I’ve been a big fan of Anni Li ever since I first saw her stagger an NCAA competition with her monster Tkachev.
more photos on her official website
From an excellent interview on the UCLA Gymnastics website:
… You’ve been experimenting with different versions of your bar routine this year and pretty much throwing every trick in the book. Have you decided on a final version, or do you play it by ear, depending on what the team needs at the time? In an ideal situation, what would you like your routine to consist of?
Haha, yes I have played around with many different bar routines! I believe right now we have come to a conclusion. However, I do still play it by ear! The ideal routine right now is Shaposhnikova to bail to stalder up to the high bar, a Tkatchev, and then either a double layout or a layout full out. Usually, the coaches tell me to base it on how I feel, which is usually what is most comfortable for me before I compete. And so far, this routine seems to work out pretty well!You taught yourself the Tkatchev, correct?
Yes! It was after my dad had left for China, and I felt that the only skill I had never really tried or learned was a regular Tkatchev. So I was watching the guys do it on the high bar and started learning the tap and timing of it all. When I threw the first one, I think I shot back probably 20 feet!! But once I realized I didnt need to throw that hard, I got the hang of it. I learn skills well just by doing a few and feeling it.
read more – 10.0 Spotlight – Anna Li
UCLA faces #1 Georgia on Sunday, Mar. 8th.
I predict it will be close. UCLA is on the rise.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 