I’ve made all the “easy” predictions for Beijing.
In the last few days, I’ll try to scramble to fill in as many blanks as possible.
Most will pick Diego Hypolito from Brazil to win Floor Exercise. He’s the defending World Champion. He’s very consistent. He’s young and, I think, healthy.
Personally I’ve never been a fan of Diego’s style.
Romania’s Marian Dragulescu is back out of retirement. He actually tied Shewfelt in Athens … but lost the Gold on Floor in the tie break.
However — being a Canadian — I think I’ll double my chances by calling for either Kyle Shewfelt to repeat as champion. Or his teammate Brandon O’Neill to take the Gold on Floor.
photo Sam Sanford Blades
If all the top guys HIT, I feel Brandon is the man to beat. But over the past 15yrs I’ve learned never to count out Shewfelt. If he can get into the Final, Kyle’s super tough under pressure.
Recall that Canada was the top team on Floor in prelims in Athens. I expect they will be in the top 3 on Floor in Beijing as a team.
UPDATE:
… O’Neill’s status for the BrandonOlympic gymnastics competition is up in the air after he injured an ankle in training earlier this week.
The Edmonton native was doing a tumbling pass at the National Indoor Stadium on Monday when he suffered the injury. “He landed quite short and when he hit the ground he felt something move in his ankle,” said Canadian coach Tony Smith said Tuesday. …
What a shame.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 