It’s been an extremely busy in Toronto, with the artistic gymnastics events taking place in consecutive days. It must have been a grueling schedule for the gymnasts. The first day of event finals took place on Tuesday, and here are a few words about the medalists on each event:
The vault title went to the Cuban Marcia Videaux Jimenez, after scores in the 14s for her two successful vaults – double twisting Tsukahara in which she develops great power but had a slightly uncontrolled landing with a large step/ bounce; and a Rudi as a second vault – good flight and distance, but low chest on landing (or so I thought). [watch Marcia’s vaults here]
Yamilet Pena Abreu placed 2nd after one of her less fortunate Produnova attempts (her feet must have touched the mat first, I didn’t really see it, however) and a well executed Yurchenko 1 1/2. It’s heartbreaking to watch this situation. On one hand the gymnast is celebrating her ‘success’ and continues to deny the risk and implications of her actions. On the other hand everyone else knows that it is not right to allow this strategy (of bad Produnovas that could potentially score well if the feet touch the ground first) to be used any more. [Yamilet’s vaults]
Ellie Black placed third after a Tsukahara 1 1/2 low on landing, step back so as not to sit the vault, followed by a handspring layout full, a bit better with just a hop forward. [Ellie’s vaults]
In the uneven bars final Rachel Gowey and Jessica Lopez went head to head in difficulty, with the American managing to obtain a slight edge on execution: 14.725/6.3 for Gowey (Weiler half, inbar full, Komova II, Tkachev, Pak, van Leeuwen, double layout) while Lopez received a 14.700/6.3 (Maloney, Jaeger, Tkatchev to Gienger, double front dismount ).
It was a happy day for both of them: Gowey thus re-announces herself as one to watch for the upcoming US internal competition season and banked some extra credit and important international experience to recommend her for the ‘main’ team. Lopez (like Gowey) competed on only two events in Toronto and a heavily taped knee and watered down dismount on beam indicated that she is still recovering from a recent leg injury so she will be thrilled with a medal here. [watch on youtube: Gowey’s routine, Lopez’s routine]
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We should still note that, to an amateur eye, the two top scoring routines were deducted perhaps not thoroughly enough for the small but numerous execution errors: slightly short handstands and flexed feet for Rachel, bent arms and messy legs for Jessica, but the overall placement was deserved.
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Among the medalists, 3rd place Amelia Hundley (14.600/6.1) also had the cleanest routine, although slightly less ambitious in terms of difficulty (Tkachev – Pak, van Leeuwen, full in dismount) – with just a couple of bent arms here and there and a small hop on the landing. [<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhYuWEY0ehY">Hundley’s routine</a>]
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Vault results:
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1 VIDEAUX JIMENEZ
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1 6.000 8.575 14.575 14.737<br /> 2 6.200 8.700 14.900<br /> 2 PEÑA ABREU Yamilet<br /> 1 7.000 7.600 0.100 14.500 14.250<br /> 2 5.300 8.700 14.000<br /> 3 BLACK Ellie<br /> 1 5.500 8.425 13.925 14.087<br /> 2 5.500 8.750 14.250<br /> 4 MATIAS HYPOLITO ..<br /> 1 5.300 8.675 13.975 14.062<br /> 2 5.200 8.950 14.150<br /> 4 CHANT Maegan<br /> 1 5.200 9.125 14.325 14.062<br /> 2 5.000 8.800 13.800<br /> 6 SANTI Franchesca<br /> 1 5.800 8.700 14.500 13.962<br /> 2 5.000 8.525 0.100 13.425<br /> 7 PINTO Makarena<br /> 1 5.300 8.575 13.875 13.912<br /> 2 5.200 8.750 13.950<br /> 8 MEJIAS Paula<br /> 1 0.000 0.000 0.000 6.112<br /> 2 4.200 8.325 0.300 12.225
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Uneven bars results:
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1 GOWEY Rachel 6.300 8.425 14.725<br /> 2 LOPEZ AROCHA Jessica 6.300 8.400 14.700<br /> 3 HUNDLEY Amelia 6.100 8.550 14.650<br /> 4 GARCIA RODRIGUEZ Elsa 6.100 7.850 13.950<br /> 5 GOMEZ PORRAS Ana 5.900 8.000 13.900<br /> 6 SANDOVAL Ahtziri 5.800 7.975 13.775<br /> 7 COPIAK Madison 5.500 8.100 13.600<br /> 8 ONYSHKO Isabela 6.100 7.225 13.325
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<strong>Article: Bea Gheorghsor</strong>
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<strong>Photo: Grace Chiu via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USAGymnastics/photos/ms.c.eJxlkMkNBDEMwzoaxIcip~;~;GZvc1APMlJFpwrFCq7amyY88TH~_lIkBoSNcle9Ogw4yszh~_QUWm1m2tzT5as1bF1mrUBGwVsKmpX8jzJJSvT8JpLsf~_sF~_9VQKA~-~-.bps.a.10152547783327168.1073742013.27029627167/10152547785212168/?type=1&theater">USA Gymnastics</a></strong>
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