Attention: Exceptionally Elegant Korean Next to Kanaeva on the Gymnastics Podium

For the first time, a South Korean beauty takes the bronze at a gymnastics Grand Prix event, right after the world champions Kanaeva and Dmitrieva.

Son Yeon-Jae, a 17-year old from Seoul, was the Asian Games bronze medalist in 2010 when she made her entry into the "senior" category. At the time she allegedly said in an interview, that she deserved better than bronze. Well, 2010 is far in the past now, and I have to say, that if she stays in good shape during this season, she definitely has a chance to prove herself worthy of gold at the 2012 Asian Games.

For this routine, the young Korean received 27.750, higher than Garaeva, Miteva, Staniouta, and Rivkin who have all medaled at World Championships. I especially like her arm positions and the risky throws with the hoop that she performs.



In addition to being an absolutely beautiful girl with breath-taking classical technique, she is also expressive. Her passion in performing this routine really moved me. She joins the other two strong gymnasts from Asia, Trofimova from Uzbekistan and Alyabieva from Kazakhstan, as the top 3 on her continent, and as a contender for a spot in the world's top 10.