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8/05/2013

A Fair Podium, Maybe

Once in a while, we, fans, see the gymnasts we actually enjoy watching. I think the top 3 spots at the World Games in Cali ended up in harmony with fan preferences. Now that judges are taking and re-taking their qualification exams, I can't help but wonder if the next competition will bring more results looking like this, Staniouta from Belarus, next to Rizatdinova from the Ukraine:

I happen to prefer Staniouta, as a gymnast, but both Maksymenko and Rizatdinova are showing significant improvement, and they always had a lot of charm and expression. The World Championship in Kiev will likely bring many medals to the Ukrainian team and I hope these medals come without depriving other deserving competitors.

7/26/2013

World Games in Cali: Captured Moments

Ganna Rizatdinova held on to the hoop and won gold in the final but errors from other gymnasts gave her this chance.

Charopa from Belarus did a very strong ball routine and is probably the skinniest girl at the World Games

My absolute favorite, Melitina, looked magically inspired. GOLD with ball!

Tori Filanovsky from Israel is so energetic and fun to watch, even with her errors.

What is missing from this picture? Maksymenko finished without her hoop. Oh, pity!

Yeah, she regrets it and so do we.

Melitina could have won this final if she had been more confident. Her face says it.

The only non-Russian speaking girl in the Top 8 is Carolina Rodriguez from Spain. But, boy, did she wear the most sparkle.

I really liked Nazarenkova from Russia. She is very elegant and she deserved the hoop bronze. Lovely leos, too! Purple isn't great on everyone but she is just too pretty not to make it work.