From Inside Gymnastics:
Still Missing Artistry.
The new Code was meant to encourage artistry, but so far, it doesn’t seem to have been too successful. The judges aren’t allowing enough separation in the Execution score among gymnasts to really distinguish in a significant fashion. And so many gymnasts and coaches seem to be neglecting this side of the sport still, with unimaginative choreography and still not enough focus on the details. The judges have 10 full points to work with in the Execution score, but they’re not using enough range. …
Nobody names either Bridge Sloan #1 or Rebecca Bross #2 as one of the most “artistic” gymnasts in the world.
Both are fantastic athletes. Both could contend for Olympic AA medals in 3yrs if they can stay healthy.
Actually, my opinion of Rebecca went way, way up at this her first major international meet. That kid is tough. She handled catastrophic disaster perfectly. Impassive. … In fact she reminded me of the psychological toughness of Ludmilla Tourischeva.
Sounds like her coach and Nastia did not handle Rebecca’s fall on the last tumbling line of the last apparatus nearly as calmly. Disappointing.
Later, Valeri put a braver face on it:
… said Bross’s fall was a good learning experience.
“She’s still very great,” Liukin said. “She’s still very young. We learn.” …
Gymnastics Examiner
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In any case, the majority of bloggers were naming Ana Porgras the most artistic gymnast. Check a thread on the IG Forum comparing Ana against the best switch ring leaps in history.
Certainly Ana cannot contend against the best gymnasts in the world under this code without getting much, much stronger. We can hope she improves to the level of former Romanian World Champion, Aurelia Dobre.
Perhaps the most artistic gymnast at World’s in the AA was Yang Yilin. What do you think?
http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js
Elsa Garcia won the Longines Prize for Elegance. … But I’m wondering how much her being disallowed to compete in Beijing factored into that award.
I only saw some of the routines broadcast on Universal. … Leave a comment if you have your own ARTISTIC World Gymnastics Champion.
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