Bios
Mas Watanabe
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Masayuki Watanabe is known throughout the gymnastics world for his technical expertise of gymnastic movement, and his ability to combine the precision of the physics of movement while maintaining the beauty, elegance, and artistry of gymnastics. He was a member of the Japanese National Team for six years, including Japan’s 1966 World Championship Team, when Japan dominated the World and Olympic competitions. For the past 35 years, he has used his extensive gymnastic knowledge and skills to develop many world-class gymnasts, Olympians, national champions, and trains coaches, at all levels and from many countries.
Watanabe moved to the United States in 1969 and was the Assistant Coach for the University of California Berkeley. Under his coaching, the University was the 1975 NCAA National Champion Team, and two 3rd place finishes in 1974 and 1976. Through the University and his club he trained several athletes that became National Champions and Olympians on both the men’s and women’s side, including 1972 Olympian George Greenfield and 1976 Olympian Tom Beach before being recruited to work full time for the United States Gymnastic Federation.
He is currently coaching elite women gymnasts at Byers Gymnastics Center in Sacramento, California. Received the 2006 USA Gymnastics Lifetime Achievement Award.