Lesley Young/ DeSoto Appeal
GYM DANDIES
By Lesley young
Special to DeSooto Appeal
As American gymnasts Kerri Strug, Dominique Dawes and Shannon Miller waited with anticipation for their final scores at the 1996 Olympics, hoping to bring home the gold medal, many Americans waited along with them.
And as the announcement was made and the team danced with joy, there in the background stood their coach, Geza Pozsar, quietly proud of his girls.
Saturday, the coach of more than 30 Olympic gold medalists taught quietly at USA Elite Gymnastics in Olive branch.
“I’ve helped here long time. We’ve had several years’ collaboration,” Pozsar said in broken English and a quiet voice that makes the listener lean in to hear. “there are some very good gymnasts here. I’ve seen lot of talent.”
Pozsar met Donna and Gene Alexin, the owners of USA ELite Gymnastics, at national trials, and the Alexins approached him about visiting their gym.
“They asked to to come and train, and so I come once, and I come twice, and I just kept coming,” he laughed.
“He’s just really incredible,” Donna said.
Pozsar is a choreographer, which means he chooses the music and develops the floor routines for Olympic gymnasts.
He got his start in Romania - first , as a ballet performer, then a dance coach, then the choreographer for the Romanian gymnastics team, Pozsar defected to the United States with Nadia’s famous coach, Bella Karolyi, with whom he worked until Karolyi retired in 2001.
“The night before I defected I talked ot my wife on the phone and she asked me what I wanted for dinner when I got home,” he said.
He said Hungarian goulash.
Pozsar had to wait several months to get his goulash, until the U.S. secretary f State brought his wife and daughter then 2, to the States to live.
Now, his daughter is actor George Clooney’s assistant, and Pozsar has his own gym in Sacramento, Calif., and visits gyms, such as USA Elite, all over the country.
USA Elite has put 17 girls through college with full scholarships. the gym has four “level 10” girls, which means they are just below elite, the highest level a gymnast can reach; and has had 27 to qualify for Junior Olympic national Championships.
Saturday, on his Olive Branch visit, Pozsar picked a perky little polka-like tune for 10-year-old Jordan Cummins’s routine, which included head bobs and flips and bounces reminiscent of Nadia’s.
Quite contrary to his long time partner Karolyi’s reputation, Pozsar is quiet and calm, barely audible, elegant as a ballet dancer would be.
And after reaching the top in his profession, he’s humble too.
“From the words of American poet: At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how much money is in the bank. What matters is if you’ve made a difference in the life of a child. That’s my credo,” he said.
To Jordan, who’s probably never head of Nadia Comaneci, she had simple words about the experience of training with the best.
“It’s real cool,” said the Southaven girl.
Jim Weber/ The Commercial Appeal
GYM DANDY
by Jon W. Sparks
Commerical Appeal
The gymnastics roylaty has arrived.
Tuesday he ruled in a weary warehouse in Olive Branch where florescent lights flicker nad buzz irritably.
But the eager young subjects are fully hcarged by Geza Pozsar, a world famous gymnastics coach and choreographer. he achieved noblity working with the Romainian National Gymnastics Team (including superstar Nadia Comaneci), and after defecting to the United Staes in 1981, inspiring a host of gymnastics celebes from mary louretoon through the golden 1996 Olympic team.
And it’s just possible he might nurture future medalists form the Midsouth.
As a veteran of four Olympics, eight World Championships, and a lifetime of teaching and encouraging, he has itnessed plentty. This summer’s Olympic events and misadventures- are but a tick in history.
“Little mistakes make a big difference,” Pozsar remarks pragmatically. he is ocmmitted to excellence, but there is more to gymnastics than a score.
One of his favorite stories is of a tudents who’s been with him since age 6. He earned a college scholarsip even though she never made the national team.
But she was unflagging.
“She says she knows she’s mediocre but she got a scholarship. I’m proud of her.”
Pozsar visits Memphis several times a year fromm his schol in Sacramento because he sees similiar devotion. “I find kids here are diedicated, talented, and have potential. I got attached and it’s just so nice to see them grow and get better and better.”
Tiny Elizabeth Myers is one such child. hse’s barely 8 years old but with tons of energy. As gymnsts and parents gather in pratice area, she bellines to the balance beam and wears i out. later on the mat, she’ll move with authority to “Chantilly lace” as Pozsar offeres gentle direction.
Elizabeth’s mother, Kim Myers, says the setup is ideal for homeschoolers who gather at the USA Elite Gymsatrs facility in Olive Branch (but soon moving to Collierville) for school (8 a.m. to nooon0 and gymnastics (12:30 to 6 p.m.).
Elizabeth isn’t doing this because she adhere to Pozsar’s philosophy that gymnastics keep kids out of trouble, are healthier than TV and video games, and help devolop coordination. her mother says it’s more basic than that. She iwll be in the 2012 Olympics.
“Just ask her.”
-Jon W. Sparks: 529-2533
Jim Weber/ The Commercial Appeal