some people are just being ridiculous. what does it matter if you practice in a gym or not? same coaches, same team, just a different location. Just because we are a large gym doesnt mean were the only ones who can afford it. after us, smoed and elite were done, there were teams lining up to practice next; from other countries. We knew the whole time we would be practicing in a gym, its easier to focus and much safer than practicing on a field. Of course with being on the field comes the Smoed fans crowding around, and makes it hard for most people to focus, which gives someone a higher risk of injury. If we have the opportunity, why not? its a lot easier to be in a space with just the team and coaches and no other distractions to practice.
As for the competition itself, the judges dont care. we always hear our coaches tell us that the judges dont care what happens in the warmup room or if someone has a fluke on the mat; it all comes down to the scoresheets. if someone practices at a gym or if they practice on concrete, in the end it all doesnt matter. its about the 2 minutes and 30 seconds on the mat, and if someone isnt prepared, too bad. thats all it is.
Every single cali team ALSO practiced on the field. it makes no difference. Cali and CEA chose to go to a gym because its obviously a lot safer than practicing on the grass. when it comes down to health, i know cali does not risk anything. Its also easy to get distracted by the other teams that practice on the field. Every team, wether it be a large or small gym, does everything in their power to make the routine the best it can be. and if it means changing the whole routine, so be it. just because CEA and cali are big name gyms, doesnt mean its "unfair". we all work just as hard, and even harder, than every other gym and THATS how we get the titles. not because we had ONE practice in a gym before worlds.
