Komova wins Russian Cup
The news via the All Around Gymnastics news is that Viktoriya Komova has captured the Russian Cup all around title after a convincing performance. She was trailed by Aliya Mustafina, who also hit all four apparatus, with some mistakes. According to All Arounds tweets, she missed her leap out of her Arabian and had issues with her turns on floor. In third was the ever-reliable Yulia Inshina, who is looking a favorite for a reserve spot for her consistency.
Top ten. For those who don’t read Russian, let’s give thanks for my meagre language skills. It goes
1. Komova 2. Mustafina 3. Inshina 4, Afanasyeva 5. Pavlova 6. Myzdrikova 7. Belokobylskaya 8. Sidorova 9. Dunaeva 10. Rodionova 11. Polyan
Anastasia Grishina got a 13.800 on bars. Dementyeva only did bars (14.733) and beam (13. 067). Nabieva on vault got a 14.233 and on bars a 14.767.
As ever, there is no video yet- but we can hope for some. Afanasyeva hit floor and beam, the two events where she is most needed, getting great scores on those- especially beam where she can be iffy at times, but had problems on her DY and bars. Maria Paseka sat her Amanar after successfully competing it in team finals (14.533). If she can stand it up in event finals, it is very likely she will be the fifth team member.
Anna Dementyeva had a very rough day, as did Anastasia Sidorova.
With the Amanar under her belt, and no other strong all around contender, it is looking more and more likely that Paseka will join the fab four of Afanasyeva, Grisina, Komova and Mustafina in London.
Apparently you can see a little of the girls competing bars in a clip HERE
Thanks to the All Around on Twitter and Lauren C!
12 Comments
Ana
I would love to see Pavlova on the team. I know everything you can say about her… but, God, she´s so persistent
15 Jun 2012 03:06 pm (@@anacossani)
Livia
totally agree with you!
she's one of the most persistent gymnasts I've ever seen!
i think she deserves to be on the russian team as a reward for her persistence and also as one more chance to make the olympics
15 Jun 2012 05:06 pm (@Twitter)
Catherine
Wow I’m thrilled that Myzdrikova has re-emerged, not brilliant scoring for her however. Her 2009 floor routine is my favourite floor routine EVER. It is so amazing, such a pity she never shone enough elsewhere to be worth the effort. If Komova can stay on beam she will be on the Olympic AA podium I think, especially if she can her amanar back (NOT a sloppy Mustafina-esque one). Looks like Aliya just can’t contend with her anymore which is sad, but of course she still has time to clean up her routines.
15 Jun 2012 05:06 pm (@Twitter)
Alfi
I think Aliya is on a more careful plan. She plays safe for the time being. She also has something that Vika lacks, Super Nervs of Steel. I expect a show from her in London.
16 Jun 2012 11:06 pm (@Twitter)
Anya
I miss Pavlova! I REALLY hope, even though it’s unlikely, she’ll make the Olympic team, even if it’s just on beam and vault.
15 Jun 2012 07:06 pm (@Twitter)
Phillip
Do you think that a 16.2 is a score anyone could expect outside of their home country? I mean, I thought Gabby’s score of 15.8 or whatever it was, was too high even though she performed great.
16 Jun 2012 01:06 am (@Twitter)
CF
Definitely possible. Both Maroney and He Kexin have surpassed the 16 mark, with an Amanar in TF and UB routines at previous Worlds, respectively. Komova I believe is more than capable of doing so with her upgraded UB routine - her execution is comparable if not better than He's. Douglas doesn't compare. US domestic scores are notoriously inflated - Russian scores, not so much (and Chinese athletes, of course, receive insanely deflated ones at home meets).
16 Jun 2012 08:06 am (@Twitter)
Margot
If the qualification scores of the Russian Cup are an indication, then I would say that the judges, in anything, give 'lower' scores; the rationale being that the gymnast will work harder to improve that score. So I don't believe that the 16.2 is inflated. Bear in mind that Komova has a 7.0 start value and has consistent execution and artistry scores to match - it does help that she has the 'toe point', 'arch' and 'lines' that make her routine so aesthetically pleasing to audiences. The fact that she is World Champion and European Champion must be a confidence booster in itself!
As much as I admire Gabby Douglas, I do believe that in comparison to her European compatriots, her swing and lines aren't as 'clean and effortless'. Yes the Visa Championships weren't fair across the board of gymnasts competing on UB, so I guess the only thing we can do is wait til London!
16 Jun 2012 09:06 am (@Twitter)
Name christina
Vika has been getting huge E scores on UB internationally since she was a junior. Of course we can't know for sure without seeing her routine but she has a 7.0 start value and considering she usually gets 9+ E scores I think we could possibly see a 16 from her in the olympics. And I think Gabby can score 15.600 + internationallly as well
16 Jun 2012 04:06 pm (@Twitter)
sergei
Komova’s bar is in a different class from Gabby’s sloppy inconsistent bar. Deal with it.
16 Jun 2012 01:06 pm (@Twitter)
Holly
I am already so tired of the gymnastics fan ugliness in attitude. its always been around, but the olympics run up and the ubiquitous internet forums are making it worse and worse. Can't we root for our favorites without disparaging other athletes? Its just so unneccesary and petty.
17 Jun 2012 06:06 pm (@Twitter)
Thine
Komova is sloppy and can't hit when it counts
19 Jun 2012 03:06 pm (@Twitter)