coast
He has already ticked off one first this week, but Mikhail Koudinov is determined to make more history for New Zealand gymnastics before he springs off into retirement.
Fresh off receiving the rare distinction of having a move named after him, Koudinov has been selected to take part in his fourth Commonwealth Games in April as part of the five-strong men’s team.
Joining the Russian-born gymnast on the Gold Coast is 2014 bronze medallist David Bishop, Canadian-based Devy Dyson, Kyleab Ellis and Ethan Dick.
The Kiwi men’s team have never won a Commonwealth Games medal in artistic gymnastics but Koudinov is confident they have a group to change that in what is set to be the last event of his career.
‘‘It’s the fourth time so it’s really special,’’ said Koudinov, known as Misha.
‘‘I really want to bring everyone together and get the first [men’s] team medal in the history of New Zealand gymnastics.
‘‘As long as we do our job, we minimise mistakes, it’s definitely within our reach.’’
Koudinov made headlines this week when the International Federation of Gymnastics added a move he created to its rule book for scoring, known as the Code of Points.
The 26-year-old first pulled off the ‘‘the Koudinov’’ – described as a ‘‘gaylord with 1/1 turn’’ – on the high bar at the 2017 World Qualifications in October, and was classed among gymnastics’ most difficult elements.
Fewer than 100 men’s artistic gymnasts have had a move named after them and Koudinov is the first New Zealander to join that club. The Koudinov was 10 years in the making but he never really thought he would use it in competition.
‘‘People have seen me train it in the past but it’s one of those things that you do it for fun,’’ Koudinov said.
‘‘One day I was playing around in the pit, so it was safe to land. I gave it a couple of tries and thought this was actually possible. After one month I caught it for the first time and the World Championships was another month after that.
‘‘Somehow I caught it on the third attempt and made it happen.’’
Koudinov says it is too risky to use in the team event on the Gold Coast. But if he can get himself into individual medal contention, the Koudinov could be his secret weapon.
‘‘I’ll put together what I can but if I do make a high bar final, which is always the last event of the gymnastics competition, I think I might as well put it out there and go for it.’’
Apart from Koudinov and Bishop, who is making his second Commonwealth Games appearance, the rest of the team are rookies at this level.
Dick is making his senior debut in international competition but Gymnastics New Zealand chief executive Tony Compier believes he has the perfect mentors alongside coach David Phillips.
‘‘The opportunity for Misha and David to guide Ethan, Kyleab and Devy through such an elite event process, is the foundation on which any performance programme is built on,’’ Compier said.
With the Commonwealth Games clashing with the college championships in the United States, and Gymnastics New Zealand only allocated space to select one team, there was not enough depth for a women’s team.
The top three Kiwi female gymnasts – Courtney McGregor, Charlotte Sullivan and Mackenzie Slee – are all on full scholarships in the US but others could still be selected for individual competition.
The nominations for up to five individual athletes have to be made by January 29, with a final decision to be made in February.