understanding Gymnastics scores

Are you one of those who ignores the international judging rules up until a major competition?

After all, FIG is bound to change them anyway. New interpretations will force the top gymnasts to change their routines.

The first World Championships of the new cycle is nearly upon us. October 13 to 18th in London.

Matt (mgl71594) has a number of videos like this, helping explain what judges are looking for.

Click PLAY or watch Jon Horton’s Floor routine assessment on YouTube.

A detailed projection of scores by Andy Thornton on the American Gymnast blog puts Jon 3rd in the world:

I put together a chart below that shows the highest scores I could find on each event from any competition this year for Uchimura, Hambuchen, and Horton – this included the Japan Cup where Uchimura and Hambuchen competed head-to-head (Uchimura won by 0.65), the American Cup, the national championships for all three gymnasts, and Hambuchen’s recent Champions Trophy competitions. Then I totaled them up to get a theoretical comparison of their all-around potentials:

Uchimura – 94.0
Hambuchen – 92.9
Horton – 91.95

… it’s clearly POMMEL HORSE that is keeping both Hambuchen and Horton away from Uchimura. You’ll notice that Hambuchen’s all-around is about 1 point behind Uchimura, and that’s exactly how far back his pommel horse is as well. Similarly, Horton’s total is 2 points behind Uchimura, and that’s exactly how far his pommel horse is away from Uchimura’s too! So if we look at the other five events combined, these three guys are incredibly evenly matched.

To make it even clearer, here are these three guys’ totals WITHOUT pommel horse:

Uchimura 78.85
Hambuchen 78.80
Horton 78.75

read more – Uchimura vs. Hambuchen vs. Horton…

(via Sho Nakamuri)