Going into this I did not expect much drama from the women’s team final at the 2018 Worlds. USA’s top position could not be challenged (and it was not) while Russia and China seemed pretty comfortably ahead of the rest of the field battling for silver. And while the final results also reflect this, it was actually an incredibly disputed final, with 6 teams looking like they had a shot at the bronze medal until the final rotation.
The US team started strong on vault with three amazing vaults: DTYs from Hurd and McCallum and a massive Cheng from Simone for a total of 44.66 already ahead of 2nd place China by more than two points.
For China the first rotation was also one of their best with amazing bars routines form Luo Huan (14.466) and Chen Yile (14.100) while Tingting had a hesitation but she was still rewarded with a 13.400.
Russia was third after the first rotation- beautiful FTY from Alekseeva 13.600, a good DTY from Melnikova 14.300 while Akhaimova crashed her Rudi and only got a 13.233.
Standings after the first rotation:
<td width="64">
NF
</td>
<td width="64">
Vault
</td>
<td width="64">
Uneven Bars
</td>
<td width="64">
Balance Beam
</td>
<td width="64">
Floor
</td>
<td width="64">
Total
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
<table>
<tr>
<td width="64">
USA
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
44.666
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
44.666
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
CHN
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
41.966
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
41.966
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
RUS
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
41.133
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
41.133
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
CAN
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
39.498
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
39.498
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
JPN
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
39.165
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
39.165
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
GER
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
38.399
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
38.399
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
BRA
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
38.366
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
38.366
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
FRA
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
38.065
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
38.065
</td>
Rotation 2
Russia nailed on bars and got a total of 42.666: Melnikova had a nice routine, then had a hesitation on the final full turn and muscled through the dismount but got a well deserved 14.166; Alekseeva was also very good 14.0/5.9; while Mustafina was almost perfect, with a stuck dismount for a 14.5/5.8
Canada competed on beam where Shallon Olsen had a solid routine but with many execution deductions 12.333; Black was all attack and got a 13.633, while Padurariu fell and received a 12.933.
Brazil had some awesome tumbling on floor with Thais Fidelis (13.233); Jade Barbosa was very clean as well full in, 2 1/2 to front full, 13.1/5.3; while Flavia Saraiva had one of the best routines of the day (13.800)- Judging on floor seemed a bit more harsh than in qualifications.
On bars USA got the highest total of all the teams competing in today’s final with 43.799. Morgan received a 14.433/6.1 for a clean routine (one short handstand, one step on dismount); Riley got a little bit of redemption after the disappointment of qualifications 14.5/5.9, Simone also had a huge routine ( hop on double double dismount) 14.866/6.2.
Japan competed well on floor where they got a total of 39.932. Teramoto had a routine with an awesome triple full, triple turn, 2 1/2, double pike dismount 13.333/5.3; Murakami also did amazing throwing her usual difficulty double double double layout, great landings, double pike with hop, 13.766 /5.6
China had a tough time on beam, scoring a total of 38.999. Chenk Yile fell on side aerial, ( round-ff layout, switch leap to ring jump, ring leap, triple full dismount 12.833); Zhang Jin also had big issues getting a 12.400/5.4; Tingting stayed on but still far from her true potential with 13.766.
France was on vault where Vanhille and Boyer did clean Yurchenko fulls, while Melanie had a very good DTY, with a hop back 14.633/5.4
Standings after two rotations:
<td width="64">
NF
</td>
<td width="64">
Vault
</td>
<td width="64">
Uneven Bars
</td>
<td width="64">
Balance Beam
</td>
<td width="64">
Floor
</td>
<td width="64">
Total
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
<table>
<tr>
<td width="64">
USA
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
44.666
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
43.799
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
88.465
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
RUS
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
41.133
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
42.666
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
83.799
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
CHN
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
41.966
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
38.999
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
80.965
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
FRA
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
41.866
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
38.065
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
79.931
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
GER
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
40.765
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
38.399
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
79.164
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
JPN
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
39.165
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
39.932
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
79.097
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
BRA
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
38.366
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
40.133
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
78.499
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
CAN
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
39.498
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
38.899
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
78.397
</td>
Rotation 3
China was on floor, showing some clean work and a high score of 13.333 from Zhang Jin. Luo Huan was lovely with her double back tuck, punch front to double full, double pike, 12.866/4.8, while Chen Yile was also secure getting a 12.900/4.9.
Brazil was on vault showing impressive quality with a total of 43.666 (3rd on the event on the day): three DTYs rewarded with 14.433 for Saraiva, 14.633 for Andrade and Barbosa received a 14.600.
For Japan, Murakami did a nice DTY getting a 14.600 while Hitomi Hakeda was rewarded with 14.033 for her Yurchenko 1 1/2.
For US on beam Riley continued her good day with 13.7333/5.3, Kara Eaker was the picture of poise with a 14.33/6.3. Simone grabbed the beam on a punch front reminding us she is human after all. She still received a 13.766 for her routine.
France had the great bars that eluded them in qualifications: Charpy had a very clean routine finishing with a DLO (almost stumbled out of it) 13.366/5.4 , Bossu was very clean and received a 14.033/5.8 for her very clean routine, Melanie de Jesus dos Santos finally managed to pull off a good bars set and received a 14.066.
The Canadians hit their floor routines for a total of 39.465: Olsen got a 12.966/5.2, Black had a 13.266/5.0 and Moors went 13.233/5.2
Russia went fall -free on beam: Alekseeva had the meet of her life with 13.500/5.6, Mustafina was absolutely on with a 13.266/5.3 while Simakova received a 13.166/5.3.
Germany showed their strength on bars with the third total score on the event 42.232: Scheder got 13.766, Seitz a 14.333 while Kim Bui also broke the 14s.
<td width="64">
NF
</td>
<td width="64">
Vault
</td>
<td width="64">
Uneven Bars
</td>
<td width="64">
Balance Beam
</td>
<td width="64">
Floor
</td>
<td width="64">
Total
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
<table>
<tr>
<td width="64">
USA
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
44.666
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
43.799
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
41.799
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
130.264
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
RUS
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
41.133
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
42.666
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
39.932
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
123.731
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
BRA
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
43.666
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
38.366
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
40.133
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
122.165
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
FRA
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
41.866
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
41.465
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
38.065
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
121.396
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
GER
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
40.765
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
42.232
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
38.399
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
121.396
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
JPN
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
41.333
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
39.165
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
39.932
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
120.43
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
CHN
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
41.966
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
38.999
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
39.099
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
120.064
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
CAN
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
39.498
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
38.899
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
39.465
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
117.862
</td>
Rotation 4:
Germany finished on beam with an amazing routine from Sara Voss 13.6/5.5. Unfortunately Leah Griesser and Sophoe Scheder had mistakes and received scores in the 12s.
Brazil had a terrible time on bars: Barbosa almost peeled off and had a few extra swings on the low bar to be able to continue (12.233), Saraiva hit but with her usual execution issues (12.466) while Andrade fell (12.966).
Japan finished on bars with a total of 39.832: Teramoto had mistakes (12.833), Murakami got a 13.133, while Hitomi Hatakeda got a 13.866 for her difficult routine.
France needed to be perfect on beam in order to have a shot at bronze; unfortunately it did not happen. Charpy had a steady routine with 13.366; 2nd up Melanie de Jesus dos Santos unfortunately fell and received a 12.566/5.7; Marine Boyer had a good routine and was rewarded with a 13.966/5.9.
Canada finished on vault with a total of 43.782 (2nd on the event, on the day, behind the US): Marois hit her DTY for 14.416, Black received a 14.566; Olsen did Yurchenko half on 1 1/2 off landing a little low but still enough for a score of 14.80.
China finished with a surprisingly great vault rotation: FTY from Huan for 13.533; Zhang got a 14.433 for her Tsuk double; Liu Jinru received a 14.366 for hers. China finished 3rd with 162.396.
Russia was on floor starting with a with beautiful routine from Mustafina (with stuck full in, 1/1 2 to front full, Memmel, double back tuck – 13.066). Lilia Akhaimova got 13.100/5.7; Melnikova landed OOB on one of her passes but otherwise did enough 12.966/5.9. Russia finished 2nd with 162.863.
USA had a fantastic floor rotation; there were some small things (Morgan went oob, as did Simone), but it was otherwise the great floor work we have come to expect from them, for a total of 41.365: Morgan received 12.966, Grace had a 13.633, while Simone got a 14.766. US finished 1st with 171.629.
<td width="64">
NF
</td>
<td width="64">
Vault
</td>
<td width="64">
Uneven Bars
</td>
<td width="64">
Balance Beam
</td>
<td width="64">
Floor
</td>
<td width="64">
Total
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
<table>
<tr>
<td width="64">
USA
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
44.666
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
43.799
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
41.799
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
41.365
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
171.629
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
RUS
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
41.133
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
42.666
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
39.932
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
39.132
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
162.863
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
CHN
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
42.332
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
41.966
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
38.999
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
39.099
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
162.396
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
CAN
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
43.782
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
39.498
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
38.899
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
39.465
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
161.644
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
FRA
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
41.866
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
41.465
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
39.898
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
38.065
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
161.294
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
JPN
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
41.333
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
39.832
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
39.165
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
39.932
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
160.262
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
BRA
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
43.666
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
37.665
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
38.366
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
40.133
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
159.83
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="NF">
GER
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Vault">
40.765
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Uneven">
42.232
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Balance">
38.032
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Floor">
38.399
</td>
<td width="64" data-label="Total">
159.428
</td>
Article: Bea Gheorghisor
Photo Cover: USA Gymnastics