With gymnastics at the Mediterranean Games coming to a close, I think now is a good time to start compiling a list of the top 8 contenders for the All Around Gold. Rankings are based purely on each gymnast's highest posted scores this year. I know it's really early to get any solid predictions, but I think there have been enough international competitions this year to start a running list of contenders.
1. Bridget Sloan - USA
(scored a 59.6 at the Tyson American Cup, a 59.55 at USA vs. GER, and a 58.95 at USA vs FRA)
2. Jiang Yuyuan - CHN
(scored 58.55 in the Prelims and 56.95 in the Finals at the University games)
3. Ksenia Semenova - RUS
(scored a 58.175 in the Euros AA final)
4. Youna Dufournut - FRA
(scored a 58.0 in the Prelims at the Mediterranean games)
5. Ksenia Afansyeva - RUS
(scored a 57.600 in the Euros AA final)
6. Ariella Kaeslin - SUI
(scored a surprising 57.275 in the Euros AA final)
7. Elisabetta Preziosa - ITA
( scored a 56.45 in Finals for Mediterranean games and 55.55 in Prelims)
8. He Ning - CHN
( scored a 55.7 in the Prelims at the University games)
Bridget has scored consistently in the 59s throughout the year. Her 59.6 was the highest AA total I've come across this year. She is a safe bet to make the US team for Worlds (nabbing an AA spot). Jiang Yuyuan posted a huge 58.55 in prelims for the University games the other night. She's up there with Bridget, especially if she is healthy come worlds (and has her 2.5TY, too!). Youna won the AA at the Mediterranean games and posted a high 58.0 in the prelims. If she remains consistent, she has a chance at making the podium. Both Kaeslin and Afansyeva are pretty inconsistent. However, when they hit, they can be a threat. Elisabetta and Ning both qualified 2nd in the AA at the Mediterranea and University games respectively. Their scores aren't great, and I really have no confidence in either one making the worlds podium. However, they are up there by default.
And then there's Nastia. Will she be up to par? Will she even compete in the AA? If Liukin can compete in the AA and is up to par with the rest in the world (besides beam and bars), then she is the odds on favorite to win. However, her first big AA competition of the year will be at Nationals in August. She is the biggest question mark.
I also have to admit that I was surprised about Sloan's scores. I remembered her doing pretty well this year, but I didn't think she actually had the highest scores. I thought she'd make the worlds team and place a respecful 5th or so in the AA. Right now she can win it all. I can't wait for the Visa Championships to see if she can become national champion.
Have I missed someone? I only briefly researched scores. I may have missed some. Let me know what you think!
8 comments:
You forgot about Euros:
Ksenia Semenova, RUS, 58.175 (Euros AA final)
Ksenia Afansyeva, RUS, 57.600 (Euros AA final)
Ariella Kaeslin, SUI, 57.275 (Euros AA final)
I did forget about Euros! Geeze! haha thanks!
gorgeous blog
thanks for posting those clever articles :)
Thanks so much! I've been working really hard on it. I also try to give a fresh take on the same pieces of news that everyone blogs about. haha.
YES A NEW BLOG!
hooray! thank you!
I love Sloan, and she has seemed more and more solid since the Olympics. I do love her. However, I think the Ksenias--especially Semenova, who is less of a headcase--has a good chance as well, as does Jiang.
Nastia..who knows? I want to see her do ub/bb only and leave an AA spot open.
who knows? its going to be a good competition.
haha. Thanks, Vanessa! I guess we can never get enough of gym blogs!
You forgot Koko Tsurumi, who had a 58.650 at Japanese Nationals.
I didn't include Koko because that score was at a national competition. I only looked at international competitions, where judging (presumably) would be harsher.
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