Balance Beam:
It was one of the most packed beam finals in recent memory, with 5 out of the 8 beam finalists presenting a difficulty of 6.2 or more in qualifications. But despite the huge competition, things did not go down too well for most of the competitors, as there were many errors, missed connections and falls.
But the two gymnasts that went to compete for the gold and silver medals respectively, Simone Biles and Bai Yawen had deserving routines. Simone edged Yawen by .067, due to higher difficulty (6.4 compared to 6.2). Her routine, which includes adifficult 2 ½ wolf turn, a flic to two layout stepouts series and probably the highest, best executed full in dismount, was overall very confident.
Yawen was in her turn exquisite, especially in jumps and leaps – throwing a superb Yang Bo.
The other favorites of the final all had errors: Mustafina failed to connect her acro elements, thus not meeting one of the .5 requirements for her D score, Larisa Iordache fell on the opening tumbling (full back tuck), Yao Jinnan fell on a layout to two feet. Eventually Mustafina prevailed taking the bronze medal (despite the 5.5 D score). “I knew my beam routine was not the most difficult one and I had no expectations to make it to the podium today. It was sheer luck.” Aliya said after the competition.
1 BILES Simone USA 6.400 8.700 15.100 2 BAI Yawen CHN 6.200 8.833 15.033 3 MUSTAFINA Aliya RUS 5.500 8.666 14.166 4 TERAMOTO Asuka JPN 5.600 8.500 14.100 5 IORDACHE Larisa Andreea ROU 6.200 7.866 14.066 6 ROSS Kyla USA 5.600 8.266 13.866 7 BLACK Elsabeth CAN 6.300 7.400 13.700 8 YAO Jinnan CHN 5.700 7.666 13.366
Floor:
The last event final was much more disputed than the beam one, with five women battling for the three medals.
Simone repeated her excellent floor routine for the last time at the 2014 Worlds, managing to win another gold medal (her 4th in Nanning). Her unique tumbling, which includes a double double, a double layout ½ (the Biles), double layout and full in as a final pass, was executed with maximum of amplitude once again.
Larisa Iordache shook off the upset of the previous final and hit her entertaining floor routine. She was successful in combining difficult tumbling ( Silivas, full in tuck, triple turn, triple twist, Memmel, Full in pike) with energetic dance and expressive interpretation.
The bronze medal was decided between MyKayla Skinner, Aliya Mustafina and Vanessa Ferrarri who all scored within 0.67 of each other. Mustafina managed to make her way onto the podium, 0.33 ahead of 4th place MyKayla Skinner. There were tears and there are going to be plenty of debates but to me it was the right call. The Russian has a unique routine, with smart composition playing to her strengths. This should be an example and encouragement for others to dare and emulate this approach where necessary.
Aliya has worked really hard lately to add difficulty to her routine, especially through more difficult spins (a Gomez next to the Memmel and a triple Y turn). But today she upped her D score even more by adding to her tumbling, opening with a whip-whip – double Arabian. The choreography and dance are very polished and carefully constructed and executed, making for a deserving routine.
1 BILES Simone USA 6.400 8.933 15.333 1 3 2 IORDACHE Larisa Andreea ROU 6.300 8.500 14.800 2 2 3 MUSTAFINA Aliya RUS 6.200 8.533 14.733 5 8 4 SKINNER Mykayla USA 6.500 8.200 14.700 3 5 5 FERRARI Vanessa ITA 6.300 8.366 14.666 4 4 6 MILLER Larrissa AUS 5.800 8.433 14.233 8 6 7 FASANA Erika ITA 5.700 8.200 13.900 7 7 8 FRAGAPANE Claudia GBR 6.000 7.400 0.3 13.100 6 1
Article by Bea Gheorghisor
Photo cover: Nadia Boyce