It’s the first World Championships of a new 4yr cycle. There will be some surprises.
But Andy Thornton calls it this way:
… can Sloan and Bross contend for an all-around medal? I think they absolutely can. In fact, I see six gymnasts in serious contention for the all-around medals, given they remain on their respective teams’ rosters:
Ksenia Semenova (RUS)
Ksenia Afanasyeva (RUS)
Yang Yilin (CHN)
Deng Linlin (CHN)
Bridget Sloan (USA)
Rebecca Bross (USA)I honestly don’t see anyone else challenging for a medal, although some other contenders to keep an eye on would be Rebecca Downie of Great Britain, Anamaria Tamirjan of Romania, Koko Tsurumi of Japan, Elsa Garcia of Mexico, and Youna Dufournet of France. But these are certainly outside shots. …
read his detailed assessment – American Gymnast – Andy’s Angle – Thoughts on the U.S. women’s world team that was announced today…
Gymnastics Examiner has a (tentative) list of competitors for World’s in London.
Leave a comment if you see anyone else in the hunt for an All-around medal.
3 comments ↓
I don't see Semyonova as an AA threat, really.
her VT is weak, her UB is sloppy, her FX is weak and sloppy. The only place she doesn't have a boatload of deductions is on BB. She'll have to take advantage of other gymnasts' mistakes. But, of course, there will be some.
I think Semyonova could challenge for an AA medal, although probably not gold. She has the reputation and experience several of the contenders lack and it appears the judges overlook many of her form issues (e.g. bent arms on bars). Afanasyeva is a far better gymnast and could challenge for the gold but that is only if she hits, something she does not do often. Similarly Rebecca Bross can easily challenge for the gold but only if she improves her consistency from US Nationals. Yang Yilin in top form would undoubtedly be a favourite for the title if she was in the shape she was in Beijing but her training has been hampered by the injury which sidelined for most of the year. Deng Linlin is quite consistent but relatively weak on uneven bars (especially for a Chinese gymnast). Bridget Sloan is normally very consistent, as is Semyonova. I actually think the AA is wide open.
[...] that Andrew Thornton named 6 gymnasts the main contenders for AA medals at the upcoming World [...]
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