I don’t always agree with Paul Ziert of International Gymnast. But I have to admit his Daily “Top 10” list from Stuttgart has been excellent, so far.
Here’s a sample, noting Paul’s 10 biggest impressions of the past 24 hours:
Tuesday, September 4
10. The Canadian team managed a top-12 finish without their two biggest names: Olympic champion Kyle Shewfelt (both knees broken last Monday in training) and Adam Wong (torn Achilles this past spring). It was hard to see Shewfelt faithfully follow the team around the arena in his wheelchair, with both his legs sticking straight out and in restraining bandages. This team had very smartly choreographed routines that made good use of the Code and their excellent execution. Casey Sandy, the original alternate, not only stepped in and did his job for the team but also qualified for the all-around final. Who knew Canada had such depth?
9. Congratulations to Slovenia’s Mitja Petkovsek (third qualifier on parallel bars) and Aljaz Pegan (second qualifier on high bar) who continue to motivate themselves to excel without a team to surround them. They are the crème de la crème of their events, and they have learned to perform consistently so that they can keep bringing home medals for their country. Slovenia didn’t qualify any gymnasts to the Olympics via the team competition, so for both these guys to go to Beijing, each will have to win an apparatus gold medal on Sunday.
8. North Korean Ri Jong Song on floor exercise performed the most insanely difficult routine of these entire championships with count them, SIX TUMBLING PASSES: triple-twisting double tuck; layout double-double; the requisite “Magic Pass” (1 and 1/2, front full, Rudi); layout Thomas; a whip 1 1/2, front layout, barani; tucked double-double dismount. He faced passes 5 and 6 and ended up with a headache and a score of 14.075 (A-Panel: 6.8) for 128th place. Can you imagine! This is the same guy who actually hit a routine similar to this at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and yet still didn’t make finals. I will still never forgive Hardy Fink (the head floor judge in Athens) who didn’t step in to make sure Ri got the score his routine merited. Trying to do even more here, it looks like Ri overestimated himself in a desperate attempt to be properly estimated.
7. 19-year-old Fabian Hambüchen is so good for our sport. He’s talented, well coached, comfortable in his own skin and looks like he loves what he’s doing. Most of his routines are magical, especially in the way he presents them. He is always a crowd favorite wherever he competes, but here in Germany he has reached rock star status!
6. The Romanian team did a wonderful job considering that they lost two gymnasts, notably their superstar Marion Dragulescu just before the competition started. Their vaulting without Marian was still the best of all the teams. We would all like to know how they develop that kind of explosive power!
5. I felt so sorry for the Ukrainian team. This group is a very talented one that just couldn’t do enough to make it to Beijing. I personally feel that the Ukrainians, competing without some of their best guys, were asked to do too much. Instead of concentrating on the goal of qualifying to the Olympics, they seem to be performing routines that might have been ready for the Olympics. These guys are talented, explosive and technically sound, but it seems they have no confidence that they can make their routines. The worst part is, I’m not sure that this country will continue to support a team that appears to be dropping out of sight.
4. The Spanish team was the biggest surprise for me. I have watched most of these guys over the past several years and they have many times not performed up to their abilities and/or expectations. Also stuck competing against the German crowd, they were obviously determined to get Spain to Beijing and did exactly what was needed to get the tickets booked. The wild man, Gervasio Deferr, dug deep and really extended himself by competing in four events here to help the cause.
3. The unlucky South Korean team drew the final qualifying session, normally a great round but in this case, one that had them competing against the German team AND the German audience. For a culture that is so quietly respectful of others, this must have been a very difficult environment for the Koreans. We even noticed that some of team members used cotton or ear plugs to help mute the noise. Nevertheless they held it together and qualified for Beijing and the team finals here. Maybe their experience tonight will help them in the finals. (And let’s see if any of the other teams borrow their idea and show up for team finals with ear plugs!)
2. The German team was lucky to draw the final qualifying session, and used that luck to perform very well, landing just ahead of the USA in 3rd place. With three up and all scores counting, plus a very loud and partial audience, they might get lucky yet again and walk away with a medal. They are a fun group of young men to watch—very focused, very determined and very good! Can you believe that this team has one 19 year old, three 20 year olds, one 26 year old and one 27 year old? If the young ones can stay healthy, they will be contenders for a very long time.
1. The American guys happily squashed all doubt that they were still a team to be dealt with. They produced a wonderful team performance with each member stepping up big time to do his job. They looked confident and performed that way. They finished in fourth place in the qualifying, but it’s a new game for the finals. But no matter what, the guys have really earned their tickets to Beijing. Congratulations Jonathan, Sasha, Kevin, Sean, David and Guillermo!
Jonathan Horton of the United States – (AP Photo/Michael Probst) ESPN
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