More on the Women’s Preliminary competition at Artistic Gymnastics World Championships:
China, which is also trying out some new gymnasts this year, figures to be America’s biggest challenger in the finals. Russia and Romania should also be there.
The Romanians were in third place in qualifying after a nice night of gymnastics Saturday highlighted by the comeback of their star, Catalina Ponor.
The Russians, meanwhile, gave the world its first glimpse of national champion Ksenia Semenova. The 14-year-old scored a 16.325 on uneven bars – tied for the best score of the meet – to leave Russia in fourth.
It looked like a good enough day for the rebuilding Russian squad, one not quite deserving of the dressing down the gymnasts received from coach Andrei Rodionenko in the hall behind the competition area moments after they finished.
“Completely everything,” Rodionenko said when asked what he didn’t like about the day. “They just did not do their program. I will analyze and I will make a decision.”
The Americans got a much different reception from national team coordinator Martha Karolyi.
Never one to hold back on her displeasure, she spent much of this night clapping with her hands above her head, shouting out words of encouragement from the stands.
The Americans opened on beam, normally the toughest apparatus on the floor, and after all five gymnasts made it through their routines without anyone falling off, Karolyi ran to the railing to show how excited she was.
“I’m just happy with the general atmosphere right now,” she said. “It’s a happy group of young ladies who are all trying to do their best.”
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