Note: I apologize, but this blog post is pretty detail-oriented, and may be confusing for those who are not gymnastics fans.
I'm very excited to see the leaps and bounds women's gymnastics has travelled since 2009: I have been watching the 2010 World Gymnastics Championships and am really looking forward to this year's competitions and of course, the 2012 London Olympics.
The Russian team looked excellent at the 2010 World Championships. Ever since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russian gymnastics has not been what it once was. The 1996 Olympic team was very good, but was somewhat disjointed as its gymnasts were now separated into the Ukrainian, Belarusian, and other teams. The 2000 Olympic team caused an incredible amount of drama as they begrudgingly accepted the silver medal in the team competition. The 2004 Olympic team cried in jubilation as they accepted their bronze medal. Later, in 2008, they looked on in disappointment as they earned fourth place.
A far cry from the absolutely dominant team from the Soviet Union.
Now, it seems they may be making their return. Their team looks gorgeous: well-trained in ballet with great style and difficulty as well. I was very pleased with their win at the team competition, and know that they must be thrilled! Tatiana Nabieva and Aliya Mustafina stand out in particular, as the two who qualified for the all-around competition. I know that Ksenia Semenova, the adorable and very talented gymnast who placed fourth in the all-around competition in Beijing, was on the world team; however, she was not the star like I had expected. Hopefully she is still healthy and training: I really admire and love her style. Tatiana Nabieva has some incredible difficulty (a toe-on laid out Tkatchev and Amanar vault (round off to 2.5 twist): wow!), but I'm not extremely taken by her because of some form issues. She is an incredible gymnast, nevertheless. I never thought in 2008 that I would like Ksenia Afanasyeva so much: her stylish, but extremely powerful gymnastics is wonderful, and reminiscent of the lovely Anna Pavlova. It was a shame about the two falls she had in the floor final. Aliya Mustafina is an enormous talent who I really love! I'll post more about her later.
Here is Ksenia Afanasyeva's gorgeous floor routine from the team final.
I'm thrilled to see Sandra Izsbasa still on the Romanian team, even after becoming the Olympic Champion on floor exercise in 2008. She is not at the level she once was, but I'm very inspired by her comeback and hope she will continue to grow. One of my favorites, Gabriela Dragoi, is also still on the team. She is not as prominent a team member as I hoped she would be at this point (she was 16 and a rising star in 2008, qualifying for the Olympic balance beam final), but once again, I am excited to see where she will go. Diana Chelaru was someone I've never heard of prior to this competition, and I really adore her powerful, but athletic, beautiful, and fun style. Earning the silver medal in the floor final, her individuality out on the floor is very distinct and refreshing. Finally, Ana Porgras, whom gymnastics fanatics have become slightly obsessed with, looked very good at this competition. I'm hoping for more difficulty from her (she has only a full-twisting Yurchenko at the 2010 Worlds, and I think she could gain more difficulty on all other three apparatuses), but she is a beautiful gymnast, with wonderful lines and great ambition. I am slightly deterred by her hands, as a picky ballet fan, but other than that, I really love her. She is a huge hope for the sport.
Here is Diana Chelaru's floor routine from the team final: I was wowed by her power and personality!
The Chinese team is definitely not the superstar team it was in 2008, but is still doing fairly well for itself, winning the team bronze medal. I'm excited to see He Kexin, Jiang Yuyuan, and Deng Linlin still on the team. I hope to see some forward movement from He Kexin: can you imagine what a threat in the all-around she would be with that bars score? Jiang Yuyuan looks very good, I'm thrilled to see her lovely gymnastics and personality back. Her gymnastics is very clean and beautiful: once again, I'm excited to see her future progress. Deng Linlin, the adorable, tiny 16 year old in Beijing has really developed as a gymnast. Her power is so incredible, especially since it's found in such a tiny gymnast. Finally, Huang Qiushuang is China's new all-around rising star: she seems young and still slightly inexperienced, but very exciting. I hope for more dramatic choreography for her, because she has incredible potential.
Solid beam routine from Jiang Yuyuan in the all-around competition:
The American team looked good, winning the team silver medal. I'm excited to see Alicia Sacramone back, especially after her disappointing performance in Beijing in the team competition. Once again, I really am inspired by her decision to come back, as well as her current success. Rebecca Bross is quite a good gymnast, very dynamic. I'm not a huge fan, but I think highly of what she has achieved and her powerful style. To finish, I would like to say how surprised and excited I was with Alexandra Raisman. She is incredibly stylish, powerful, with very good form. I love her individuality and personality, and can't wait to see what comes next for her!
Here is Alexandra Raisman's floor exercise in the team final: move ahead to 1:05 to see where her routine actually begins.
On another note, I was very impressed with Vanessa Ferrari. She was the Italian all-around champion at the 2006 World Championships, but is still performing very well now. I was not sure she had that in her, and am so glad she is so successful! Also, Beth Tweddle's (from the UK) bars performance in the finals was absolutely astonishing: a deserving champion. I'm sure there are more gymnasts who I was very excited with, and I apologize for not including them.
Beth Tweddle's incredible bars routine in the event finals:
Aliya Mustafina: 2010 World Champion! I am absolutely thrilled for her, she is a wonderful, very exciting gymnast, even at only 16! Her form is very good (except perhaps for her twists), and her style is very traditionally Russian which is wonderful: one can absolutely see her ballet training. She has remarkable difficulty and exciting routines; she is an breathtaking gymnast who deserved completely her all-around title and five total medals at this championship. Here is a video of her beautiful floor routine that completed her all-around competition.
Although I know so much can change in two years in the gymnastics world, this 2010 World Gymnastics Championship has made me very excited for the future and for the 2012 London Olympics. These girls are extremely talented, with innovative skills and gorgeous styles. Every team and every gymnast is unique and exciting, and the future seems to be very bright indeed for gymnastics!
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