Mike Racanelli

Mike Racanelli
Full nameMike Racanelli
Born (1970-10-20) October 20, 1970 (age 54)
Gymnastics career
DisciplineMen's artistic gymnastics
Country representedUnited States
College teamOhio State Buckeyes
Medal record
Men's artistic gymnastics
Representing  United States
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Pan American Games 1 1 0
Total 1 1 0
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1991 Havana Floor
Silver medal – second place 1991 Havana Team
AwardsNissen-Emery Award (1990)

Mike Racanelli (born October 20, 1970) is an American retired gymnast. He was a member of the United States men's national artistic gymnastics team and won a gold and silver medal at the 1991 Pan American Games. His specialty was floor exercise, where he had an expressive style.[1][2]

Gymnastics career

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College

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Racanelli competed for Ohio State University, where he was a 10-time All-American.[3] His coach at OSU was Peter Kormann, who had medalled in the 1976 Olympics. In 1990, Racanelli won the Nissen Award, the "Heisman" of gymnastics,[4] as well as the Big Ten Medal of Honor.[5] At the 1990 NCAA championships, Racanelli won gold in the all-around and floor exercise. Also, he qualified for finals on all 6 apparatus that year, the only athlete to do so.[6][7] Racanelli is a member of Ohio State's Men's Varsity "O" Hall of Fame.[5]

Elite

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In 1989 Racanelli won gold on the floor exercise at the U.S. National Championships[8] and bronze in the all-around.[9] That year, he was also a member of the U.S. World Championships team.[10][11]

In 1990, Racanelli won floor exercise at the Chunichi Cup, becoming the first American since 1984 to win an event gold. Later that year, he competed at the U.S. Olympic Cup.[12]

In 1991, Racanelli, recovering from a shoulder injury, finished only 11th in the all-around at Nationals but won gold on the floor. Later that year, he won floor gold at the World University Games.[2][8] In August, he won another floor gold, at the Pan American Games.

In 1992, Racanelli did not participate in Nationals or Olympic Trials.[13]

In 1995, Racanelli finished 16th overall at Nationals.[14]

In 1996, at Nationals, Racanelli finished fourth on pommel horse and 6th on vault.[15] His all-around score was 17th. Only the top 14 were invited to Olympic Trials.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Towson, Toby (January 1998). "What's Happened to the "Free" in Floor Exercise?" (PDF). usagym.org. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  2. ^ a b "UNIVERSITY GAMES : Racanelli Wins Gymnastics Gold". Los Angeles Times. Sheffield, England. 20 July 1991. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Men's Gymnastics To Compete in The NCAA Championships". Ohio State Buckeyes. 25 March 2000. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  4. ^ "USA Gymnastics | Nissen Emery Award". usagym.org. Archived from the original on 23 August 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  5. ^ a b "OhioStateBuckeyes.com - The official athletic site of the Ohio State University - Traditions". www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com. Archived from the original on 16 November 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  6. ^ "GYMNASTICS NCAA MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIPS : Ohio State Star Wins Five Medals". Los Angeles Times. Minneapolis. 22 April 1990. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  7. ^ Hooley, Bruce (2002). Ohio State's Unforgettables. Sports Pub. ISBN 9781582612430. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  8. ^ a b "USA Gymnastics | U.S. National Champions - Men". usagym.org. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  9. ^ "18-YEAR-OLD RYAN IS YOUNGEST EVER TO WIN NATIONAL GYM CHAMPIONSHIP". DeseretNews.com. 9 July 1989. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  10. ^ "USA Gymnastics | World Championships - Men's Team Rosters". usagym.org. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  11. ^ Stein, Ricki (1 October 1989). "RYAN LEADS U.S. MEN'S TEAM". themorningcall.com. The Morning Call. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  12. ^ "WOOLSEY, RINGNALD LEAD AMERICANS INTO SLC MEET". DeseretNews.com. 28 May 1990. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  13. ^ Ridenour, Maria (12 May 1992). "U S CHAMPIONSHIPS, OLYMPICS ARE OUT FOR EX-OSU GYMNAST MIKE RACANELLI". Columbus Dispatch. p. 1 F. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  14. ^ "GYMN-L Digest - 17 Aug 1995". www.gymn-forum.net. 17 August 1995. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  15. ^ "Event Champions Named at the Coca-Cola National Gymnastics Championships". USA Gymnastics. 8 June 1996. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  16. ^ "GYMN-L Digest". www.gymn-forum.net. 6 June 1996. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
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