Gymnastics News #15

[Spun Silver]

Nah. I think Simone (has she gone pro?) will be getting a huge number of endorsements leading up to the Olympic trials. Gabby will get a few deal, but I can't see her being considered anything but an underdog. What are the chances that Maggie Nichols could have a shot at U.S. #2 in the AA? I'm assuming they would consider her over Aly, right?

On the contrary, I think they will both do very well. For the US to have the two leading contenders going into Rio (that is how it will be depicted as long as both stay healthy) has such great storylines ... A rivalry, a friendship (?), a comeback, a quasi-orphan, TWO African-American champions.... And they are both stunning to look at in different ways. Gabby is looking almost queenly these days, and Simone the tiny fireball, both with such beautiful smiles.

 

[kwanoverrated]

I think Nichols will make the team and will get a shot at doing AA in Rio if I were to guess now. Alot can change in a year but there was so much controversy about her being shut out of an AA shot this time, and she certainly proved herself in the team event and many different times now that I see Simone, Gabby, and Maggie all getting to do AA in prelims. However I see Gabby even stronger next year, and she will probably have to make a mistake for Maggie to get that spot ultimatel.

 

[Karpenko]

There will be so much hype and buildup on Simone and Gabby that I wouldn't be surprised to see them be the only two doing AA in prelims to ensure they make the AA final. Money and ratings/endorsements could come into play.

Aly is weak on bars, Maggie was a bit weak on beam here. You could do Maggie VT/UB/FX and Aly VT/BB/FX with Kocian/Kyla as UB/BB and come out just fine. There will be pressure to make sure that Simone/Gabby are in the AA final, it'll be bigger than Nastia and Shawn potentially. I think that strategic team planning could come into the picture.

 

[MAXSwagg]

There will be so much hype and buildup on Simone and Gabby that I wouldn't be surprised to see them be the only two doing AA in prelims to ensure they make the AA final. Money and ratings/endorsements could come into play.

Aly is weak on bars, Maggie was a bit weak on beam here. You could do Maggie VT/UB/FX and Aly VT/BB/FX with Kocian/Kyla as UB/BB and come out just fine. There will be pressure to make sure that Simone/Gabby are in the AA final, it'll be bigger than Nastia and Shawn potentially. I think that strategic team planning could come into the picture.

Omg, I love your picture! KhorkiQueen!

 

[OnyxRose81]

Just FYI, Simone has gone pro.

 

[Rob]

Nice vault from Ellie! Just a slight hop forward.

@Spun Silver - they're not beating the US, funny how the complaints seem to have lessened. </snark>

There was chatter among non-competing US gymnasts on Twitter a couple of years back about Shang Chunsong even though she wasn't beating the competing US gymnasts. I think Shang still looks younger than Huang Huidan did in 2013 (when Huang beat Ross for bars title), but Shang is 19 now.

 

[poths]

Fasana is out of the FX finals with an elbow injury. Chunsong will replace and PML that Wevers is now 1st reserve with 2 passes, a double tuck and 2.5

Great article on Shang depicting her life thus fair and speaks of severe malnourishment as a child ! Kudos to her
http://16-233.tumblr.com/post/132196119794/delta1088-the-story-of-shang-chunsong-a-girls

 

[poths]

There was chatter among non-competing US gymnasts on Twitter a couple of years back about Shang Chunsong even though she wasn't beating the competing US gymnasts. I think Shang still looks younger than Huang Huidan did in 2013 (when Huang beat Ross for bars title), but Shang is 19 now.

Given that there is history of entering underage athletes and forging passports I think the Chinese team are always going to be under scrutiny. However, the ignorance that this seems to generate on twitter is often shocking. I don't understand the licence to continuously slate the team's physical makeup/appearance. Last time I checked the Chinese genetic makeup and lifestyle was quite different to that of the USA and Europe-

 

[Garden Kitty]

Brief article about Larisa Iordache's comeback for the AA bronze, including a sweet quote about Simone.

After the award ceremony, Iordache said Biles had been cheering for her.

"Simone tells me, I believe in you," Iordache said. "And it's the day ... It was a hard day for me but it was a good one."

 

[Lara]

Great article on Shang depicting her life thus fair and speaks of severe malnourishment as a child ! Kudos to her
http://16-233.tumblr.com/post/132196119794/delta1088-the-story-of-shang-chunsong-a-girls

Wow. But to her. Thanks for posting @poths.

 

[VGThuy]

I love Biles' sportsmanship.

 

[floskate]

I read Shang's story earlier. I think this, and the fact that she hasn't grown at all since her first appearance on the world stage, should finally put the whisperings about her age to bed. It reminded me a little of the story of Xue Shen as told in the book, 'The Second Mark'; something about how she had the ability to "eat dirt" meaning she was tough as nails and would overcome any and all adversities no matter what. Shang seems to have the same quality.

I was so pleased for Larissa last night and it's great to read that Simone is so supportive of her. Apparently they are good friends and stay in contact year round. In fact I thought the camaraderie and mutual respect on display among all the girls last night was really great to see

Some things there for Ms Komova to learn from, that's for sure

 

[ilovepaydays]

Whittenburg is now in the AA today.

 

[Aceon6]

Holy cow, batman, Whitlock threw down a 16+ on pommel.

 

[FiveRinger]

You would have thought I was a gymnast the way I flew in the door and got my packages put away and the tv connected to the computer so that I could watch this live......and the first thing I see is Whittenburg fall. That was shocking! But the score still isn't bad.

 

[Aceon6]

@FiveRinger Still watching? Is Landuyt (BEL) injured? I see a 4.591 on floor.

 

[FiveRinger]

@Aceon6, yes, I'm kind of half watching while trying to do some house work. Let's see if we get a summary.

 

[Tesla]

I'm bummed about Whittenburg. I was hoping he'd medal.

 

[Fridge_Break]

@FiveRinger Still watching? Is Landuyt (BEL) injured? I see a 4.591 on floor.

I just dropped in here to ask if anyone has any insight on this. I'm watching Skate Canada, and can't find anything on Twitter. He apparently incurred 6 points in deductions, D-score of 2.3 and E-score of 8.291

 

[FiveRinger]

@FiveRinger Still watching? Is Landuyt (BEL) injured? I see a 4.591 on floor.

http://www.2015worldgymnastics.com/the-championships/results/results.aspx?g=m&evt=AA&rnd=fin

I take that back....but live results will post here

 

[Aceon6]

Weird. The results page is still showing 4.591

 

[FiveRinger]

Weird. The results page is still showing 4.591

Mine is showing him in 2nd place with no floor score even after refreshing

 

[FiveRinger]

Jesus...don't pay attention to me. I'm looking at the wrong person!

 

[dots]

David B. on high bar was just exquisite. Bart D. on floor is my favorite.

 

[Lorac]

Oh no Max Whitlock falls from the high bar - devastating as it will cost him a podium medal I'm sure

 

[Aceon6]

Damn. I was hoping for another GBR medal. Go, Cuba!

 

[floskate]

Max Oh well go get that Pommel Horse title tomorrow instead.

 

[dots]

Manrique is really stepping it up, just like at the Pan Am Games.

 

[ilovesalchows]

I am at work following gymnastike quick hits and I see that the Belgian gymnast, Landuyt, was carried off the floor in a brace. Seems to have injured his ankle during his floor routine.

http://www.gymnastike.org/coverage/...UPDATES-2015-World-Championships#.VjPDymddGos

Too bad about Whittenburg's E score on bars. I didn't see it. Was it bad?

 

[dots]

Lucas is wonderful on Floor. I love the little choreography he throws in there.