I was on youtube and I came across these videos of the WOGA girls training at their Italian camp this week. Nastia coaching Lizzy Leduc, Katelyn Ohashi, Grace McLaughlin, Briley Casanova and Sophia Lee on Tumbling:
Katelyn Ohashi training 2 flicks to a layout 2 feet on beam (can't believe how many people are that close to her filming!):
Thanks to youtube user 88gymnast for the videos and hopefully there will be more to come!
Friday, 11 June 2010
Monday, 26 April 2010
Europeans News
All the WAG teams seem to have made it so we are in for an exciting competition!
The AllAround Gymnastics News had some notes on Junior podium training here
Some of the main points include:
Viktoria Komova: some problems on floor with triple twist and double arabian pass and overrotated her DTY. She looked good on bars though and she was the only Russian not to fall on beam. She performed an excellent routine but did not include the double arabian dismount.
Anastasia Grishina: performed a beautiful floor but with a sat down 2 1/2 at the end and showed a well executed bars routine. she fell on her full twisting tuck back and was hesitant throughout.
Violetta Malikova: She was showing the signs of her injury with a watered down floor and problems on bars. 2 falls on beam including on her layout to 2 feet.
French Juniors - problems on vault, all had good bars, the team as a whole were solid on beam with only one fall and a good amount of difficulty. Floor was not so good with some falls and average difficulty.
Swedish Juniors: One of the improving nations and showed good basics and execution throughout.
British Gymnastics have posted a few photos of Junior Podium Training on their facebook page. There is one of the Romanians and it seems that the team is now Larisa Iordache, Diana Bulimar, Madalina Neagu, Ana Maria Baicu and Beatrice Margarit. No Maria Balea which is a shame hope she is not injured.
the GB Teams have changed the Senior Team is Tweddle, Hibbert, Downie, Rippin and Hunt with Danusia Francis out from a hamstring injury. Junior Team is now Rebecca Tunney, Ruby Harold, Jessica Hogg, Billie Mckenzie and Laura Mitchell. No Venus Romaeo or Lizzie Beddoe both are my favourites, not sure if they are injured or not.
The AllAround Gymnastics News had some notes on Junior podium training here
Some of the main points include:
Viktoria Komova: some problems on floor with triple twist and double arabian pass and overrotated her DTY. She looked good on bars though and she was the only Russian not to fall on beam. She performed an excellent routine but did not include the double arabian dismount.
Anastasia Grishina: performed a beautiful floor but with a sat down 2 1/2 at the end and showed a well executed bars routine. she fell on her full twisting tuck back and was hesitant throughout.
Violetta Malikova: She was showing the signs of her injury with a watered down floor and problems on bars. 2 falls on beam including on her layout to 2 feet.
French Juniors - problems on vault, all had good bars, the team as a whole were solid on beam with only one fall and a good amount of difficulty. Floor was not so good with some falls and average difficulty.
Swedish Juniors: One of the improving nations and showed good basics and execution throughout.
British Gymnastics have posted a few photos of Junior Podium Training on their facebook page. There is one of the Romanians and it seems that the team is now Larisa Iordache, Diana Bulimar, Madalina Neagu, Ana Maria Baicu and Beatrice Margarit. No Maria Balea which is a shame hope she is not injured.
the GB Teams have changed the Senior Team is Tweddle, Hibbert, Downie, Rippin and Hunt with Danusia Francis out from a hamstring injury. Junior Team is now Rebecca Tunney, Ruby Harold, Jessica Hogg, Billie Mckenzie and Laura Mitchell. No Venus Romaeo or Lizzie Beddoe both are my favourites, not sure if they are injured or not.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
What are the best in Europe doing? - Senior Beam
Unlike bars there are a lot more gymnasts with high difficulty scores on beam, so I only included gymnasts who have proven this year that they are also able to get high execution scores. From reviewing the scores from this year I think gymnasts would need a score of mid to high 14s to make the final which low to mid 15s probably taking the medals.
The best gymnast on beam is obviously Ana Porgras and if she can hit I don't think anyone can beat her. I believe her highest score this year is 15.250 (D Score: ) at the Romanian International.
Second Place I think will go to the other Romanian qualifier whoever that may be. It's mostly likely to be Amelia Racea or Raluca Haidu, although Diana Chelaru is also capable and has more experience. Amelia Racea scored a 15.150 at the Romanian International and Raluca Haidu scored a 14.90 and if they perform up to their potential they are more than capable of winning a medal.
Another medal contender is definetley Youna Dufournet. Although I don't like her on this event and hate her Onodi! She has proven to be consistent and has a lot of difficulty (D Score: 6.1 - 6.4). Top Score this year: 15.150 at a Euro Trial. Below is her routine from the FRA/GBR/ROU meet Score 14.90:
Ksenia Semenova is also still capable of scoring well on this piece which I think is now her best piece. D Score: 5.80 Top Score this year 14.675 (Russian Championships) which can be seen here.
Last years European Beam Champion Yana Demyanchuk who is injured should still be able to make it to the final as she scored a 14.850 earlier this year at the Ukraine Cup.
Other gymnasts who should make the final include:
Elisabetta Preziosa who made the World Beam Final last year with her extreme flexibility and excellent leaps. Top Score this year 14.90 (Serie A2, D Score: 5.90):
Vanessa Ferrari is still coming back from injury but we all know she is able to fight and perform under pressure. This year she has put up some impressive performance her best being a 15.00 (Serie A2, D Score: 5.80):
Vasiliki Millousi suprised everyone by qualifying in first place for the beam final at last years Euros but unfortunately could not keep it together in the finals. She could be capable of better this year and has already had a string of good performances this year her best score being in Greece (14.60, D Score 5.70 - 6.10). Below is her routine from Paris finals Score: 14.250:
Sanne Wevers: I would love to see her and her spins make a major final! It always impresses me how easily she spins whereas nearly every other gymnast has problems with just their one spin. Top Score this year 14.550 (Euro Trial, D Score: 5.70). Check out her 3 spin combo below:
Valeriia Maksyuta: She made the final last year but has had very inconsistent performances this year with scores ranging from 12.30 to her top score of 15.10 at the Zakharova Cup. So depending on which gymnast turns up will determine if she makes the final. Below is her routine from the Cottbus final which kind of highlights her so far:
My last mention for this bean final is Aliya Mustafina who has only been able to score 14.20 this year because of injuries but I'm hoping she has recovered as I want to see as much of her gymnastics as possible!
The best gymnast on beam is obviously Ana Porgras and if she can hit I don't think anyone can beat her. I believe her highest score this year is 15.250 (D Score: ) at the Romanian International.
Second Place I think will go to the other Romanian qualifier whoever that may be. It's mostly likely to be Amelia Racea or Raluca Haidu, although Diana Chelaru is also capable and has more experience. Amelia Racea scored a 15.150 at the Romanian International and Raluca Haidu scored a 14.90 and if they perform up to their potential they are more than capable of winning a medal.
Another medal contender is definetley Youna Dufournet. Although I don't like her on this event and hate her Onodi! She has proven to be consistent and has a lot of difficulty (D Score: 6.1 - 6.4). Top Score this year: 15.150 at a Euro Trial. Below is her routine from the FRA/GBR/ROU meet Score 14.90:
Ksenia Semenova is also still capable of scoring well on this piece which I think is now her best piece. D Score: 5.80 Top Score this year 14.675 (Russian Championships) which can be seen here.
Last years European Beam Champion Yana Demyanchuk who is injured should still be able to make it to the final as she scored a 14.850 earlier this year at the Ukraine Cup.
Other gymnasts who should make the final include:
Elisabetta Preziosa who made the World Beam Final last year with her extreme flexibility and excellent leaps. Top Score this year 14.90 (Serie A2, D Score: 5.90):
Vanessa Ferrari is still coming back from injury but we all know she is able to fight and perform under pressure. This year she has put up some impressive performance her best being a 15.00 (Serie A2, D Score: 5.80):
Vasiliki Millousi suprised everyone by qualifying in first place for the beam final at last years Euros but unfortunately could not keep it together in the finals. She could be capable of better this year and has already had a string of good performances this year her best score being in Greece (14.60, D Score 5.70 - 6.10). Below is her routine from Paris finals Score: 14.250:
Sanne Wevers: I would love to see her and her spins make a major final! It always impresses me how easily she spins whereas nearly every other gymnast has problems with just their one spin. Top Score this year 14.550 (Euro Trial, D Score: 5.70). Check out her 3 spin combo below:
Valeriia Maksyuta: She made the final last year but has had very inconsistent performances this year with scores ranging from 12.30 to her top score of 15.10 at the Zakharova Cup. So depending on which gymnast turns up will determine if she makes the final. Below is her routine from the Cottbus final which kind of highlights her so far:
My last mention for this bean final is Aliya Mustafina who has only been able to score 14.20 this year because of injuries but I'm hoping she has recovered as I want to see as much of her gymnastics as possible!
What are the best in Europe doing? - Junior Bars
I think the Russian Team as a whole will be points ahead of everyone else on this apparatus. the top 2 should be Viktoria Komova annd Anastasia Grishina. The rest of the team are also good on bars and are worthy of the bars final if one of the top 2 messes up in qualification: Anastasia Sidorova (D Score: 5.40), Maria Paseka (D Score 5.80) and Violetta Malikova (D Score: 5.90).
Although it will be close I think Komova will win ahead of Grishina but either way they are both excellent on this piece and have start values of 6.50:
One of the best routines I have ever seen Komova do is available here
Even though the Romanians are not strong on bars I still expect Larisa Iordache and Diana Bulimar to make the final, they have improved on this piece and apart from the russians, bars is a weak piece in Europe for everyone. Of the 2 I prefer Iordache's line and she has more difficulty:
Others who have a good chance of making the final include:
Andrea Foti (ITA): She has a D Score of 5.60 and she has been hitting consistently this year.
Sara Catanzaro (SUI): D Score 5.60. She has some execution errors but there is potential if she can put it all together.
Rebecca Tunney (GB): D Score 5.50. This is more of a hopeful choice as she has potential on this event but is really inexperienced, but I'm hoping at least one Junior from the home team can make a final. She is from the same club as Beth Tweddle but with a different coach.
Julie Croket (BEL): D Score 5.40. She is a real talent, this is not her best event but she still has a chance to make the final if she can handle the pressure.
Mira Boumejmajen (FRA): D Score 5.50. Another stylish gymnast from France who has soke really great skills in her routine.
Maria Livchikova (UKR). She is also lacking experience but I really like her and recently at the Zakharova Cup she performed well woth good execution.
Although it will be close I think Komova will win ahead of Grishina but either way they are both excellent on this piece and have start values of 6.50:
One of the best routines I have ever seen Komova do is available here
Even though the Romanians are not strong on bars I still expect Larisa Iordache and Diana Bulimar to make the final, they have improved on this piece and apart from the russians, bars is a weak piece in Europe for everyone. Of the 2 I prefer Iordache's line and she has more difficulty:
Others who have a good chance of making the final include:
Andrea Foti (ITA): She has a D Score of 5.60 and she has been hitting consistently this year.
Sara Catanzaro (SUI): D Score 5.60. She has some execution errors but there is potential if she can put it all together.
Rebecca Tunney (GB): D Score 5.50. This is more of a hopeful choice as she has potential on this event but is really inexperienced, but I'm hoping at least one Junior from the home team can make a final. She is from the same club as Beth Tweddle but with a different coach.
Julie Croket (BEL): D Score 5.40. She is a real talent, this is not her best event but she still has a chance to make the final if she can handle the pressure.
Mira Boumejmajen (FRA): D Score 5.50. Another stylish gymnast from France who has soke really great skills in her routine.
Maria Livchikova (UKR). She is also lacking experience but I really like her and recently at the Zakharova Cup she performed well woth good execution.
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
What are the best in Europe doing? - Senior Bars
I decided to do a series of post on the best gymnasts in Europe on each apparatus for Seniors and Juniors in the lead up to this years Europeans in Birmingham.
SENIOR BARS
Below in no particular order are the gymnasts I think have the best chance to make the bars finals and/or medal as well as some outsiders who could sneak in:
Beth Tweddle - D Score 6.80
Youna Dufournet - D Score 6.90
Aliya Mustafina - D Score 6.60 (with potential for more if adding her new dismount)
Tatiana Nabieva - D Score 6.50
Natalia Kononenko - D Score 6.40
Ana Porgras - D Score 6.30
Serena Licchetta - D Score 5.80
Others with a chance:
Laura Svilpaite - D Score 5.80
Becky Downie - D Score 6.10 (if she can hit)
Ksenia Semenova - D Score 5.90 (I would think she needs Nabieva or Mustafina to mess up in order for her to make the final but it is possible)
Ekaterina Kurbatova - D Score 6.00 (probably needs to improve her form a lot to beat the others on her team but she has the D Score needed)
Vanessa Ferrari - D Score 5.80
Pauline Morel - D Score 5.80
Celine Van Gerner - D Score 5.80
Marie-Sophie Hindermann - D Score 5.60
Raluca Haidu - D Score 5.50
Amelia Racea - D Score 5.60?
Aagje Vanwalleghem - D Score 6.10
Elisabeth Seitz - D Score 5.70
SENIOR BARS
Below in no particular order are the gymnasts I think have the best chance to make the bars finals and/or medal as well as some outsiders who could sneak in:
Beth Tweddle - D Score 6.80
Youna Dufournet - D Score 6.90
Aliya Mustafina - D Score 6.60 (with potential for more if adding her new dismount)
Tatiana Nabieva - D Score 6.50
Natalia Kononenko - D Score 6.40
Ana Porgras - D Score 6.30
Serena Licchetta - D Score 5.80
Others with a chance:
Laura Svilpaite - D Score 5.80
Becky Downie - D Score 6.10 (if she can hit)
Ksenia Semenova - D Score 5.90 (I would think she needs Nabieva or Mustafina to mess up in order for her to make the final but it is possible)
Ekaterina Kurbatova - D Score 6.00 (probably needs to improve her form a lot to beat the others on her team but she has the D Score needed)
Vanessa Ferrari - D Score 5.80
Pauline Morel - D Score 5.80
Celine Van Gerner - D Score 5.80
Marie-Sophie Hindermann - D Score 5.60
Raluca Haidu - D Score 5.50
Amelia Racea - D Score 5.60?
Aagje Vanwalleghem - D Score 6.10
Elisabeth Seitz - D Score 5.70
Friday, 9 April 2010
Romanian International Videos
Videos are available on Ecorn1x's Youtube Channel. For the Seniors young star Raluca Haidu won the AA scoring 58.150. She actually performed a DTY (14.700) which is impressive for someone so tiny. Beam was solid with just a few wobbles but landed her tuck back full fine (14.900) and can be seen here. Her floor routine (14.350) is below:
Ana Porgras was 2nd in the AA (57.050) after yet another inconsistent performance this time it was problems with bars (13.300). Her beam (15.150) was ok a few wobbles but nothing major:
Its weird normally I watch the Romanian floor routines for the tumbling but with Porgras (14.600) it is the opposite I watch it for the spins and bits in between the tumbling:
Amelia Racea competed well apart from a low score on floor (13.250) and earned 56.700 All Around. She performed an untidy DTY to score (14.550) and apparently she was having tropuble with it in warm ups. Her beam (14.950) was nice and interesting to watch with some different combinations then we normally see:
Cerasela Patrascu seems to be getting nearer to her best with a nice performance on beam (13.700), but she still has a watered down dismount which limits her score a little:
Sandra Izbasa returned to competition with an exhibition on beam to prove all the non believers wrong!
Diana Chelaru did not have a good day with falls on bars and beam (13.700). Beam can be seen here.
Among the Juniors Diana Bulimar won the AA. She had a very exciting upgrade on floor which was a well performed double layout! She also had a 1 1/2 step out+double tuck, piked full in and double pike in the routine and never stoppped moving. I love that she performs with a smile:
Maria Balea is so cute and tiny! Her floor routine (13.500) was tiring to watch she never stopped moving and she tumbles so fast:
Larisa Iordache seemed to have many problems with 3 falls, one that did not look good was on a double twisting front layout on floor where she seemed to miss time it. Her floor along with Patrascu and Porgras performing FTYs is available here.
Credit goes to Sri Ea for all coverage, Thank You!
Ana Porgras was 2nd in the AA (57.050) after yet another inconsistent performance this time it was problems with bars (13.300). Her beam (15.150) was ok a few wobbles but nothing major:
Its weird normally I watch the Romanian floor routines for the tumbling but with Porgras (14.600) it is the opposite I watch it for the spins and bits in between the tumbling:
Amelia Racea competed well apart from a low score on floor (13.250) and earned 56.700 All Around. She performed an untidy DTY to score (14.550) and apparently she was having tropuble with it in warm ups. Her beam (14.950) was nice and interesting to watch with some different combinations then we normally see:
Cerasela Patrascu seems to be getting nearer to her best with a nice performance on beam (13.700), but she still has a watered down dismount which limits her score a little:
Sandra Izbasa returned to competition with an exhibition on beam to prove all the non believers wrong!
Diana Chelaru did not have a good day with falls on bars and beam (13.700). Beam can be seen here.
Among the Juniors Diana Bulimar won the AA. She had a very exciting upgrade on floor which was a well performed double layout! She also had a 1 1/2 step out+double tuck, piked full in and double pike in the routine and never stoppped moving. I love that she performs with a smile:
Maria Balea is so cute and tiny! Her floor routine (13.500) was tiring to watch she never stopped moving and she tumbles so fast:
Larisa Iordache seemed to have many problems with 3 falls, one that did not look good was on a double twisting front layout on floor where she seemed to miss time it. Her floor along with Patrascu and Porgras performing FTYs is available here.
Credit goes to Sri Ea for all coverage, Thank You!
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Review of Recent State Championships
A couple of weeks ago Gymnastike covered some of the State Championships including Virginia Level 8 - 10, Texas Level 9 & 10 and Illinois Level 10, and as there were so many videos I decided to post some of my favourite routines from each.
Simone Biles - She trains at Bannon's and is a real powerhouse winning 1st on Vault (9.725) and 1st on Floor (9.750) at Texas States. Her floor routine is impressive for a young junior and includes a tucked full in, 2 1/2+punch front and double pike.
Justine Callis - I really liked this elegant floor routine from this level 9 Virginia State gymnast which earnt her 2nd place (9.450). She trains at Ocean Tumblers and is 12 years old.
Simone Biles - She trains at Bannon's and is a real powerhouse winning 1st on Vault (9.725) and 1st on Floor (9.750) at Texas States. Her floor routine is impressive for a young junior and includes a tucked full in, 2 1/2+punch front and double pike.
Gymnastics Videos on Gymnastike
Alaina Johnson - She qualified to the National team but because on injuries is competing level 10 and will head to Florida next season and I hope she does well. Her form and presentation really impressed me winning 1st on Floor with a 9.900! as well as 1st on Vault (9.725) and 3rd AA (37.625).
Gymnastics Videos on Gymnastike
Megan Tripp - Another of WOGAs little stars who competed in the Junior A category of Level 9. She had a really nice presence on floor and I appreciated her effort to add artistry. She had a very successful meet placing 1st on Vault (9.525), 2nd Beam (9.550), Joint 1st on Floor (9.750) and Joint 1st AA (38.375).
Gymnastics Videos on Gymnastike
Samantha Kolbas - She placed forst on beam (9.70), 3rd on floor (9.575), 2nd on bars (9.50) and 2nd AA (38.425) at the Illinois Level 10 State Championships. She trains at Arena Gymnastics and has a full scholarshi[ to Arkansas. I liked her whole beam routine but the best part was her stuck double tuck back dismount!
Gymnastics Videos on Gymnastike
Justine Callis - I really liked this elegant floor routine from this level 9 Virginia State gymnast which earnt her 2nd place (9.450). She trains at Ocean Tumblers and is 12 years old.
Gymnastics Videos on Gymnastike
Alex McMurty - She is a Level 10 gymnast from Richmond Olympiad and won the AA in the 12 - 13 year old division with 38.125. She was really impressive on all events and I most liked her Floor in which she had some really good tumbling and won with 9.60. She was also competing in her first meet since October as she has had wrist surgery! Check it Out:
Gymnastics Videos on Gymnastike
Monday, 5 April 2010
Wild Rose Event Finals videos
Deng LinLin
Bars
Beam
Floor
Sui Lu
Beam
Floor
Jiang YuYuan
Bars
Rose Kalam Woo
Beam, very impressive for a 10/11 year old! Score 13.000 (D Score 5.2) 3rd Place
Sabrina Gill
Floor, Score 13.85 (D Score 5.2) 1st Place:
Jocelyn Hunt
Floor, I like this girl more and more I hope she gets a spot on the GB Euros team:
Bars
Beam
Floor
Sui Lu
Beam
Floor
Jiang YuYuan
Bars
Rose Kalam Woo
Beam, very impressive for a 10/11 year old! Score 13.000 (D Score 5.2) 3rd Place
Sabrina Gill
Floor, Score 13.85 (D Score 5.2) 1st Place:
Jocelyn Hunt
Floor, I like this girl more and more I hope she gets a spot on the GB Euros team:
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Jesolo Review - USA
I have been waiting for more videos to appear before I posted my thoughts on the results.
USA
Seniors
Mackenzie Caquatto: I have to say I have never been a fan of hers, I find her gymnastics boring and I don't think she has the personality or performance skills to be a top elite gymnast. Her floor was a disaster (11.650) with two falls and two OB, I read somewhere that she had an ankle injury and there certainly seemed something wrong which makes me ask why did they put her on floor? Why not save her ankle? Her beam was better (14.300) but nothing special, the only event I like her on is bars (14.350). To be honest I hope she goes to college and finishes with elite after this season, I can't see her making the Worlds team and I much prefer her sister and others.
Alexandra Raisman: She is another one who lacks personality and performance skills, but I really want to like her as her talent and skills are amazing. I was never Alicia Sacramone's biggest fan but what I did like was her personality and it needs to rub off on Raisman somehow! She performed a really good yurchenko double twist(15.150) and I want to see her with an amanar. Bars was better than I thought, she has more potential here than Alicia did and she stuck her double front dismount (13.700). Beam was good, some of the leaps were suspect but her acro skills were fine, just a hop on the dismount (14.250).
Floor (14.550):
Amanda Jetter: Excellent stuck yurchenko 1 1/2 (14.400), nice high releases (piked&straddled jaegers) and transitions on bars just a few late pirouettes (13.550), nice double front dismount. On floor she had a nice variety of tumbles (double arabian, back 2 1/2+front layout 1/1, back 1 1/2+front layout 1 1/2, dbl tuck bk), most with good landings (13.800). Although I'm not a fan of her music I like that she puts effort into the performance I just think she needs to mature a bit she still seems like a junior to me.
Kytra Hunter: Love her power and energy but hate her dance and choreography! Her floor dance is not what an elite should have and its a good job she can tumble (14.200). Her yurchenko double was a bit untidy in the air and had a big step on landing (15.00! possibly a little overscored).
Cassie Whitcomb: I really like her elegant style, her floor music is the same as Steliana Nistor's in 2008 but it is completely different in style. I enjoyed her whole performance, and although she may be weak on Vault and Beam I wouldn't mind seeing her on a World team even just for 2 pieces. She only scored 13.650 but I hope she can upgrade by the summer, Bars was better with 14.200 (no video).
Morgan Smith: She needs to work on her leaps and feet but I like her and she has some big skills. Her beam was solid (14.150) and I can see her being a good contributor to the team if she keeps being consistent. Her floor was also solid with nice high tumbles but she seems to have gone to the same choreographer as Kytra, surely someone can do better than this:
Juniors
Kyla Ross: She looks like she has grown a lot and I think it has given a much more elegant look. As everyone has already said she was well beaten by Grishina especially on bars but people should remember that this is early in the season for Kyla whereas Grishina is being peaked for Euros in a couple of weeks. She still has a couple of years before she is Senior so there's time for bars improvements. She had some different combinations in her beam routine including free walkover+flick+layout step out, tuck back+sheep jump. Unfortunately she fell on her side somi but really tried to stay on(13.450)! Regardless of the result at Jesolo I think she will be a real asset to Team USA as a senior if she can stay healthy as she has proven she can perform under pressure and I much prefer her to many of this years seniors.
Floor (14.250):
Sabrina Vega: I love her personality and gymnastics, she didnt have the best meet especially on beam (13.550, 7.550 E score) and floor she landed her 2nd pass out of bounds which cost her .5 as well as loss of difficulty, but the rest of the routine was nicely performed (13.300).
USA
Seniors
Mackenzie Caquatto: I have to say I have never been a fan of hers, I find her gymnastics boring and I don't think she has the personality or performance skills to be a top elite gymnast. Her floor was a disaster (11.650) with two falls and two OB, I read somewhere that she had an ankle injury and there certainly seemed something wrong which makes me ask why did they put her on floor? Why not save her ankle? Her beam was better (14.300) but nothing special, the only event I like her on is bars (14.350). To be honest I hope she goes to college and finishes with elite after this season, I can't see her making the Worlds team and I much prefer her sister and others.
Alexandra Raisman: She is another one who lacks personality and performance skills, but I really want to like her as her talent and skills are amazing. I was never Alicia Sacramone's biggest fan but what I did like was her personality and it needs to rub off on Raisman somehow! She performed a really good yurchenko double twist(15.150) and I want to see her with an amanar. Bars was better than I thought, she has more potential here than Alicia did and she stuck her double front dismount (13.700). Beam was good, some of the leaps were suspect but her acro skills were fine, just a hop on the dismount (14.250).
Floor (14.550):
Amanda Jetter: Excellent stuck yurchenko 1 1/2 (14.400), nice high releases (piked&straddled jaegers) and transitions on bars just a few late pirouettes (13.550), nice double front dismount. On floor she had a nice variety of tumbles (double arabian, back 2 1/2+front layout 1/1, back 1 1/2+front layout 1 1/2, dbl tuck bk), most with good landings (13.800). Although I'm not a fan of her music I like that she puts effort into the performance I just think she needs to mature a bit she still seems like a junior to me.
Kytra Hunter: Love her power and energy but hate her dance and choreography! Her floor dance is not what an elite should have and its a good job she can tumble (14.200). Her yurchenko double was a bit untidy in the air and had a big step on landing (15.00! possibly a little overscored).
Cassie Whitcomb: I really like her elegant style, her floor music is the same as Steliana Nistor's in 2008 but it is completely different in style. I enjoyed her whole performance, and although she may be weak on Vault and Beam I wouldn't mind seeing her on a World team even just for 2 pieces. She only scored 13.650 but I hope she can upgrade by the summer, Bars was better with 14.200 (no video).
Morgan Smith: She needs to work on her leaps and feet but I like her and she has some big skills. Her beam was solid (14.150) and I can see her being a good contributor to the team if she keeps being consistent. Her floor was also solid with nice high tumbles but she seems to have gone to the same choreographer as Kytra, surely someone can do better than this:
Juniors
Kyla Ross: She looks like she has grown a lot and I think it has given a much more elegant look. As everyone has already said she was well beaten by Grishina especially on bars but people should remember that this is early in the season for Kyla whereas Grishina is being peaked for Euros in a couple of weeks. She still has a couple of years before she is Senior so there's time for bars improvements. She had some different combinations in her beam routine including free walkover+flick+layout step out, tuck back+sheep jump. Unfortunately she fell on her side somi but really tried to stay on(13.450)! Regardless of the result at Jesolo I think she will be a real asset to Team USA as a senior if she can stay healthy as she has proven she can perform under pressure and I much prefer her to many of this years seniors.
Floor (14.250):
Sabrina Vega: I love her personality and gymnastics, she didnt have the best meet especially on beam (13.550, 7.550 E score) and floor she landed her 2nd pass out of bounds which cost her .5 as well as loss of difficulty, but the rest of the routine was nicely performed (13.300).
Wild Rose Invitational Event Finals
UPDATE Full results can be found here
I managed to get access to the live feed both days but Saturdays stream was impossible to use so I couldn't really see any routines, but Sunday was much better as they had a more zoomed in camera on each event. The results of the All Around were not suprising:
1. Deng LinLin 58.900
2. Jiang YuYuan 57.550
3. Sui Lu 56.350
Event Finals:
Vault
I didn't see much of this final only Charlotte Mackie who performed a Yurchenko layout 1 1/2 (nearly sat down) and a Yurchenko 1/2 on front tuck off (stuck). Score 13.225 3rd Place. Overall Charlotte didn't see in competition shape and I really hope she does well this year as I loved her as a Junior and she hasn't lived up to that potential.
Bars
Sui Lu: She's obviously not a top bar worker but she did have some interesting skills including toe on Shaposhnikova+pak salto, stoop in to handstand+piked jaeger(she stopped on something after this that I couldn't see), full in dismount. Score 13.700 3rd Place.
Deng LinLin: Her routine was good with just some small errors. She performed Inverted giant+Endo in Invert+Endo in Invert 1/2, 2 pirouttes (couldn't see what)+Straddled Jaeger, pak salto, full twisting double layout dismount (very piked down). Score 15.400 2nd Place.
Jiang YuYuan: This is definetely her best piece at the moment. Giant 1 1/2+Tkatchev, Healey 1/1+Ono+straddled Jaeger, pak salto, double layout dismount. Score 15.650 1st Place.
Beam
Jiang YuYuan: She had a complete meltdown during this routine, she seemed really unfocused from the start. It began with a fall on a front pike, flick+straight bk (not enough height hands down), front tuck (pause)+tuck back+sheep jump (fall), switch ring (wobble), 2 flicks into 2 1.2 dismount (step). Score 11.450 8th Place.
Miranda Meyer: I really like her and hope she comes back well from her injury as I think she has potential on this piece everythinbg had good form just not enough difficulty. She had a nice round off tuck bk 1/1, 2/1 spin, switch side, front tuck, back tuck and a round off 2/1 dismount. Score 12.400 4th Place.
Deng LinLin: She started off really well and was impressing me with a new 1/1 spin leg at horizontl into 1/2 spin combination, high layout 2 feet and nice front pike, until she got to her switch ring leap which looked fine but she was a little off and her foot slide down the beam. She didn't actually touch the floor though as she hung under the beam and got back up, finishing with free walkover+sheep jump, side somi, split change+ and double pike dismount (chest low). Score 14.250 2nd Place.
Sui Lu: She had a different routine to last year and showed a verry steady performance with few wobbles, perhap this routine will work better for her than the one at Worlds. Front tuck (pause)+korbut, Front tuck 1/2 (stuck), switch ring, free walkover (pause)+flick+pike back, 1/1 spin leg at horizontal, side somi, round off double pike dismount. Score 14.750 and a well deserved 1st Place.
Floor
Jiang YuYuan: She had the same music as Beijing and performed watered down tumbling so she is perhaps not at full fitness or anywhere near that yet. I missed her first tumble, 2nd was back 2 1/2 twist, triple spin (foot down), I think next it was a triple twist (not sure the stream kept cutting out) and finished with a double pike. Score 14.100 3rd Place.
Deng LinLin: She also still has her Beijing music, I'm hoping for a new routine later this year. All tumbles were performed well but almost every landing had a step which is costly with the new rules. Tumbles: tucked double arabian, tucked full in, back 1 1/2+front layout 1/1, double pike (stuck landing). She had also added a new spin which was a 2/1 leg held in splits (memmel). Score 14.700 2nd Place.
Sui Lu: She did her job with another solid routine, with nice choreography. Tumbles: whip+triple full, back 2 1/2+front layout, back 1 1/2+front layout 1/1, double pike. The best part of her routine was the spins she performed a new spin 2/1 leg held in splits (memmel) and a beautiful 2/1 with leg at horizontal. Score 15.250 1st Place.
Just a quick mention of Jocelyn Hunt (GBR) whose routine I missed on floor but she scored a credible 13.900 and a good performance in the AA this weekend which is good considering she was a last minute addition to the competition. She proved yet again to the selection committee that she can be consistent, maybe she will be a suprise European Team member?
Overall Impressions
I was pleased to see China taking this meet seriously considering there wasn't much competition and it is early in the season. Sui Lu was the most impressive to me winning her best two events, I actually like her more and more each time I watch her. I think if she continues to be consistent she will definetely be headed for another Worlds team and perhaps medals. Deng LinLin looked good overall, apart from that mistake on beam and had an excellent performance in the AA so she will surely be hoping to do better than last year at Worlds in the AA. Jiang YuYuan is the one I'm not sure about. The only event where she can contribute is Bars and as China has He Kexin and many other excellent bars workers, YuYuan is not going to be put on a Worlds team just to do bars, she did put up a good AA score but I'm sure there is a few who will be better (Tan Sixin, Huang Qiushuang as well as Deng). So where does that leave her? Will she get back to her best or will she retire?
I couldn't watch the Juniors as they were streamed on a separate video at the same time as the Seniors. I only got to see Riley Cholod on bars which she won with 13.750 and showed tkatchev, clear pike circle to handstand 1/2+Endo 1/2, overshoot 1/2 and double pike dismount. She is a real talent and also consistent coming 2nd on Beam and Floor and winning the AA on Saturday (53.400). The only video available is of Sui Lu training floor in the training session od Friday:
I managed to get access to the live feed both days but Saturdays stream was impossible to use so I couldn't really see any routines, but Sunday was much better as they had a more zoomed in camera on each event. The results of the All Around were not suprising:
1. Deng LinLin 58.900
2. Jiang YuYuan 57.550
3. Sui Lu 56.350
Event Finals:
Vault
I didn't see much of this final only Charlotte Mackie who performed a Yurchenko layout 1 1/2 (nearly sat down) and a Yurchenko 1/2 on front tuck off (stuck). Score 13.225 3rd Place. Overall Charlotte didn't see in competition shape and I really hope she does well this year as I loved her as a Junior and she hasn't lived up to that potential.
Bars
Sui Lu: She's obviously not a top bar worker but she did have some interesting skills including toe on Shaposhnikova+pak salto, stoop in to handstand+piked jaeger(she stopped on something after this that I couldn't see), full in dismount. Score 13.700 3rd Place.
Deng LinLin: Her routine was good with just some small errors. She performed Inverted giant+Endo in Invert+Endo in Invert 1/2, 2 pirouttes (couldn't see what)+Straddled Jaeger, pak salto, full twisting double layout dismount (very piked down). Score 15.400 2nd Place.
Jiang YuYuan: This is definetely her best piece at the moment. Giant 1 1/2+Tkatchev, Healey 1/1+Ono+straddled Jaeger, pak salto, double layout dismount. Score 15.650 1st Place.
Beam
Jiang YuYuan: She had a complete meltdown during this routine, she seemed really unfocused from the start. It began with a fall on a front pike, flick+straight bk (not enough height hands down), front tuck (pause)+tuck back+sheep jump (fall), switch ring (wobble), 2 flicks into 2 1.2 dismount (step). Score 11.450 8th Place.
Miranda Meyer: I really like her and hope she comes back well from her injury as I think she has potential on this piece everythinbg had good form just not enough difficulty. She had a nice round off tuck bk 1/1, 2/1 spin, switch side, front tuck, back tuck and a round off 2/1 dismount. Score 12.400 4th Place.
Deng LinLin: She started off really well and was impressing me with a new 1/1 spin leg at horizontl into 1/2 spin combination, high layout 2 feet and nice front pike, until she got to her switch ring leap which looked fine but she was a little off and her foot slide down the beam. She didn't actually touch the floor though as she hung under the beam and got back up, finishing with free walkover+sheep jump, side somi, split change+ and double pike dismount (chest low). Score 14.250 2nd Place.
Sui Lu: She had a different routine to last year and showed a verry steady performance with few wobbles, perhap this routine will work better for her than the one at Worlds. Front tuck (pause)+korbut, Front tuck 1/2 (stuck), switch ring, free walkover (pause)+flick+pike back, 1/1 spin leg at horizontal, side somi, round off double pike dismount. Score 14.750 and a well deserved 1st Place.
Floor
Jiang YuYuan: She had the same music as Beijing and performed watered down tumbling so she is perhaps not at full fitness or anywhere near that yet. I missed her first tumble, 2nd was back 2 1/2 twist, triple spin (foot down), I think next it was a triple twist (not sure the stream kept cutting out) and finished with a double pike. Score 14.100 3rd Place.
Deng LinLin: She also still has her Beijing music, I'm hoping for a new routine later this year. All tumbles were performed well but almost every landing had a step which is costly with the new rules. Tumbles: tucked double arabian, tucked full in, back 1 1/2+front layout 1/1, double pike (stuck landing). She had also added a new spin which was a 2/1 leg held in splits (memmel). Score 14.700 2nd Place.
Sui Lu: She did her job with another solid routine, with nice choreography. Tumbles: whip+triple full, back 2 1/2+front layout, back 1 1/2+front layout 1/1, double pike. The best part of her routine was the spins she performed a new spin 2/1 leg held in splits (memmel) and a beautiful 2/1 with leg at horizontal. Score 15.250 1st Place.
Just a quick mention of Jocelyn Hunt (GBR) whose routine I missed on floor but she scored a credible 13.900 and a good performance in the AA this weekend which is good considering she was a last minute addition to the competition. She proved yet again to the selection committee that she can be consistent, maybe she will be a suprise European Team member?
Overall Impressions
I was pleased to see China taking this meet seriously considering there wasn't much competition and it is early in the season. Sui Lu was the most impressive to me winning her best two events, I actually like her more and more each time I watch her. I think if she continues to be consistent she will definetely be headed for another Worlds team and perhaps medals. Deng LinLin looked good overall, apart from that mistake on beam and had an excellent performance in the AA so she will surely be hoping to do better than last year at Worlds in the AA. Jiang YuYuan is the one I'm not sure about. The only event where she can contribute is Bars and as China has He Kexin and many other excellent bars workers, YuYuan is not going to be put on a Worlds team just to do bars, she did put up a good AA score but I'm sure there is a few who will be better (Tan Sixin, Huang Qiushuang as well as Deng). So where does that leave her? Will she get back to her best or will she retire?
I couldn't watch the Juniors as they were streamed on a separate video at the same time as the Seniors. I only got to see Riley Cholod on bars which she won with 13.750 and showed tkatchev, clear pike circle to handstand 1/2+Endo 1/2, overshoot 1/2 and double pike dismount. She is a real talent and also consistent coming 2nd on Beam and Floor and winning the AA on Saturday (53.400). The only video available is of Sui Lu training floor in the training session od Friday:
Friday, 26 March 2010
Paris World Cup
UPDATE: Lauren Mitchell is out and will be replaced by Georgia Wheeler who compete all 4 events and Jenny Pinches is also out and will be replaced with Niamh Rippin competing vault, beam and floor. Other changes: Halina Ivanets and Elsa Garcia are not competing, Jiang Tong has been added to the Chinese team (vault).
This is the 10 - 11 April and it actually looks like there is going to be some competition! Some of the most notable entries are below:
Lauren Mitchell - Bars, Beam and Floor
Larissa Miller - Bars
Emily Little - Vault, Beam, Floor
Halina Ivanets - All 4 Events
Bruna Leal - All 4 Events
Dominique Pegg - All 4 Events
Brittany Rogers - All 4 Events
Wu Liufang - Bars, Beam
He Kexin - Bars, Floor
Huang Quishuang - Vault, Beam, Floor
Ana Maria Izurieta - Bars, Floor
Youna Dufournet - Vault, Bars, Beam
Marine Brevet - Floor
Pauline Morel - Bars, Beam, Floor
Becky Downie - Bars, Beam
Jenny Pinches - Vault, Beam, Floor
Beth Tweddle - Bars, Floor
Valeriya Maksiuta - Vault, Beam
Elsa Garcia - All 4 Events
Ramilya Musina - Vault, Beam, Floor
Aliya Mustafina - Vault, Bars, Beam, Floor
Adela Sajn - Beam, Floor
Luisa Galuilina - Bars, Beam, Floor
Jessica Lopez - All 4 Events
There are some interesting new Seniors competing:
Wu Liufang who won Beam and Floor at the Doha World Cup last weekend, unfortunately she is not set to compete on floor but she will still be one of the favourites:
Jenny Pinches - She is one the of the new hopes for Team GB and is coached by Amanda Kirby the same coach as Beth Tweddle. I hope she can be competitive at Worlds this year so it will be interesting to see how she does here. She has 2 good vaults as long as she hits, a nicely presented floor routine with some upgraded tumbles and big skills on beam if she puts them in.
Aliya Mustafina- She is replacing Anna Dementyeva who was supposed to compete. She is stogon all 4 events and my favourite of hers is floor:
Emily Little - She is powerful gymnast and has a big chance of making the vault final and perhaps medalling depending on what her 2nd vault is.
Apart from the new senors against the older seniors there will also be some other interesting battles including He Kexin vs Beth Tweddle who are both competing on bars and floor, as well as Larissa Miller who will be looking for medals on bars. Lauren Mitchell, Huang Qiushuang and Youna Dufournet will be fighting with new seniors for medals on beam. And finally the vault competition will have a lot of young talent including Youna Dufournet, Brittany Rogers, Dominique Pegg and Ramilya Musina.
This is the 10 - 11 April and it actually looks like there is going to be some competition! Some of the most notable entries are below:
Lauren Mitchell - Bars, Beam and Floor
Larissa Miller - Bars
Emily Little - Vault, Beam, Floor
Halina Ivanets - All 4 Events
Bruna Leal - All 4 Events
Dominique Pegg - All 4 Events
Brittany Rogers - All 4 Events
Wu Liufang - Bars, Beam
He Kexin - Bars, Floor
Huang Quishuang - Vault, Beam, Floor
Ana Maria Izurieta - Bars, Floor
Youna Dufournet - Vault, Bars, Beam
Marine Brevet - Floor
Pauline Morel - Bars, Beam, Floor
Becky Downie - Bars, Beam
Jenny Pinches - Vault, Beam, Floor
Beth Tweddle - Bars, Floor
Valeriya Maksiuta - Vault, Beam
Elsa Garcia - All 4 Events
Ramilya Musina - Vault, Beam, Floor
Aliya Mustafina - Vault, Bars, Beam, Floor
Adela Sajn - Beam, Floor
Luisa Galuilina - Bars, Beam, Floor
Jessica Lopez - All 4 Events
There are some interesting new Seniors competing:
Wu Liufang who won Beam and Floor at the Doha World Cup last weekend, unfortunately she is not set to compete on floor but she will still be one of the favourites:
Jenny Pinches - She is one the of the new hopes for Team GB and is coached by Amanda Kirby the same coach as Beth Tweddle. I hope she can be competitive at Worlds this year so it will be interesting to see how she does here. She has 2 good vaults as long as she hits, a nicely presented floor routine with some upgraded tumbles and big skills on beam if she puts them in.
Aliya Mustafina- She is replacing Anna Dementyeva who was supposed to compete. She is stogon all 4 events and my favourite of hers is floor:
Emily Little - She is powerful gymnast and has a big chance of making the vault final and perhaps medalling depending on what her 2nd vault is.
Apart from the new senors against the older seniors there will also be some other interesting battles including He Kexin vs Beth Tweddle who are both competing on bars and floor, as well as Larissa Miller who will be looking for medals on bars. Lauren Mitchell, Huang Qiushuang and Youna Dufournet will be fighting with new seniors for medals on beam. And finally the vault competition will have a lot of young talent including Youna Dufournet, Brittany Rogers, Dominique Pegg and Ramilya Musina.
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Doha Videos Day 2
A few videos of the floor final are up on youtube. I really like Wu Liufangs floor routine, her choreography and performance really suprised me. She just needs to upgrade her tumbling but she has shown she can perform under pressure winning both the Beam (14.700) and Floor (13.975) finals.
Huang Qiushuang won the silver medal on floor (13.850) but fell apart on beam scoring only a 12.600. I think she is one of those gymnasts who cannot perfrom consistently under pressure as was the case last year at Nationals which I think is why she was left off the worlds team. I hope she improves or I think she won't be given a chance at bigger meets when the Chinese have other gymnast who have proven to perform under pressure. Her floor routine was nicely performed but lacked difficulty.
Goksu Uctas from Turkey won the bronze on floor (13.700) which was the first World cup medal for a Turkish woman. She actually had the highest difficulty on floor (5.4) with a tucked full in, double pike, double tuck and 1 1/2+front layout full. I'm happy to see different nations starting to come through in the International scene as it can only improve the sport.
Huang Qiushuang won the silver medal on floor (13.850) but fell apart on beam scoring only a 12.600. I think she is one of those gymnasts who cannot perfrom consistently under pressure as was the case last year at Nationals which I think is why she was left off the worlds team. I hope she improves or I think she won't be given a chance at bigger meets when the Chinese have other gymnast who have proven to perform under pressure. Her floor routine was nicely performed but lacked difficulty.
Goksu Uctas from Turkey won the bronze on floor (13.700) which was the first World cup medal for a Turkish woman. She actually had the highest difficulty on floor (5.4) with a tucked full in, double pike, double tuck and 1 1/2+front layout full. I'm happy to see different nations starting to come through in the International scene as it can only improve the sport.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Doha Videos
There are 2 videos on Noursalehgym's youtube account of Wu Liufang and Huang Quishuang's bar routines. Both look really good and if they can perform under pressure they should take the top 2 medals in finals and hopefully move onto bigger things. They were close in qualification with Quishuang scoring 15.250 just beating Liufang with 15.025. Liufang also qualified 1st on beam (14.525) and 6th on floor (12.950). Quishuang was 1st on floor (13.575) and 4th on beam (13.325). Jennifer Khwela from South Africa qualified in 1st on vault (13.700). Overall I thought the scores on Vault and Floor were particularly low with no score over 14.00.
Wu Liufang Bars Qualification:
Huang Quishuang Bars Qualification:
Wu Liufang Bars Qualification:
Huang Quishuang Bars Qualification:
Saturday, 20 March 2010
GBR - ROM - GER Friendly
This weekend there us a friendly in the UK and today was the senior competition. They had a 5 day training camp before the competition which was used to prepare for the European Championships. Results of the Team Competition:
1. Romania 221.850
2. Great Britain 221.600
I'm glad to see the British Seniors showing their potential finally and I hope they are this close to the Romanians at Euros this year. Germany only had 3 Seniors competing as Marie-Sophie Hindermann sustained a slight injury during Fridays training. Results of the AA:
1. Diana Chelaru 56.800
2. Ana Porgras 56.050
3. Niamh Rippin 54.650
4. Raluca Haidu 54.300
5. Elisabeth Seitz 54.100
6. Amelia Racea 54.000
Beth earned the highest scores on Bars (15.700) and Floor (15.050).! Her bars was much better than at the English Championships, she hit all of her difficulty, I saw a few short handstands and pirouettes but she ended with a stuckj full in dismount. Her floor was good, she added a split jump after her double pike arabian and her leaps are definetely improved from last year.
Becky Downie competed and seems in better shape than at the english. Don't think she did all around though there are videos o her yurchenko 1 1/2 with nice form and
Jenny Pinches competed her Handspring tuck 1 1/2 on vault that she slipped on at the British Champs last year and it looked good, hopefully we will see it at Europeans. She had trouble on floor with her whip to double arabian pass which she sat down but she successfully landed her 1 1/2 to 3/1.
Ana Porgras looks ok I'm sure she will improve further before the Europeans. She is still performing a yurchenko full but it was very well done with stuck landing. She had trouble on bars where she fell on her jeager and took a big step on her double layout dsmount. On beam she perfored fre walkover+sheep jump, flick+flic+layout 2 feet, a very nice switch ring, free cartwheel, split change+tuck back, full spin in split, side somi and flicks to a double pike dismount (chest low). Overall the routine seemed easy for her and she is definetely heading for more medals on beam this year. Her floor has not been upgraded (full in, 2 1/2+front layout, dbl tuck, dbl pike) and I think lacks a little difficulty (I would like to see a triple twist) but she definetely makes up for it with her artistry!
Amelia Racea - I liked her floor lively music with a nice mix of leaps and tumbles including full in, triple twist, 2 1/2+front tuck and double pike. On beam she had a new intersting combination of free cartwheel+tuck back as well as free walkover+flick+pike back, split change+side somi and double tuck dismount. Definietely a big improvement on form for these 2 pieces.
Diana Chelaru - She looks like her form is bette nd she mus have improved as she won the AA with 56.800. Beam was solid with a tucked full, free walkover+tuck back and dbl tuck dismount. Nothing really exciting though and choreography was average.
Cerasela Patrascu competed afer being injured for 2 years,she looks like shes getting there but she still has a little way to go. Beam was good, she missed a few connections but she did have a nice yang bo and split change+side somi connection.
Raluca Haidu - I love this gymnast and hope she does wel this year. There are not many videos of her from this weekend but on beam she had some cute choreography with improved form and an excellent double pike dismount.
Niamh Rippin best of GB in the all around showed a impressive floor routine including a stuck piked double arabian, 1 1/2 to 3/1, 2 1/2+front layout and double pike. She looked really good and has a better chance than I originally thought of making the Europeans team.
I'mgoing to mention Jocelyn Hunt again, although lacking the difficulty of others her style and form is beautiful and in her floor routine she performed a stuck triple twist and full in with knees locked together just needs to upgrade the other passes.
Nicole Hibbert - She was a completely different gymnast than a coulpe of weeks ago and she has definetely upped her game and was taking it much more seriously. I have never been a fan of her floor but she now has new music and performed this with great first 2 tumbles both a piked and tucked full in. I really enjoyed her performance:
Thanks to youtube user PavLiukin for all the videos.
Sunday is the Junior competition it will be interesting to see how the British Juniors compare to the top Romanians of Larisa Iordache and Diana Bulimar.
1. Romania 221.850
2. Great Britain 221.600
I'm glad to see the British Seniors showing their potential finally and I hope they are this close to the Romanians at Euros this year. Germany only had 3 Seniors competing as Marie-Sophie Hindermann sustained a slight injury during Fridays training. Results of the AA:
1. Diana Chelaru 56.800
2. Ana Porgras 56.050
3. Niamh Rippin 54.650
4. Raluca Haidu 54.300
5. Elisabeth Seitz 54.100
6. Amelia Racea 54.000
Beth earned the highest scores on Bars (15.700) and Floor (15.050).! Her bars was much better than at the English Championships, she hit all of her difficulty, I saw a few short handstands and pirouettes but she ended with a stuckj full in dismount. Her floor was good, she added a split jump after her double pike arabian and her leaps are definetely improved from last year.
Becky Downie competed and seems in better shape than at the english. Don't think she did all around though there are videos o her yurchenko 1 1/2 with nice form and
Jenny Pinches competed her Handspring tuck 1 1/2 on vault that she slipped on at the British Champs last year and it looked good, hopefully we will see it at Europeans. She had trouble on floor with her whip to double arabian pass which she sat down but she successfully landed her 1 1/2 to 3/1.
Ana Porgras looks ok I'm sure she will improve further before the Europeans. She is still performing a yurchenko full but it was very well done with stuck landing. She had trouble on bars where she fell on her jeager and took a big step on her double layout dsmount. On beam she perfored fre walkover+sheep jump, flick+flic+layout 2 feet, a very nice switch ring, free cartwheel, split change+tuck back, full spin in split, side somi and flicks to a double pike dismount (chest low). Overall the routine seemed easy for her and she is definetely heading for more medals on beam this year. Her floor has not been upgraded (full in, 2 1/2+front layout, dbl tuck, dbl pike) and I think lacks a little difficulty (I would like to see a triple twist) but she definetely makes up for it with her artistry!
Amelia Racea - I liked her floor lively music with a nice mix of leaps and tumbles including full in, triple twist, 2 1/2+front tuck and double pike. On beam she had a new intersting combination of free cartwheel+tuck back as well as free walkover+flick+pike back, split change+side somi and double tuck dismount. Definietely a big improvement on form for these 2 pieces.
Diana Chelaru - She looks like her form is bette nd she mus have improved as she won the AA with 56.800. Beam was solid with a tucked full, free walkover+tuck back and dbl tuck dismount. Nothing really exciting though and choreography was average.
Cerasela Patrascu competed afer being injured for 2 years,she looks like shes getting there but she still has a little way to go. Beam was good, she missed a few connections but she did have a nice yang bo and split change+side somi connection.
Raluca Haidu - I love this gymnast and hope she does wel this year. There are not many videos of her from this weekend but on beam she had some cute choreography with improved form and an excellent double pike dismount.
Niamh Rippin best of GB in the all around showed a impressive floor routine including a stuck piked double arabian, 1 1/2 to 3/1, 2 1/2+front layout and double pike. She looked really good and has a better chance than I originally thought of making the Europeans team.
I'mgoing to mention Jocelyn Hunt again, although lacking the difficulty of others her style and form is beautiful and in her floor routine she performed a stuck triple twist and full in with knees locked together just needs to upgrade the other passes.
Nicole Hibbert - She was a completely different gymnast than a coulpe of weeks ago and she has definetely upped her game and was taking it much more seriously. I have never been a fan of her floor but she now has new music and performed this with great first 2 tumbles both a piked and tucked full in. I really enjoyed her performance:
Thanks to youtube user PavLiukin for all the videos.
Sunday is the Junior competition it will be interesting to see how the British Juniors compare to the top Romanians of Larisa Iordache and Diana Bulimar.
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Cottbus Finals Results
The first day of finals were today and the results are below:
Vault
1. Oksana Chusovitina 13.875
2. Kristina Vaculik 13.787
3. Renata Toth 13.625
Bars
1. Kristina Vaculik 14.050
2. Anysia Unick 13.775
3. Maria-Sophie Hindermann 13.750
Kristina Vaculik had a good day and she definetely looks like shes almost back to her best. Her bars routine included a high tkatchev, some really nice handstands and lines and finished with a stuck double front dismount. She performed 2 clean vaults (8.950 & 8.825 execution) both with 1 large step on the landing which were a Yurchenko full and a Yurchenko 1/2 on front pike off.
Marie-Sophie Hindermann had some really nice bar work with high realeases and beautiful form and would have scored a lot higher if she had not caught her pak too close to the bar.
Tatiana Solovyova could not repeat her excellent qualifying performance and had problems straight away on her first full piroutte and then had a fall on her double front dismount (12.700). I hope she can put that behind her and show what she is really capable of other wise I have a feeling that it is going to damage her European Championships hopes.
Renata Toth is a first year senior from Hungary. She performed a very nice handspring front pike 1/2 with an almost stuck landing (13.725) and yurchenko full with ok form (13.525). She also made the bars finals and performed a good routine but had problems on the double front dismount.
Oksana Chusovitina won vault with a good handspring pike front full and a fall on her tsukahara 1 1/2 because she had so much more difficulty than the rest of the competitiors. Credit to her for still being able to compete these vaults though and hope she cleans up for Euros.
Vault
1. Oksana Chusovitina 13.875
2. Kristina Vaculik 13.787
3. Renata Toth 13.625
Bars
1. Kristina Vaculik 14.050
2. Anysia Unick 13.775
3. Maria-Sophie Hindermann 13.750
Kristina Vaculik had a good day and she definetely looks like shes almost back to her best. Her bars routine included a high tkatchev, some really nice handstands and lines and finished with a stuck double front dismount. She performed 2 clean vaults (8.950 & 8.825 execution) both with 1 large step on the landing which were a Yurchenko full and a Yurchenko 1/2 on front pike off.
Marie-Sophie Hindermann had some really nice bar work with high realeases and beautiful form and would have scored a lot higher if she had not caught her pak too close to the bar.
Tatiana Solovyova could not repeat her excellent qualifying performance and had problems straight away on her first full piroutte and then had a fall on her double front dismount (12.700). I hope she can put that behind her and show what she is really capable of other wise I have a feeling that it is going to damage her European Championships hopes.
Renata Toth is a first year senior from Hungary. She performed a very nice handspring front pike 1/2 with an almost stuck landing (13.725) and yurchenko full with ok form (13.525). She also made the bars finals and performed a good routine but had problems on the double front dismount.
Oksana Chusovitina won vault with a good handspring pike front full and a fall on her tsukahara 1 1/2 because she had so much more difficulty than the rest of the competitiors. Credit to her for still being able to compete these vaults though and hope she cleans up for Euros.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Russian Junior Championships
After watching the videos user RussianCup2009 posted on Youtube, I was really impressed with the Russian Juniors. There is so much talent and depth in the Juniors that competition for Junior Europeans this year is going to be fierce!
For the team this year Viktoria Lomova is obviously a lock but the other main contenders are Anastasia Grishina, Violetta Malikova, Eleonora Goryunova, Yulia Belokobylskaya, Anastasia Sidorova, Kristina Sidorova. Other possibles are Maria Paseka and Anna Rodionova. There are only 5 spots available and at the moment everyone seems reasonably healthy and injury free!
Anastasia Grishina
I really love her gymnastcs she has such good form and presentation and I would say she is definetely going to Junior Europeans this year. On Vault she performed a new yurchenko 1.5 which was good until she fell as she was a little under rotated. Her bars has lots of pirouetting and beautiful handstands and she had also added a piked tkatchev into pak salto connection and a toe on to handstand full piroutte into afull in dismount. Beam was a little shaky with a fall on her double spin and some balance checks but everything was done really clean and she still scored 14.450 (6.2 D Score). I really like her illusion turn into full spin connection. Floor was nicely presented with some complex spins and leaps and she stuck a triple twist! (unfortunately it wont let me embed any of her routines)
Eleonora Goryunova
Another likely member of the Junior Europeans Team. She seemed a lot better than last year, her floor routine had improved presentatin and she showed a 1 1/2 step out into doubel tuck and 2 whips into a triple twist. On vault she performed an almost stuck yurchenko 1.5 which good form in the air. Her beam routine was also improved and included a round off layout 2 feet, free walkover+sheep jump and roundoff+flick+double pike dismount.
Anna Rodionova
One of the lesser known little Russians, but she has some really great skills on beam (arabian, free walkover+onodi) just needs to clean her form up but I really like her. I thought her floor routine (below) was beautiful just needs to sort the landings out!
Violetta Malikova
Another strong contender forJunior Europeans! She had a few issues on beam and bars, but overall she showed polished skills and I love how she attacks her beam routine! She also had a very nice double twisting yurchenko.
Anastasia Sidorova
She also as a good chance of making the team, and seems to have grown in height a lot since last year. Her difficulty on beam is impressive and she normally hits, unfortunately she fell this time on her layout step out connection. She is really powerful and has good vault anf floor difficulty as well.
Kristina Sidorova
She has areally nice style and I especially like her bars and floor routines. Floor has been upgraded with a full in and 2/1 front layout and all her tumbling is sky high. Bars is really clean and she has great potential.
Yulia Belokobylskaya
I really hope to see her at Junior Europeans this year she is one of my favourites. she seemed to be haveing a off day on bars and the routine was a bit of a mess with a fall on her jaeger and a near fall on her dismount. Her beam was excellent though she has great difficulty and her form has improved so much. Her floor is also one of my favourites I think the choreography is clever and she performs it well.
Ekaterina Shtronda
She is not age eligible for Junior Europeans but I just used this opportunity to post her beautiful floor again!
For the team this year Viktoria Lomova is obviously a lock but the other main contenders are Anastasia Grishina, Violetta Malikova, Eleonora Goryunova, Yulia Belokobylskaya, Anastasia Sidorova, Kristina Sidorova. Other possibles are Maria Paseka and Anna Rodionova. There are only 5 spots available and at the moment everyone seems reasonably healthy and injury free!
Anastasia Grishina
I really love her gymnastcs she has such good form and presentation and I would say she is definetely going to Junior Europeans this year. On Vault she performed a new yurchenko 1.5 which was good until she fell as she was a little under rotated. Her bars has lots of pirouetting and beautiful handstands and she had also added a piked tkatchev into pak salto connection and a toe on to handstand full piroutte into afull in dismount. Beam was a little shaky with a fall on her double spin and some balance checks but everything was done really clean and she still scored 14.450 (6.2 D Score). I really like her illusion turn into full spin connection. Floor was nicely presented with some complex spins and leaps and she stuck a triple twist! (unfortunately it wont let me embed any of her routines)
Eleonora Goryunova
Another likely member of the Junior Europeans Team. She seemed a lot better than last year, her floor routine had improved presentatin and she showed a 1 1/2 step out into doubel tuck and 2 whips into a triple twist. On vault she performed an almost stuck yurchenko 1.5 which good form in the air. Her beam routine was also improved and included a round off layout 2 feet, free walkover+sheep jump and roundoff+flick+double pike dismount.
Anna Rodionova
One of the lesser known little Russians, but she has some really great skills on beam (arabian, free walkover+onodi) just needs to clean her form up but I really like her. I thought her floor routine (below) was beautiful just needs to sort the landings out!
Violetta Malikova
Another strong contender forJunior Europeans! She had a few issues on beam and bars, but overall she showed polished skills and I love how she attacks her beam routine! She also had a very nice double twisting yurchenko.
Anastasia Sidorova
She also as a good chance of making the team, and seems to have grown in height a lot since last year. Her difficulty on beam is impressive and she normally hits, unfortunately she fell this time on her layout step out connection. She is really powerful and has good vault anf floor difficulty as well.
Kristina Sidorova
She has areally nice style and I especially like her bars and floor routines. Floor has been upgraded with a full in and 2/1 front layout and all her tumbling is sky high. Bars is really clean and she has great potential.
Yulia Belokobylskaya
I really hope to see her at Junior Europeans this year she is one of my favourites. she seemed to be haveing a off day on bars and the routine was a bit of a mess with a fall on her jaeger and a near fall on her dismount. Her beam was excellent though she has great difficulty and her form has improved so much. Her floor is also one of my favourites I think the choreography is clever and she performs it well.
Ekaterina Shtronda
She is not age eligible for Junior Europeans but I just used this opportunity to post her beautiful floor again!
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Russian Championships 2010
Everyone is posting the results so I thought I would just post some of my thoughts and routines of interest instead. All routines can be seen on RussianCup2009's Youtube channel as they can not be embedded here.
Viktoria Komova
She is definitely heading for medals at the Junior Europeans this year and her 6.5 D Score on Bars is the reason why the Romanians will have trouble beating her in the All Around because they can not come close to that. She doesn't have a weak piece and seems to have solved the consistency problems on beam. I also like her floor routine better as well now.
Tatiana Nabieva
Only her bars is posted (6.5 D Score, 15.400) but she seems to have cleaned up her form a lot since last year and hopefully this is the case on all events. Not sure if she is injured and didnt compete AA or not?
Ksenia Semonova
I'm happy to say she looks in much better shape and has recovered from her injuries from last year. i still love her floor routine, she watered down her first pass but the rest were good (14.425). Vault was a Yurchenko 1.5 which was clean enough, her Bars which I have never been a fan of was good maybe better than last year apart from the Deltchev and dismount (5.70, 14.400). Beam was very good, definitely her best event (5.6, 14.675).
Ksenia Afanasyeva
Unfortunately she does not look like she is completely back from injury yet. She had problems on bars (13.200) and her floor although it had beautiful dance the tumbling was weak and watered down (4.3, 13.125). I don't think she competed all around so lets hope thay are just saving her body and letting her heal before major competitions.
Anastasia Novikova
She is a new senior for this year and showed a nice bars routine with some good pirouttes for a 13.950 and on beam she had an interesting connection of flick into front somi off one leg.
Anna Pavlova
She looks in excellent shape and I'm impressed at how quickly she is back performing competitive routines. She competed All Around (53.800) but with some watered down dismounts. Bars looks good she obviously had time to work on them while her knee was recoverig, she is just not ready to dismount yet. Her floor was impessive she is actually back o tumbling a double pike and triple twist and beam is almost back to full difficulty. She is obviously wanting to compete Internationally if not at Europeans definitely at Worlds this year.
Anna Myzdrikova
Her floor routine (14.700) is back to what it was at Worlds and she has improved her 3rd tumbling pass that she had trouble on last year. It is interesting to compare Beth Tweddle and her on floor they both had similar scores (Beth 14.850) and apart from the landing and the dance there is not much between them. Beth has better landings and Anna is definetley better at the artistic part and the choreography. I have always preferred Anna's but am British so will always support Beth!
Ekaterina Kramarenko
She is making a comeback and it seems like she is doing well as she came 4th in the AA with 55.250. There are 2 videos available: her bars and were really clean routine with some nice transitions (5.7, 14.500) and beam was really nice until she fell on her double tuck back dismount where she overrated onto her back (5.3, 13.650).
Viktoria Komova
She is definitely heading for medals at the Junior Europeans this year and her 6.5 D Score on Bars is the reason why the Romanians will have trouble beating her in the All Around because they can not come close to that. She doesn't have a weak piece and seems to have solved the consistency problems on beam. I also like her floor routine better as well now.
Tatiana Nabieva
Only her bars is posted (6.5 D Score, 15.400) but she seems to have cleaned up her form a lot since last year and hopefully this is the case on all events. Not sure if she is injured and didnt compete AA or not?
Ksenia Semonova
I'm happy to say she looks in much better shape and has recovered from her injuries from last year. i still love her floor routine, she watered down her first pass but the rest were good (14.425). Vault was a Yurchenko 1.5 which was clean enough, her Bars which I have never been a fan of was good maybe better than last year apart from the Deltchev and dismount (5.70, 14.400). Beam was very good, definitely her best event (5.6, 14.675).
Ksenia Afanasyeva
Unfortunately she does not look like she is completely back from injury yet. She had problems on bars (13.200) and her floor although it had beautiful dance the tumbling was weak and watered down (4.3, 13.125). I don't think she competed all around so lets hope thay are just saving her body and letting her heal before major competitions.
Anastasia Novikova
She is a new senior for this year and showed a nice bars routine with some good pirouttes for a 13.950 and on beam she had an interesting connection of flick into front somi off one leg.
Anna Pavlova
She looks in excellent shape and I'm impressed at how quickly she is back performing competitive routines. She competed All Around (53.800) but with some watered down dismounts. Bars looks good she obviously had time to work on them while her knee was recoverig, she is just not ready to dismount yet. Her floor was impessive she is actually back o tumbling a double pike and triple twist and beam is almost back to full difficulty. She is obviously wanting to compete Internationally if not at Europeans definitely at Worlds this year.
Anna Myzdrikova
Her floor routine (14.700) is back to what it was at Worlds and she has improved her 3rd tumbling pass that she had trouble on last year. It is interesting to compare Beth Tweddle and her on floor they both had similar scores (Beth 14.850) and apart from the landing and the dance there is not much between them. Beth has better landings and Anna is definetley better at the artistic part and the choreography. I have always preferred Anna's but am British so will always support Beth!
Ekaterina Kramarenko
She is making a comeback and it seems like she is doing well as she came 4th in the AA with 55.250. There are 2 videos available: her bars and were really clean routine with some nice transitions (5.7, 14.500) and beam was really nice until she fell on her double tuck back dismount where she overrated onto her back (5.3, 13.650).
International Gymnix - Junior Cup Review
This competition was interesting and I was impressed with the Canadians their gymnasts have improved a lot. The results of the Junior Cup team competition were:
1. Russia 208.825
2. Canada 1 206.300
3. Canada 2 203.075
4. Canada 3 193.700
5. Romania 161.100
AA Results:
1. Madeline Gardiner 54.225
2. Riley Cholod 54.050
3. Mariya Karpova 53.725
The Romanians were disappointing overall, Larisa Iordache appeared to be injured and watered down her floor and beam routines. She didnt seem like herself at all having a falls on beam and floor in the team competition. But she came back in Event Finals to get 2nd place on beam (14.025) which can be seen here. All I can say is I hope she recovers in time for Europeans so she can do herself justice. Diana Bulimar had an ok competition and the highlight for me was her gold medal winning floor routine from event finals (13.800) I just love that she seems to enjoy performing and hope she does well at Europeans.
I was impressed with the young inexperienced Russian Team during the team competition, unfortunately they seemed to fall apart during the event finals. I posted a few of my favourite routines below:
Ekaterina Shtronda - She has a new floor routine which I like because she is so elegant and has really solid landings, just needs to upgrade the tumbling. Below is her floor from the Team cup (13.525):
Ekaterina Baturina - Below is her beam routine which was really amazing she hit everything and finished it off with a stuck dismout to score 13.775. Unfortunatley she must have had some major problems during event finals as she only scored 11.350 and is going to have to improve her consistency in the next couple of years.
Riley Cholod - She really impressed me with her consistency, she placed 2nd AA (54.050), 4th beam (13.500), 5th floor (12.925) and won bars in event finals (13.250) and she actually scored better than that during the team competition (13.675). She has real potential on bars just has some minor form errors.
Jordyn Pedersen - She has some impressive tumbling for a 13 year old especially her first pass which is front layout into double front!. Her form and presentation need to be improved but she definetely has some talent.
1. Russia 208.825
2. Canada 1 206.300
3. Canada 2 203.075
4. Canada 3 193.700
5. Romania 161.100
AA Results:
1. Madeline Gardiner 54.225
2. Riley Cholod 54.050
3. Mariya Karpova 53.725
The Romanians were disappointing overall, Larisa Iordache appeared to be injured and watered down her floor and beam routines. She didnt seem like herself at all having a falls on beam and floor in the team competition. But she came back in Event Finals to get 2nd place on beam (14.025) which can be seen here. All I can say is I hope she recovers in time for Europeans so she can do herself justice. Diana Bulimar had an ok competition and the highlight for me was her gold medal winning floor routine from event finals (13.800) I just love that she seems to enjoy performing and hope she does well at Europeans.
I was impressed with the young inexperienced Russian Team during the team competition, unfortunately they seemed to fall apart during the event finals. I posted a few of my favourite routines below:
Ekaterina Shtronda - She has a new floor routine which I like because she is so elegant and has really solid landings, just needs to upgrade the tumbling. Below is her floor from the Team cup (13.525):
Ekaterina Baturina - Below is her beam routine which was really amazing she hit everything and finished it off with a stuck dismout to score 13.775. Unfortunatley she must have had some major problems during event finals as she only scored 11.350 and is going to have to improve her consistency in the next couple of years.
Riley Cholod - She really impressed me with her consistency, she placed 2nd AA (54.050), 4th beam (13.500), 5th floor (12.925) and won bars in event finals (13.250) and she actually scored better than that during the team competition (13.675). She has real potential on bars just has some minor form errors.
Jordyn Pedersen - She has some impressive tumbling for a 13 year old especially her first pass which is front layout into double front!. Her form and presentation need to be improved but she definetely has some talent.
English Championships Videos
Some of the routines are now available to watch here on BGtv. After watching all the routines of the senior girls I've got to say I'm not impressed at all. The only gymnast who showed any routines that are going to be competitve at Europeans was Beth who I have already talked about in my earlier post. I know it is still earlier in the season but still accounting for that I was disappointed especially with a lot of the gymnasts attitudes and focus. Becky Downie for example who was obviously not in shape which is fine but she fell on her beam mount which was a straddle press to handstand! Nicole Hibbert performed a good bars routine until her double front dismount where she fell and got up and was smiling and laughing like it didn't matter and I think that sort of thing is why Great Britain is that successful as a whole in gymnastics. Our gymnasts don't want to win enough and are not made to fight for their position on the National Team like they are in the US because of our lack of depth which has caused GB gymnasts to be lazy annd have bad attitudes.
Anyway moving on! The only other gymnast (apart from Beth) who I think has potential to be competitive at Worlds and Europeans if she hits is Jenny Pinches. Unfortunately this weekend she wasn't at her best but overall I think Amanda Kirby has done a good job with her. On floor she has upgraded and performed a whip connected to a double arabian and also had a full in as her 3rd pass and I know she is capable of more difficulty. She had also upgraded beam to add 2 flicks into a straight back which she had trouble with but she still scored 13.500 with a fall. What I liked most was her presentation and attitude and I wish her success at the Europeans.
Another few things to take note of were Danusia's beam routine which had nice presentation but just not the difficulty. Niamh Rippin seemed well prepared and had nice form throughout but again lacks difficulty and the same comment also to Jocelyn Hunt who has a lovely style.
Anyway moving on! The only other gymnast (apart from Beth) who I think has potential to be competitive at Worlds and Europeans if she hits is Jenny Pinches. Unfortunately this weekend she wasn't at her best but overall I think Amanda Kirby has done a good job with her. On floor she has upgraded and performed a whip connected to a double arabian and also had a full in as her 3rd pass and I know she is capable of more difficulty. She had also upgraded beam to add 2 flicks into a straight back which she had trouble with but she still scored 13.500 with a fall. What I liked most was her presentation and attitude and I wish her success at the Europeans.
Another few things to take note of were Danusia's beam routine which had nice presentation but just not the difficulty. Niamh Rippin seemed well prepared and had nice form throughout but again lacks difficulty and the same comment also to Jocelyn Hunt who has a lovely style.
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