The first flight of women’s Gymnastics qualifications was wonderful. Italy. Netherlands.
But the biggest excitement was generated by a gymnast I didn’t know.
Her Rudi Vault was even better. Stuck.
Men’s Apparatus Olympic qualifiers
The TOP gymnast on each of the 6 apparatus will earn an individual spot in Paris.
But only those gymnasts whose team has not qualified are eligible. Individual AA qualified gymnasts are also not eligible. (Yulo took a zero on Vault so didn’t make it in the AA.)
IF all named gymnasts compete, there is only ONE eligible on Floor and Vault.
Here are Spencer’s predictions. It won’t be official until after the Apparatus Finals.
Floor: CARLOS YULO (Phillipines)
Horse: Whoever places best in the final among McClengaghan, Abu Al Soud, Lee CK, and Merdinyan
Rings: Whoever places best in the final among Petrounias, Simonov, Hoeck, Avetisyan, and V Davtyan
Vault: KEVIN PENEV (Bulgaria)
PBars: Carlos Yulo also ended up as the top non-qualified athlete here, so I’ll have to see whether they go down to Kuavita in 23rd on the list here, or Ryu Sunghyun in 20th on floor
High Bar: Whoever places best in the final between Srbic and Nory
NOTE ➙ Unlike the Tokyo Olympics, if Yulo qualifies from Floor, he can compete as many apparatus as he likes in Paris. He can do the AA. He could possibly medal in the AA.
Men’s Worlds Qualifications video
Antwerp Worlds AA Finalists
Diogo Soares is the final qualifier. He also earned an individual spot for Paris.
MAG Apparatus Finalists
Pommels is the strongest Final. Any of these guys could medal on the day.
You have to call Artur the favourite.
Biggest surprise at Worlds ➙ Canada MAG
Insiders all knew that Canada could be one of the top teams with super talents like Félix Dolci and his club teammate William Émard.
Tokyo Olympian René Cournoyer (now age-26) has been one of most artistic gymnasts for years.
BUT Canada waited until it really counted to put together the best team performance of any Olympic contenders. (In fact, I’d argue that Canada was also most consistent at the 2022 Worlds.)
It’s a team strategy. Lower difficulty, higher execution and consistency. More teams should do this. Smart.
I doubt anyone predicted Canada could finish as high as 4th.
Since Canada started on Pommels, they brought in specialist Jayson Rampersad. The Worlds rookie looked a veteran to me. Nailing his difficult routine. Actually, he said his heart rate was going up — but when he looked back at his teammates, confidence returned.
And what can we say about Zach Clay. (age-28). A mainstay of Canada’s top team for years. Finally getting a chance to meet his lifetime goal of competing Olympics.
Zach did not train nor plan to compete the AA in qualification. But things happen — and Zach did do all six.
I talked to alternate Yanni Chronopoulos about how difficult is to be ready — but not compete. He graciously gave all credit to his teammates.
Canada has not qualified a full team since the Kyle Shewfelt era. 2008.
See you in Paris.
related – Neutral Deductions – LIVE blog
USA back on the Podium
Congratulations.
Nemour from multiple angles
Day 1 MAG Worlds video
Lukas Dauser is proud of Germany
Despite MANY personal and team challenges, Germany put together the best qualification competition of any team so far.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 