tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22872022828849389772024-03-13T05:55:39.062+00:00Beautiful GymnasticsNews and opinions on current and past gymnasticsBeautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.comBlogger355125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-52940040790953657952019-10-13T23:59:00.001+01:002019-10-13T23:59:46.572+01:00Worlds Thoughts Part 1It's insane to watch <b>Simone Biles </b>win 5 more gold medals and all gold. Although she has a different standard to the rest of the field it's a great personal victory for her to compete a lot better here than she did at worlds last year where she was of course hindered by both kidney stone and still honing routine construction. Her beam has been great all week and although the interior of her routine can't match some other routines she absolutely nailed the life out of it in beam finals today and deservedly took the title. Fierce isn't the word. It's odd to think of the sport without her. She has been in it for almost my entire time of watching it and is still getting better. <br />
<br />
<b>Angelina Melnikova </b>realising her full potential finally was so satisfying to watch. 3 medals for someone who has been bringing in results and carrying her team all quad but never hitting fully when it mattered individually. I never thought I'd see her hitting beam and floor so well and so consistently and I'm glad she was rewarded for that with a floor medal and beam scores over 14.<br />
<br />
<b>Russia </b>had some amazing leos that I'm fully behind. Some a bit too shiny for me but loads of interesting work and several purple ones which is always an excellent choice. Can't decide if <b>Lilia Akhaimova</b>'s AA leo was more stained glass or butterly, either way it was fun if a bit young for her.<br />
<br />
<b>Double Downies </b>both medalling for the first time at worlds on the same day is a story for the ages. What a moment! Unfortunately the judges appear to have blinked while <b>Ellie</b> did the second-best vaulting of the final and gave her bronze instead. <b>Becky</b>, meanwhile, who started her worlds journey in the same city in 2007 and who has had an extremely rocky journey with injury FINALLY put it all together and knocked it out of the park to score silver. It should be mentioned that not only did <b>Becky </b>have to recover and hit but she also had to<i> </i>relearn her Ezhova and Tweddle by turning in the opposite direction than previously due to her elbow injury. Incredible isn't the word and the massive reaction and excitement of all the GB gymnasts <b>Becky </b>has competed with down through the years really solidified what a massive achievement that routine was.<br />
<br />
<b>Rhys McClenaghan </b>qualified for the FIRST worlds final for Ireland <i>and </i>took bronze. The main thing to take away from that routine is that he did it to the best of his ability and that's all that can be asked for. His hip angle and extension need to be rewarded comparatively to <b>Max Whitlock </b>who won gold by a tenth with an 0.6 d score advantage but with a piked angle and flexed feet. Respect to <b>Max </b>for continuing to produce high difficulty and consistent work after so many years but that score...was not it. Far too high in contrast to <b>Rhys </b>and <b>Lee Chih-Kai</b>. No matter, it will motivate both of them to upgrade for Tokyo.<br />
<br />
<b>Roxana Popa</b>'s whip-whip-double tuck pass and her Mustafina turn are absolutely outstanding and so is her choreography and personality in that routine. How great to see her back after so long out! Her landings knocked her down a bit and she could do with an upgrade to really contend but that was amazing.<br />
<br />
<b>Tang Xijing </b><i>did that</i>. Incredible performance from a first-year senior especially after falling twice on beam in qualifications and initially being 2-per-countrie'd. The best she could have done on floor and hopefully she can get her DTY a bit stronger and slowly upgrade other events. She's not a standout on beam or bars within the national team but she sure was in the AA, crisp, efficient, precise. A huge total and really, second in the world behind the greatest of all time at the peak of her talent feels like a significantly higher achievement than <b>China</b>'s other silver AA medallist <b>Jiang Yuyuan </b>who placed second to <b>Aliya Mustafina</b>. Pre-ACL tear <b>Aliya </b>was of course a force to be reckoned with but undoubtedly not in the same league as <b>Simone</b>.<br />
<br />
It's perfectly normal to pull out of certain finals to concentrate on others. It's not always injury, it can be due to fear of re-aggravating an injury, overtraining/fatigue worry or simply focusing on medal chances. <b>Liu Tingting </b>being pulled was not exactly a massive surprise after such a disastrous TF as she had. As the team captain she would have felt an obligation to shepherd a mostly new but very talented team to a team medal and therefore to be the only one counting falls to throw them down into 4th is a heavy burden to bear. LTT has a beautiful floor and great bars when she hits and there's a reason why she is now a 2-time beam world medallist so her qualification to the AA especially with <b>Tang Xijing </b>falling twice and <b>Chen Yile </b>not doing the AA wasn't a big surprise but wasn't exactly the focus for her either. By all accounts it appears to have been a mutual decision both for LTT's own mental wellbeing (and probably physical too, her ankles are notoriously a problem hence double twist beam dismount) with the massive benefit of giving the usually very consistent and strong all-arounder <b>Tang Xijing </b>her chance. <b>Ellie Downie </b>pulled out of competing AA in TF and <b>Nina Derweal </b>pulled out of the floor final for very similar preservation reasons, so y'know, same sort of thing, just different finals order. No Gutsu, Galieva, Marinescu, Baraksanova, Mostepanova- gymnasts involved in shafting of qualified AA spots - comparisons are necessary.<br />
<br />
<b>Sunisa Lee </b>is a joy to watch. She has a real lightness and floaty quality to her gymnastics, a really clean style. Floor finals was unexpected but probably shouldn't have been, she's improved so much even since summer. Sad to see her come to grief on bars and beam and knock herself out of the super competitive all-around podium but she is young and only going to improve from here.<br />
<br />
Gutted for <b>Melanie de Jesus dos Santos </b>who has really had a miserable worlds, no other word for it. Clean in her 2 event finals but to fall short in team, AA and EF is a bitter pill to swallow for such a fabulous and well-rounded AA gymnast. Powerful on vault, dynamic on floor, solid beam, crisp on bars. I suppose it's great motivation for next year.<br />
<br />
<br />
Purple leos had a really strong showing at worlds, nice to see.<br />
<br />
<b>Alexandra Schekoldina </b>has a really stunning DTY. So tidy<br />
<br />
The fact that <b>Liu Tingting </b>and <b>Li Shijia </b>both medalled in a final when they both lost significant connective value with pauses is very promising. The rest of their work has such quality it still keeps them high.<br />
<br />
<b>Nina </b>was really fun to watch on bars. It's not my favourite routine but she has really tightened up on it and it's incredible to see her hit her crazy difficulty and do it so well. And then to plant the dismount as such a final statement. My heart said <b>Becky </b>but really and truly <b>Nina </b>earned that gold no question.<br />
<br />
I'm so impressed that <b>Ellie Black </b>went for the Rudi after seeing the standings. Extremely brave move and obviously it didn't work out for her but wow, what an athlete. Hopefully she will be well recovered by the end of the year.<br />
<br />
<b>Giulia Steinbruber</b>'s leaps are a masterpiece. Such height, split and sheer power behind them.<br />
<br />
<b>Simone Biles </b>is really not that far behind her. Her tumbling takes almost all of the focus naturally enough but her leaps on floor are seriously difficult and always very high with a great split.<br />
<br />
<br />
It's late so, part 2 of X tomorrow! Hope everyone enjoyed a really excellent worlds.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-12247270881177176442019-10-06T20:09:00.000+01:002019-10-06T20:09:00.546+01:00Worlds QualificationsI knew it would be interesting but I'm still surprised at all of the twists and turns.<br />
<br />
First up, <b>Kara Eaker </b>and the notorious beam inquiry which will live long in the collective gymternet memory for knocking her out of the beam final she was comfortably placed in. Her original placing, 5th, would have meant she would have competed last in the final and therefore stood an excellent chance of gold or silver with a hit routine. I understand the perspective of 'this score is too low, we need the d-score looked at' but share the common view of 'she was IN the final there was no point' and of course, that the creditability of her dodgy ring leaps should not have been brand new information to anyone. When you pay FIG to re-evaluate using the superior jury with the ability to use slow-motion replay then you run the risk of them spotting something, which of course they did, and I've no issue with what they did. Extremely cruel for <b>Kara </b>of course but they were doing their jobs. A great pity it wasn't spotted in real time in any of the other numerous competitions<b> </b>she competed in but it must be noted that the leaps are worse than they were last year at worlds. The beam judges were also on serious crack as noted in the extremely harsh execution scoring of the earliest subdivisions, the too-tight scoring range and not originally crediting <b>Flavia Saraiva's </b>ring leaps which are the best in the game.<br />
<br />
US domestic judging does the athletes and coaches no favours by inflating scores and ignoring questionable skills and connections. They're not the only ones and of course USA has such a cushion that in terms of the team it doesn't really matter but it has crappy consequences individually as <b>Jordyn Wieber </b>(beam connections not creditable), <b>McKayla Maroney </b>(floor overtime penalty at Antwerp knocked her out of the final) and now <b>Kara </b>can attest. I'm sure there are more examples. The worst thing now is that it will be very difficult for <b>Kara </b>to remain relevant for Tokyo if she cannot rework her beam routine. Without a monster beam score and with <b>Sunisa Lee </b>becoming such a fantastic beamer, the gap<b> </b>is closing. We'll see what happens with the specialist spots.<br />
<br />
I haven't been watching gymnastics long enough to be used to seeing <b>China </b>with a fantastic team. 2012 of course had amazing veterans but also injury and inconsistency issues. Watching them nail routine after routine was trul exhilarating. One highlight was <b>Liu Tingting </b>with so-close-to-perfect beam and bars routines and a really charismatic floor throwing her so far up to the top of the all-around standings when up until very recently it wasn't sure at all if she would do the all-around at all. She has a DTY but it's not great and I'm glad she played it safe with the FTY. <b>Chen Yile </b>also had a great meet which is wonderful to see after her recovery and so did <b>Li Shijia</b>. <b>Chen Yile </b>will be working her back to full all-around capability for Tokyo while <b>Li Shijia </b>had a great AA showing qualifying in 6th overall helped by her monster beam score which placed her second in that final.<b> Tang Xijing </b>had 2 falls on beam of course but had the all-important DTY, a really strong bars and recovered after beam to do fine on floor. Floor<b> </b>was as expected, not notably great but not awful by any means and better than many recent floor rotations. There are options there to upgrade such as <b>Qi Qi</b>'s silivas and full credit for <b>Li Shijia</b>'s triple full which WAS rotated. Great showing for finals, 5th and 6th AA so top group, <b>Liu Tingting </b>in 2 event finals - bars and beam, <b>Qi Qi </b>just taking the last vault spot in a seriously competitive final and <b>Li Shijia </b>second qualifier on beam.<br />
<br />
Like <b>Russia </b>I hope they haven't used up their consistency in qualifiers. There was much discussion over this weak <b>Russian </b>team relying on largely untested gymnasts to fill in the gaps for qualifying and team finals but....they really knocked it out of the park. Really surreal to see 3 out of 4 hit beam routines. Rough day for <b>Schekeldina </b>but valued experience and she did have an absolutely beautiful vault.<b> Lilia Akhaimova </b>was a force to be reckoned with, I expected her strong vault and floor but was surprised with her bars and beam...bars were fierce and very different to what went before her, but efficient and got the job done and into the AA. I never am sure of <b>Angelina Melnikova </b>even though she has been very consistent for the last good while. Great to see her having such a good day. I will say I thought the e-scores were running too high on bars for them and slightly on floor considering how they were the previous day but climbing has been, is and will always be an issue.<br />
<br />
<b>USA </b>obviously went out and lead the field by 5 points afterwards. <b>Simone Biles </b>is top AA qualifier and into all event finals as well as having 2 new skills in the code, the double double off beam (more on that later) with a super upright landing and the triple double which of course she had too much energy on and went out of bounds. A bouncy day for her, the 0.3 neutral deduction on the explosive Cheng which left her in danger of running out of mat made the difference in her qualifying second into vault finals behind <b>Jade Carey </b>but presumably she will use her own vault in the finals and excess energy won't be a problem and she'll get more used to the floor too during TF and AA. <b>Jade Carey </b>had exceptional vaults but ran into trouble with OOB on floor, tying with <b>Sunisa Lee </b>and subsequently losing the tiebreak and getting 2-per-countrie'd out of finals. I mean, it should probably have been less of a surprise that <b>Sunisa</b>'s massive improvement puts specialists such as <b>Jade </b>and <b>Kara </b>at risk while <b>Simone</b> is still competing. The out of bounds is not really the culprit I don't think, but the artistry deductions <b>Jade</b>'s routines incur. Nobody is expecting her to whip out a Soviet special but failure to engage with and express properly as well as poor choreography should be harshly deducted, it's only right. The bars and beam execution scores sure were interesting. <b>Simone</b>'s beam was the best she's done in ages and the fact that the risky skills are removed means I don't see much issue with her execution score, she didn't leave them much to work with in terms of deductions. 13.4 for <b>Sunisa </b>with a fall though is a choice. She IS brilliant (LOOK AT THOSE RINGS ARMINE AND AL!!) and very clean but there's not really justification for that compared to the quality of routines that scored LESS than that with no fall or significant error. Similarly, <b>Grace </b>without a fall would have had the highest execution score of all and her form doesn't stand up to that. I also have no idea how her bars score went over a 14, they are not notable and have inbuilt errors in late skills and handstands. It's not in the same league as the actual bars specialists. Efficient with a great dismount but...that's it.<br />
<br />
I've been watching individual routines of <b>Melanie De Jesus Dos Santos</b>, the rest of team France, Netherlands, GB and others but not enough to give a proper team opinion. The team final is going to be incredible with not much between <b>France, China </b>and <b>Russia</b>. Great to see teams like <b>France </b>upping their game so much. <b>Japan </b>falling out of team final contention is to be expected after leaving <b>Mai Murakami </b>at home but it's devastating for <b>Brazil </b>to be knocked out. They've been crushed by injury. Thrilled for <b>Spain </b>and to see <b>Roxana Popa </b>so strong again and beautiful routines from <b>Cintia Rodriguez</b>. To me, this is the most exciting worlds in a few years.<br />
<br />
<b>Chen Yile </b>is far from the only one competing through recovery, <b>Ana Padurariu </b>is far from her full difficulty but thankfully is in beam finals after the inquiry fiasco. <b>Brooklyn Moors </b>also got knocked from floor finals (although the day before) from an inquiry. Her artistry and devotion to expression is just gorgeous and hopefully she'll be back in floor final next year but the pre-rotation on the leap they took off for is quite clear in the screenshots and her twisting form isn't cute so there are areas of improvement other than loading difficulty.<br />
<br />
Back to the double double beam dismount. There is no way the same skill should be a H on beam and floor clearly it is far harder on beam to execute. Countless gymnasts can compete the double double on floor while we are basically never going to see anyone else do it on beam. The 0.3 rise between a full twisting and double twisting double back on floor is very relevant. They should have given it an I rating on beam. The safety argument FIG countered with doesn't really wash because any salto imposes a risk for a gymnast if something goes wrong. How many times have we seen a foot slip on beam and a double tuck go wrong as a result? In this case it's just not a skill that someone can chuck out of the blue and the rating is an insult to the extreme skill required to do it and it is done excellently too it's not some horrorshow landed with her head almost at the ground.<br />
<br />
BUT...there are some seriously outrageous arguments out there. The rating is NOT racist and it is NOT anti-American. How could FIG or the code possibly be anti-American when tumbling skills are still open-ended but all new leaps, turns and bars transitions are capped? How is that fair to the likes of the Dutch etc.? How is it fair that the one-armed bars skills were utterly lowballed? The code has many stupid parts and there are LOADS of skills that are far more difficult than the code implies. This is not a unique thing or in any way anti-Simone. I think the best thing I saw was that <b>Kara</b>'s beam score dropping was a retaliation for the criticism of the H rating. Please. Get. Off. The. Internet.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm excited! There's a lot of stacked finals here and new and old faces that have seriously impressed as well as those were expected to do well.<br />
<br />
The TF podium I want is USA-China-France. Nothing against Russia but it would be incredible for France. I sort of want <b>Simone, Liu Tingting</b>, <b>Sunisa</b>, <b>Melanie </b>and <b>Angelina </b>on the AA podium so that's an issue. For the rest I can't really choose either so I'm really bad at dream podiums.<br />
<br />
What do you want to see in finals? Do you agree the scoring was dodgy at best? Do you think <b>Kara</b>'s coaches should be rounded up and shot?Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-1176839324033756932019-08-24T00:29:00.000+01:002019-08-24T06:26:00.566+01:00Know your TJX from your TXJ! Abbreviation guideFear not, it's the gigantic reference guide of current Chinese gymnasts and former greats who are referenced frequently. Abbreviations are commonly used especially on twitter and lately have been causing a lot of confusion. I won't lie, it's not as simple as figuring out who Melka and Listy refer to but it does become easier with a bit of effort.<br />
<br />
This is NOT an exhaustive list. I don't want it to become one because if it's too big and unwieldy it will just be annoying. <b>Shang Chunsong </b>is listed as currently competing because just when you think she isn't, there she is. Bless her.<br />
<br />
This is stemming from my head and greatly helped by the vast knowledge of brilliant Chinese gym fans <a href="https://golden-china.tumblr.com/">Golden China</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/shirai_iii?lang=en">Joshua</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/tomatoes_eggs">huanginhuangout</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/sui_luwu?lang=en">suiluwu.</a><span id="goog_563290122"></span><span id="goog_563290123"></span> <br />
<br />
Each abbreviation is a link to that gymnast's routine of er, my choice. Many of them are great at more than one event obviously so it's tough to pick one and sometimes they are higher scoring at another but fun to watch on whatever I picked. There will be routines they performed better than these also but my laptop keeps bouncing on and off the WiFi so...<br />
<br />
<b>CURRENTLY COMPETING</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqN_OgjDdzE">OYS</a> - Ou Yushan *2020 senior<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqN_OgjDdzE">CYL</a> - Chen Yile<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4623byFSZg">GCC</a> - Guan Chenchen *2020 senior<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN3mcdfmqGI">LSJ</a>- Li Shijia<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D9EwvfZeBs">YSS</a>- Yin Sisi<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SPoekuQCBI">WXY</a> - Wei Xiaoyuan *2020 senior<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXWrpGQ2zQY">LH</a> - Luo Huan<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk3-jCmfDHc">LTT</a> - Liu Tingting<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzMDm2IufT0">DSY</a> - Du Siyu<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G5ODBjh7Oc">FYL</a> - Fan Yilin<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GThPuA1V1ZI">QQ</a> - Qi Qi<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G-vP0n9rc0">LQ</a> - Li Qi<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWn2T8FRvKY">ZST</a> - Zhao Shiting<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbGj8E-Fpow">WJY</a> - Wang Jingying *2020 senior<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXFJq3Au9n4">YLM</a> - Yu Linmin<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Plz6YvmKFv0">SCS</a> - Shang Chunsong<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksuVc9GpKbU">WCY</a> - Wang Cenyu<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJbjEAXlRq0">LJR</a> - Liu Jinru<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22lq01iUB2k">ZJ</a> - Zhang Jin<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA2xegL6r_w">TXJ</a> - Tang Xijing <br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXRHb3LSJjk">CXQ</a> - Chen Xiaoqing<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oAmlFGgP0o">LJY</a> - Liu Jieyu<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWEOnZA4bFI">ZRY</a>- Zhou Ruiyu<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNeiIv2Gyy8">QXJ</a> - Qian Xuejia<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPTXgdEKoR0">LYF</a> - Lu Yufei<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6DTqP2t49A">LR</a> - Luo Rui *2021 senior<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RVKoun0i9s">MY</a> - Mao Yi<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBgYt8DIPqk">LJQ</a> - Lv/Lyu Jiaqi<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBn0bnMRRyM">LJX</a> - Liu Jingxing<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdehUmt3wQM">LYJ</a> - Luo Youjuan<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGR9egn68lE">JFF</a> - Jia Fangfang <br />
<br />
<b>THE LAST 10 YEARS-ISH</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEcxVZ2kkEI">BYW</a> - Bai Yawen<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud_3iEYuIDE">WY</a> - Wang Yan<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L433LtMgGY">ZSQ</a> - Zeng Siqi<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofWZxqu4zw4">YJN</a>- Yao Jinnan<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsNV0_hFKNw">HHD</a> - Huang Huidan<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8eTsPwi1wM">HQS</a> - Huang Qiushuang<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRPJcZIR4pE">SL</a> - Sui Lu<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpzGWkC_Mcs">ZYLZ</a> - Zhang Yelinzi<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbioTywJ2AQ">LPR</a> - Luo Peiru<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50gMUsVJnd4">WLF</a> - Wu Liufang<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voIf-eKxc44">CSY</a> - Chen Siyi<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1RoKfdf3mc">TSX</a> - Tan Sixin<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je3B40r7a9w">TJX</a> - Tan Jiaxin<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNKcignbKVs">LNN</a> - Lou Nina<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtHfGqucPRw">DYL</a> - Deng Yalan<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3htPkBzAOQ">HK</a> - <span style="color: black;">Hong Ke</span><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3htPkBzAOQ">XYF</a> - Xie Yufen<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4mMMusyqEs">CJ</a> - Cui Jie <br />
<br />
<b>GLORIOUS GOLD WINNERS 2008</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_5f2UZ60Ck">YYL</a> - Yang Yilin<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C36D0NjaP8Y">DLL</a> - Deng Linlin<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZg2AhLAaLg">JYY</a> - Jiang Yuyuan<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u25R1qPKQz8">HKX</a> - He Kexin<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsx-t0m5m3U">LSS</a> - Li Shanshan<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvz9XrnVCv4">CF</a> - Cheng Fei<br />
<br />
<b>OLDER GREATS/NOTABLE GYMNASTS</b> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbKntfd5N1c">XS</a> - Xiao Sha<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c863Zp0a6I">LY</a> - Li Ya<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLHqsAb1BFM">PPP</a> - Pang Panpan<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAbUg7YF0jY">ZN</a> - Zhang Nan<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXJdqs78u7M">FY</a> - Fan Ye<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp2k27nypVw">CCT</a> - Chen Cuiting<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apf35VVgakQ">DFX</a> - Dong Fangxiao<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35Pj6MwZUJ4">ZD</a> - Zhou Duan<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a-kOhxtGHM">ZZR</a> - Zhou Zhuoru<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXvlmkRH5vY">MHL</a> - Mo Huilan<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaFffksyJKk">BWJ</a> - Bi Wenjing<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncjsI84ZwNA">LJ</a> - Ling Jie<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UKa8l9Wu4w">MYH</a> - Ma Yanhong<br />
LL - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfh-4-3NEaU">Li Li</a>/<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-IMV4q0r_A">Lu Li</a> *This is fun as they both competed at Barcelona '92.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NrxevyiEck">FD</a> - Fan Di<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KERhE082fZ8">MF</a> - Meng Fei<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwbLfU3pJ2k">YB</a> - Yang Bo<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPOFXZx-udg">KX</a> - Kang Xin<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3KnfiSOdA0">LX</a> - Liu Xuan<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0DZ7Y-JBpI">YY</a> - Yang Yun<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN8PnQCdtM8">KYY</a> - Kui Yuanyuan<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvV_Sxq1sUI">BCY</a> - Bai Chunyue<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzD2p9qyCAE">JLY</a> - Ji Liya<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3JhTGlfhtQ">SXJ</a> - Sun Xiaojiao<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p73sazEF1o">WJN</a> - Wu Jiani<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfcV2JNWPkM">QY</a> - Qiao Ya<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-JODzsn-gA">HXM</a> - He Xuemei<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrGqwXD23YQ">HMD</a> - Huang Mandan<br />
<br />
<br />
I hope everyone has some idea how hard it is to pick <i>one </i>routine for the likes of <b>Yao Jinnan</b>, <b>Mo Huilan </b>and <b>Li Ya </b>amongst others. Not to mention the emotions of watching what could have been with <b>Lou Nina</b>, <b>Tan Sixin</b>, <b>Zeng Siqi </b>and <b>Luo Peiru</b>.<br />
<br />
This took more than 3 hours to compile and the main reason is because if the likes of <b>Yang Bo</b>'s beam routine loads, am I going to NOT watch? Unlikely. Anyway, please feel free to comment any glaring omissions. I'm sure there are some. But again, it's not meant to be exhaustive. <br />
<br />
Don't forget to take <a href="https://www.sporcle.com/games/shirai_iii/chinese-wag-abbreviation-quiz">the abbreivation quiz</a>! Do you find it easy to know who is who? I personally am torn between it being potentially isolating for new fans and the sheer and utter convenience and space-saving of it in chats, twitter etc. As somebody with zero written/spoken Mandarin knowledge in any form, it's difficult to get Zhou Zhuoru right every time and I'd much rather use ZZR. However I will continue to not use them here as I feel it suits more informal forms of media.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-72653492357651393702019-08-17T17:35:00.001+01:002019-08-17T17:35:51.976+01:00Giant US Nationals leotard specialNot sure if I'll get to every junior but I will include seniors from both nights since there are far less of them. It's always so fun to see the latest trends in leotards so many times over with the amount of girls from different gyms competing. This time is extra good though since this is before USAG are imposing restrictions on backless etc. leotards (praise the Lord). Anyway, there's a lot to get through.<br />
<br />
All images are copyright John Cheng/Allison Cheng - USA Gymnastics<br />
<br />
<b>Senior Nationals Day 1</b> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68756693_10155559170647168_7572439475024822272_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_oc=AQmkP4_k_VTH5ypjJWV_P5FNQkp6OjXBfuGXzpEFB_P4aKh_wwiFOWVHNBN6bONCjz8&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=d58d9c368bdf42049d13ebb1868f1f98&oe=5DE33868" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68756693_10155559170647168_7572439475024822272_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_oc=AQmkP4_k_VTH5ypjJWV_P5FNQkp6OjXBfuGXzpEFB_P4aKh_wwiFOWVHNBN6bONCjz8&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=d58d9c368bdf42049d13ebb1868f1f98&oe=5DE33868" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sloane Blakely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well..it's not bad? The ombre is nice, it's almost but not quite an overwhelming amount of sparkles and the cuff sparkles stand out to great effect. It's main problem is that it's too young/childish for elite. Would suit the 7-10 age group far better. It's not so much the pink that's doing it, it's the 'whimsical' sparkle design. 5.5/10<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68851311_10155559170797168_824740850201264128_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_oc=AQmgHIK-rY9eUaw-9My7oRuwZBAD3ssQkfPM9SI7PzxPmXD9kZQxnqoR-aL-f17-2WQ&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=1ae2b3ac7735fda538c9ac4ced02afda&oe=5E15A6ED" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68851311_10155559170797168_824740850201264128_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_oc=AQmgHIK-rY9eUaw-9My7oRuwZBAD3ssQkfPM9SI7PzxPmXD9kZQxnqoR-aL-f17-2WQ&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=1ae2b3ac7735fda538c9ac4ced02afda&oe=5E15A6ED" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunisa Lee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I do not have words for how much I hate this. The division is jarring, the purpley bit is in that far-too-shiny fabric and the black part is latex looking. The contrasting sparkles don't help this situation and neither does the high neck, there is no saving this. It's almost as if it's holding her hostage with how overwhelmingly bad it is. 0/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67898137_10155559170522168_6288405752881086464_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQlVVaTp-kE13cyflZEhJJMqePJ9uIh4a7Jx32K7CldWAy7kGYMtoy_K5vGGrkSVe0M&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=c8ae9c652249c343b6556b31c82ad409&oe=5DE5C2C5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67898137_10155559170522168_6288405752881086464_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQlVVaTp-kE13cyflZEhJJMqePJ9uIh4a7Jx32K7CldWAy7kGYMtoy_K5vGGrkSVe0M&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=c8ae9c652249c343b6556b31c82ad409&oe=5DE5C2C5" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leanne Wong</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's inoffensive but that doesn't make it nice. I am so bored with this. It doesn't need to be a smorgasbord of diamonds to be interesting but it needs to do more than the bare minimum of existing. Nice colour but even that is let down by the overly shiny fabric. 1/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67641570_10155559171392168_6404987696623648768_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_oc=AQl8Kal7BhFMtoJfJ3RVrDOeiAM4I0o9odXzT_H__YqtHzJAb_STWG34CLoGQ-DRJ0Y&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=567b625c0a1bc69da29999d227963f20&oe=5DDB56C8" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67641570_10155559171392168_6404987696623648768_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_oc=AQl8Kal7BhFMtoJfJ3RVrDOeiAM4I0o9odXzT_H__YqtHzJAb_STWG34CLoGQ-DRJ0Y&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=567b625c0a1bc69da29999d227963f20&oe=5DDB56C8" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinity Thomas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Florida colours are fun and I am here for almost all of their leotards as a result. The sleeve ombre effect is stunning! The issue is the disconnect between the sleeves and the body, more could have been done to join them together a bit instead of the sleeves looking like she can rip them off mid-floor routine. Also the body is a little bit boring and lets it down a little bit. 5/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68629668_10155559171802168_6692515429010636800_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_oc=AQlxh2Sj_J1sBJmMFBfhCpkXBCZ5DDe3i1pbOi31n6tnQOVKSsi1BuXRcKG4gXQYshQ&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=05b7f40594664c4c2af6d3c199ea573a&oe=5DD6D0BF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68629668_10155559171802168_6692515429010636800_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_oc=AQlxh2Sj_J1sBJmMFBfhCpkXBCZ5DDe3i1pbOi31n6tnQOVKSsi1BuXRcKG4gXQYshQ&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=05b7f40594664c4c2af6d3c199ea573a&oe=5DD6D0BF" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simone Biles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
YES. On the other hand, super shiny is beautiful if it is a metallic effect. Bonus points for being an unusual colour, how many emerald leotards have we ever seen? The eye-catching geometric design is just enough without crossing the line of OTT and very gradual sleeve ombre is really beautiful. I love unusual and it gets a lot of points for suiting both her and Jordan down to the ground. The only criticism is it was slightly high-cut on both of them. 9/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67768023_10155559172107168_891103231705350144_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_oc=AQnGkNZPpDKkyTmfGmF71HFRj7c5jHwnQvo1rAUhHn_O-7S1NH8q2jTOcHsdKpSTs_w&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=2125061ca1d71c2d35599c2f103b4f0b&oe=5E1398E7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67768023_10155559172107168_891103231705350144_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_oc=AQnGkNZPpDKkyTmfGmF71HFRj7c5jHwnQvo1rAUhHn_O-7S1NH8q2jTOcHsdKpSTs_w&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=2125061ca1d71c2d35599c2f103b4f0b&oe=5E1398E7" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mykayla Skinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
It should be too much, and instead it is MY FAVOURITE. It's positively encrusted with sparkles and they don't let up much on the sleeves either. The design is simple but beautifully done. It's mature (do not put a leo with a low front like this on a 12 year old HOPES gymnast...ever) and she looks SO ELEGANT in it. Black can be so glam but this one is different. 10/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68886827_10155559171937168_682513179992915968_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_oc=AQmjYTU9Q0NkVxAEvWFXmgl4JgxfaLl0FSgwc_a3WYQLGClzjAkh-i-rQ2yqxOul4JY&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=a37feb5087eb25d9481aa9508491d1ab&oe=5DCE0986" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68886827_10155559171937168_682513179992915968_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_oc=AQmjYTU9Q0NkVxAEvWFXmgl4JgxfaLl0FSgwc_a3WYQLGClzjAkh-i-rQ2yqxOul4JY&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=a37feb5087eb25d9481aa9508491d1ab&oe=5DCE0986" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade Carey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Come on now...what IS this. It attracts the criticism the GAGE leo got and then some. It is drowning her out, it's a strangely scrappy body instead of a clean cut that a plain leo would really have called for and it's very boring. I have no problem with this leo in the context of 2004 and I've no problem with it at a qualifier but not at nationals. Step it up. 0/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67742325_10155559172692168_6644026635513233408_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_oc=AQmPr5VM7-JJm5kp3gtLHCfOAJ_899uBk2LvxlyIlTtZOkbJVNKXoKVvxDZE1Loly5k&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=b87fbd2a593fe94864107bfb8031e2fd&oe=5E14CAA4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67742325_10155559172692168_6644026635513233408_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_oc=AQmPr5VM7-JJm5kp3gtLHCfOAJ_899uBk2LvxlyIlTtZOkbJVNKXoKVvxDZE1Loly5k&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=b87fbd2a593fe94864107bfb8031e2fd&oe=5E14CAA4" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riley McCusker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I like the seams? And the pearls are fun. The sickly pale colour does not suit her and is too young for her. The choker is decidedly not fun and the swirls are really childish. I am NOT A FAN of MG Elite's backless leos but this is not the answer and they can do beautiful leos when they try so there is no mercy. 0/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68632736_10155559176132168_6782609596474195968_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_oc=AQnO5Ca6-PGieHVQwyk9QDD-ftPHoLn0ZiuV9t3BxlJSQzzCG8XsYAyBqgB7AD3sIqo&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=6932f7cce719d27559b0bffa1a9203c9&oe=5DE02853" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68632736_10155559176132168_6782609596474195968_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_oc=AQnO5Ca6-PGieHVQwyk9QDD-ftPHoLn0ZiuV9t3BxlJSQzzCG8XsYAyBqgB7AD3sIqo&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=6932f7cce719d27559b0bffa1a9203c9&oe=5DE02853" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shilese Jones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Great colours. I did like the purple part of the bodice sparkles...but the sparkles are really big and the firework pattern is a bit odd. Also would prefer it with longer sleeves but it gets rewarded for cut, neckline and suiting her. 6.5/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68488271_10155559176887168_305179893354725376_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_oc=AQnB_1qlK0wgt-JFSZhoxIsHB8oWHNID3BegT-Jb6tmSIYo8ZCP5WLNZYWwe0f7CbMk&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=d33b6f11883a85d4ac4fbffab0211045&oe=5DC934C7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68488271_10155559176887168_305179893354725376_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_oc=AQnB_1qlK0wgt-JFSZhoxIsHB8oWHNID3BegT-Jb6tmSIYo8ZCP5WLNZYWwe0f7CbMk&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=d33b6f11883a85d4ac4fbffab0211045&oe=5DC934C7" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan Hurd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Glam black leos get an automatic baseline of 5/10. I like the high-neck - V neck mesh/illusion style. It's quite a density of sparkles for them to just end so abruptly at the base of the ribs though. Sleeves are perfect and I love the lines following the V neck shape. 8/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67757078_10155559180372168_8467346639005155328_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_oc=AQkFY4_-ZMvWfZhwVu1wDMTTG2A6EtH9AC8LTYs96Shv6P5eDLX-1XbQH4d-zt8bRbA&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=f0df8fc2fa2326d5d588e8ff970e8531&oe=5DE4B260" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="800" height="228" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67757078_10155559180372168_8467346639005155328_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_oc=AQkFY4_-ZMvWfZhwVu1wDMTTG2A6EtH9AC8LTYs96Shv6P5eDLX-1XbQH4d-zt8bRbA&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=f0df8fc2fa2326d5d588e8ff970e8531&oe=5DE4B260" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faith Torrez</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
An actual horrorshow of a leo. You don't even need to see the whole front to imagine it. It reminds me of being at a metal gig with pyro which isn't the best of inspirations for a leo. The flames are bad, the criss cross is bad and doesn't even seem to be particularly well executed further up her side. 0/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67914930_10155559177137168_3038123388309602304_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_oc=AQl5DaMJEppdJKxXh0twHD4JGo6pPty9DM_m78I-jJKSJEybRDT7q4NumKIT0uD1hZM&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=ea65dbd650192aa851fc615fd7f4936d&oe=5DDB986A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67914930_10155559177137168_3038123388309602304_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_oc=AQl5DaMJEppdJKxXh0twHD4JGo6pPty9DM_m78I-jJKSJEybRDT7q4NumKIT0uD1hZM&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=ea65dbd650192aa851fc615fd7f4936d&oe=5DDB986A" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grace McCallum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is another 'hey it's something different?' but that doesn't neccessarily mean any points are gained. There is a lot going on here and none of is is particularly good. The upper bodice is fine and so is below the ridiculousness of the middle (mesh waist diamonds had better not catch on). The sleeves are okay even though they echo the weird diamond mess but they are too short, not a half-sleeve fan. The fact that's it's black may mean it is allowed an 'interesting/different' point. 1/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68700777_10155559173612168_8876286976521666560_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_oc=AQkwTa0SO6tg9RPVQrEZLu7eeOLPNMrslzXIFD5miKfs_C5CbopcdV4ip9A4djpRdSw&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=6af60acd08dc819725afa99f0c726ba2&oe=5DD35F83" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68700777_10155559173612168_8876286976521666560_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_oc=AQkwTa0SO6tg9RPVQrEZLu7eeOLPNMrslzXIFD5miKfs_C5CbopcdV4ip9A4djpRdSw&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=6af60acd08dc819725afa99f0c726ba2&oe=5DD35F83" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily Lee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Very alpine and very 2009! The white/dark blue contrast is great and it's a clean, athletic cut. A little dull even with the sparkles so it avoids the outright boring criticism of being completely neutral. 5/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
/End Day 1. Out of 13 different leos, 6 scored a 0 or 1 which is pretty bad in fairness. Hoping for a better day 2!<br />
<br />
<b>Senior Nationals Day 2</b> <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67867506_10155563466172168_5147688556759613440_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQk5jyzxVQ1_CgKmTkFBJ3Td0Tyn1Sk7CovgxzxyI-k2IeIsyOC-w6Er4w3lXySPG9w&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=82495c87cd9604b5f5d1d5a8657e6289&oe=5DD14ACB" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="320" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67867506_10155563466172168_5147688556759613440_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQk5jyzxVQ1_CgKmTkFBJ3Td0Tyn1Sk7CovgxzxyI-k2IeIsyOC-w6Er4w3lXySPG9w&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=82495c87cd9604b5f5d1d5a8657e6289&oe=5DD14ACB" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mykayla Skinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the highest highs to....I mean, this is brilliant. It's like a troll account on twitter that's so bad it's unexpectedly great. What's interesting is that if it wasn't high-necked it would be a complete write-off whereas the symmetry of the neck and belt give it a certain...something. Something unquantifiable. I am so conflicted. 5/10<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67824072_10155563466612168_8948731456918650880_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_oc=AQmqNciOfR1Bd7ZzJ7QYRPiEmHtkOISNuBoYAh4k5OwYyViT1_Abo04Q33v3K6_nRGk&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=0141b9eab30696c08121f443e784e0c8&oe=5DCF04FF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67824072_10155563466612168_8948731456918650880_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_oc=AQmqNciOfR1Bd7ZzJ7QYRPiEmHtkOISNuBoYAh4k5OwYyViT1_Abo04Q33v3K6_nRGk&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=0141b9eab30696c08121f443e784e0c8&oe=5DCF04FF" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67950515_10155563466597168_6105524555063754752_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_oc=AQltAomR1Vqlq_uQAyMNL_8a5lORdYcuB6A5OVnnheTHrMxRpj-Kd6rTtz5nXfc60RI&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=d54cccbac4f3c13a53091b40d6f15b27&oe=5DCB0639" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67950515_10155563466597168_6105524555063754752_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_oc=AQltAomR1Vqlq_uQAyMNL_8a5lORdYcuB6A5OVnnheTHrMxRpj-Kd6rTtz5nXfc60RI&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=d54cccbac4f3c13a53091b40d6f15b27&oe=5DCB0639" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shilese Jones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
This gets two photos because of the difference! Lovely v-neck classic leo. It's hard to mess up a white leotard they are just so pretty. Of course, you could always rip out the back of it? That would ruin it. And have the mesh go too far into the sides for good measure. The straps going out so far when she does uh, anything at all, is not a good look. I am annoyed at what this leo <i>could have been</i> 0/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67786508_10155563466992168_6363874753542881280_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQlfSpZT-wcPEV9otlUuxobdbYCfDjPvVXry8f12QpcLHERr9hjCddx2MenBd6FXRms&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=50ffc5de77a46afd4b6ee909667da16f&oe=5DCE63FC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67786508_10155563466992168_6363874753542881280_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQlfSpZT-wcPEV9otlUuxobdbYCfDjPvVXry8f12QpcLHERr9hjCddx2MenBd6FXRms&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=50ffc5de77a46afd4b6ee909667da16f&oe=5DCE63FC" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grace McCallum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I do like blue and white, but this is some sort of maple leaf on steroids. Interesting how it looks so close in style to <b>Larisa Iordache</b>'s infamous Pikachu leotard from 2012, but the yellow-and-black worked a little better with this type of sharp pattern. It's not...bad as such though. Just mad. 4/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68298521_10155563466832168_5862956093654695936_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQnaybPetCq7DCbS_1sPNLmri4Y_nUZXkkGYVkr7WBWb3_3FT1WyJqDUYT57mX-n0qY&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=a6478646bce69d9660f4c3628d575ccd&oe=5DD66DCE" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68298521_10155563466832168_5862956093654695936_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQnaybPetCq7DCbS_1sPNLmri4Y_nUZXkkGYVkr7WBWb3_3FT1WyJqDUYT57mX-n0qY&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=a6478646bce69d9660f4c3628d575ccd&oe=5DD66DCE" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabby Perea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is another dramatic turnaround from Day 1 fire disaster corset. I love the flowers! Not the choker or the black cuffs though, they don't suit it. It might have benefited from the flowers being slightly lower and some white mesh to break up the neckline a bit. Nice ombre. 7/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67825084_10155563467152168_2014639489195966464_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_oc=AQlQSgozyrzoL3KAgt3-8FUgmzsNKaXDTwfarbeY7daiqAKnQ2Ha8PDfi_YFdWGDYKQ&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=da44a1aa23534b8aac7bb29ddd6e61c2&oe=5DE3AF43" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67825084_10155563467152168_2014639489195966464_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_oc=AQlQSgozyrzoL3KAgt3-8FUgmzsNKaXDTwfarbeY7daiqAKnQ2Ha8PDfi_YFdWGDYKQ&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=da44a1aa23534b8aac7bb29ddd6e61c2&oe=5DE3AF43" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sloane Blakely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There must always be a glorious blue leotard and this is it. I like how the super popular waist sparkles are changed up, the colour changes are so pretty as well. Here for the diamond patterns down the centre and across the collarbone. Stunning. 9/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67932114_10155563467212168_6461845173767766016_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQl-zbDhv0gqgqSFd5WxA-lpTghSUjpxLi2tYE4tEfKbFo6hlnb7NT9TJeaTun1Ib8I&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=5414a6ec186da848e1ed105ef0530308&oe=5DC8B05F" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67932114_10155563467212168_6461845173767766016_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQl-zbDhv0gqgqSFd5WxA-lpTghSUjpxLi2tYE4tEfKbFo6hlnb7NT9TJeaTun1Ib8I&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=5414a6ec186da848e1ed105ef0530308&oe=5DC8B05F" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan Hurd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A violet cage? Why not! Loving the geometric trend and the deep V is lovely. The sleeves I think should have been a bit darker around the shoulders. 8/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68920731_10155563467427168_5551805869341016064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_oc=AQnKirLwquhhGVVuk4xk0fu5QNVrmzRtrDlq1iI-i1K5qgWOjkSCm5DDtgsITUdH6MA&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=f20f2d0b614e32dc423feb3da8777696&oe=5DC8434C" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68920731_10155563467427168_5551805869341016064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_oc=AQnKirLwquhhGVVuk4xk0fu5QNVrmzRtrDlq1iI-i1K5qgWOjkSCm5DDtgsITUdH6MA&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=f20f2d0b614e32dc423feb3da8777696&oe=5DC8434C" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simone Biles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nothing against Jordan but they have so many images of Simone that it's easier to get a great leotard shot. This is SO beautiful against their skin tones. Very unusual black fadeout into pink, I love it. Complemented by the pink/purple sparkles in the middle. I would have thought the jagged silver sparkles going across like that wouldn't have worked, but they do. Really unusual and great. 9/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67970847_10155563467812168_4299933197317177344_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQkPtnqFGHuhRdJkK-398qT2MJ-ge8SteqiVUSeFvJsaNo45tAzXu9IAX5LBg6rjfqY&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=b0c24b92d2f484506b649cb507c97772&oe=5DD3CA52" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67970847_10155563467812168_4299933197317177344_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQkPtnqFGHuhRdJkK-398qT2MJ-ge8SteqiVUSeFvJsaNo45tAzXu9IAX5LBg6rjfqY&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=b0c24b92d2f484506b649cb507c97772&oe=5DD3CA52" width="213" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67882415_10155563467837168_7640973284619583488_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_oc=AQlOCNL8SjRLkapNhqbVc0xnRxwA9orAi1FQLjMcKN1h7_OIHayEpRgrC-XsiRQLllw&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=38ccbdf74ae9f28ee77c1352a479bf34&oe=5DC76B61" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67882415_10155563467837168_7640973284619583488_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_oc=AQlOCNL8SjRLkapNhqbVc0xnRxwA9orAi1FQLjMcKN1h7_OIHayEpRgrC-XsiRQLllw&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=38ccbdf74ae9f28ee77c1352a479bf34&oe=5DC76B61" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinity Thomas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the front it's a classic look, great colours. Could do with something to jazz it up a bit...but the back wasn't the answer. I mean, the straps are secure and thick but it's just...too backless. It's like a swimming costume and it will always look wrong in gymnastics to me. 4/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68402065_10155563467977168_790232325576196096_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_oc=AQmX-PaMOihedgXwROXLKpJua7XYisLJK6KP0xKc0trjJOANg4bEhoLIlW4-9egy6A8&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=f3cc852f6d76bf4b51829ef7634ec423&oe=5DCC08BE" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68402065_10155563467977168_790232325576196096_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_oc=AQmX-PaMOihedgXwROXLKpJua7XYisLJK6KP0xKc0trjJOANg4bEhoLIlW4-9egy6A8&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=f3cc852f6d76bf4b51829ef7634ec423&oe=5DCC08BE" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riley McCusker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I like the ideas, but I'm not fully behind the execution. The way the pink is shrouded at the top is really cool. I's prefer if the belt was more scattered and not as obviously belt-like. Not convinced about 'gathered' fabric either it's a bit strange. 5.5/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67765133_10155563468157168_4255085350675808256_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_oc=AQn_MH0rM8hUjTl2YH9RjrqS74Ayf9l9qjKEkG5P-7ztaL6ozvH5qeQr8klQ556GtbI&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=e60d5cfc22d61ec5bdcff2e9c34f7e71&oe=5DC84DDD" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67765133_10155563468157168_4255085350675808256_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_oc=AQn_MH0rM8hUjTl2YH9RjrqS74Ayf9l9qjKEkG5P-7ztaL6ozvH5qeQr8klQ556GtbI&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=e60d5cfc22d61ec5bdcff2e9c34f7e71&oe=5DC84DDD" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunisa Lee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's about three different concepts at war with other here. The sleeves could be awesome in a matte leotard. They sort of clash with the sparkles which are in really thick lines...not the most flattering of designs. And a choker which is an automatic minus. 2/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67882109_10155563468612168_4460879773815537664_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQkba9YGHIsdWuXULC_K4brClDEWqIwDSj4nW0ra-sAUOTsCU04Ce_cvcPTTTQE-BL8&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=b911f19e12f6f57d39099641bd6d50a4&oe=5DC9639F" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67882109_10155563468612168_4460879773815537664_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQkba9YGHIsdWuXULC_K4brClDEWqIwDSj4nW0ra-sAUOTsCU04Ce_cvcPTTTQE-BL8&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=b911f19e12f6f57d39099641bd6d50a4&oe=5DC9639F" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aleah Finnegan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Great colour and the sleeves and cuff are beautiful. The belt, the spirals, the half-a-star leading to a deep V...these are not good. 2/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67593639_10155563470477168_2763878495120523264_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_oc=AQkj5JXSd_BsxE1Ft5jvcJ8Dl0-ZYZR02GgdQfw6PwPBeGQ9ssKEHGqnG_f467g2FtA&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=42061fb45b51c73c7c2b561f569c65b5&oe=5DCBBEC4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67593639_10155563470477168_2763878495120523264_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_oc=AQkj5JXSd_BsxE1Ft5jvcJ8Dl0-ZYZR02GgdQfw6PwPBeGQ9ssKEHGqnG_f467g2FtA&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=42061fb45b51c73c7c2b561f569c65b5&oe=5DCBBEC4" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade Carey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is classy, lovely V of sparkles and another win for the glam black category. 8/10<br />
<br />
There's no clear picture of <b>Emily Lee'</b>s leo so I didn't post it. It looks to be teal and inoffensive. MUCH better day 2, some real winners here.<br />
<br />
Just going to do a few stand-out juniors. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67795200_10155558848197168_1142423668232552448_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQlzOtjYg-vqd8igEEzGC1J9tAO4J_3DYOQlJk9JMQu_12y8eEfduv91XziBv9Ksskw&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=7bbea70a25ebfff6c2fb2dd683291622&oe=5DD9AEFF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67795200_10155558848197168_1142423668232552448_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQlzOtjYg-vqd8igEEzGC1J9tAO4J_3DYOQlJk9JMQu_12y8eEfduv91XziBv9Ksskw&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=7bbea70a25ebfff6c2fb2dd683291622&oe=5DD9AEFF" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyden Saltness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I need to look her up as she could not look more Irish if she tried. This is our natural colour, don't let the fake tan fool you. Anyway this is beautiful if a little intense on her colouring. The bodice is so heavily designed (hurray for geometric!) that they could have laid off on the sparkles on the sleeves, it's a little OTT on one so young. 7/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68690762_10155558849732168_1280550834379161600_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQlZlE4yFhkLAhe3huYarj9inKsm2q3OAIjfkrG-pisgeL73NwhOoKNd12sWJDr6qKY&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=bb0a15a0c223224dc11fe2c74a8eb356&oe=5DD9A68B" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68690762_10155558849732168_1280550834379161600_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQlZlE4yFhkLAhe3huYarj9inKsm2q3OAIjfkrG-pisgeL73NwhOoKNd12sWJDr6qKY&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=bb0a15a0c223224dc11fe2c74a8eb356&oe=5DD9A68B" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">eMjae Frazier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Geometric AND white AND an unusual back? Great combination. 7.5/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68517494_10155558855437168_8021541549215055872_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQkX9XydAFRdNE4gwMjGm9M5pWWITDm_WkNk6OuSlCmxLpJVwhYBcQ-ba0stK2BJW54&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=8720d0bf4a10046db92e10986fc5d8b0&oe=5DC8E50D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="800" height="228" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68517494_10155558855437168_8021541549215055872_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQkX9XydAFRdNE4gwMjGm9M5pWWITDm_WkNk6OuSlCmxLpJVwhYBcQ-ba0stK2BJW54&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=8720d0bf4a10046db92e10986fc5d8b0&oe=5DC8E50D" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katelyn Rosen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm all for purple but this is WAY too much sparkle and colour change going on. It looks like a portal is going to open from the neckline. 3/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68512139_10155558850047168_884987846815907840_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_oc=AQnyZ4yBKSG_ixmzS7fIBEXtGkb2aucwYuUGJdTNUb_HpVnR91GjWMn2O32btx8pTnE&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=d06e7e999e98599eaadb9fb0c2a95299&oe=5E103F92" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68512139_10155558850047168_884987846815907840_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_oc=AQnyZ4yBKSG_ixmzS7fIBEXtGkb2aucwYuUGJdTNUb_HpVnR91GjWMn2O32btx8pTnE&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=d06e7e999e98599eaadb9fb0c2a95299&oe=5E103F92" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciena Alipio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Such a beautiful gymnast....a nice unusual vaguely Celtic squiggle design..but the WORST colours ughh. This could have been great. 3/10<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67872998_10155558851622168_5114121411656417280_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_oc=AQnphYXAH7gN9Aa6SlB3OizPk91Xz2aaVer4ixz393eda1XKFCIWq-iaXZi_4--VBp0&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=8ae86b278180b1d00ee35a935854d6c2&oe=5DD2D181" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67872998_10155558851622168_5114121411656417280_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_oc=AQnphYXAH7gN9Aa6SlB3OizPk91Xz2aaVer4ixz393eda1XKFCIWq-iaXZi_4--VBp0&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=8ae86b278180b1d00ee35a935854d6c2&oe=5DD2D181" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67836962_10155558857032168_4331463557259460608_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_oc=AQmOeQ8P-co1tYy2T81_GU6CWisNFOU3OPQ6e-x7K8L68UCoyydrkjTFkxqoa3ocW60&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=edced39fdbdb645dc881b4fcf7dcfc1c&oe=5DCD667B" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67836962_10155558857032168_4331463557259460608_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_oc=AQmOeQ8P-co1tYy2T81_GU6CWisNFOU3OPQ6e-x7K8L68UCoyydrkjTFkxqoa3ocW60&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=edced39fdbdb645dc881b4fcf7dcfc1c&oe=5DCD667B" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Levi Jung-Ruivivar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I cannot cope with the glory and beauty of this. So soviet! The mauve matte, the high neck, the black velvet parts...it is JUST SO BEAUTIFUL. PLEASE TREND. And it just suits her so well. It comes in decently at the sides but it's just that bit too low and is really far too close at the top to coming off her shoulders. It was going to get a 12 but that brings it down to an 11/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68381583_10155563009297168_8082820416017530880_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQkoQ8K6qfaUtOn8N68WmUz5X_2iTWFz84mYcdpIBH6WmfIL7tb99b2Zd3EQDmfsVSE&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=3a47fa00264cfe85c5a52cf479d5950f&oe=5DE249E9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="800" height="228" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68381583_10155563009297168_8082820416017530880_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQkoQ8K6qfaUtOn8N68WmUz5X_2iTWFz84mYcdpIBH6WmfIL7tb99b2Zd3EQDmfsVSE&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=3a47fa00264cfe85c5a52cf479d5950f&oe=5DE249E9" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jamison Sears</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
White! And embroidered! The sleeves really work with it. The weird back cutout-cross thing is a bit jarring but otherwise great. 7/10<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68655265_10155563007247168_479985693662117888_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_oc=AQn0ESZ64G4SaYg3EAaIrhcsH4dqk4jRj7dS8ayi8_HEXp0ebfFD0JDmItvh24fIELI&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=bcb3583131d45bd0c350496cc9531de6&oe=5DDA860A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68655265_10155563007247168_479985693662117888_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_oc=AQn0ESZ64G4SaYg3EAaIrhcsH4dqk4jRj7dS8ayi8_HEXp0ebfFD0JDmItvh24fIELI&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=bcb3583131d45bd0c350496cc9531de6&oe=5DDA860A" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily Lippeatt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I love how the pattern and colour just end like it stopped loading, maybe a darker band between the two would have improved it but it's not a big deal as this is a gorgeous colour and so pretty and junior appropriate. 9.5/10<br />
<br />
In conclusion, favourite senior <b>Mykayla Skinner </b>Day 1, favourite junior <b>Levi Jung-Ruivivar </b>Day 1. I know I'm harsh which I think is a reflection on just how many styles, types, fabrics and colours that are freely available these days so standards are higher.<br />
<br />
Who were your favourites? Are you looking forward to an end of backless leos? <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-37810466433237156802019-08-15T21:55:00.000+01:002019-08-15T21:55:26.161+01:00I recovered my account!So I'm just going to ignore the fact that the overwhelming amount of blogs, twitters and gymnastics media these days made this blog feel redundant for me and keep going as if it's not a thing. Not being able to be as on top of the news/videos as I was when I wasn't working combined with a huge explosion in the gymternet meant I felt it pretty pointless to post when there were so many others with brilliant and witty writing styles doing it earlier and better but....I feel very different about it now. I still want to get my thoughts out and if anyone enjoys reading them then that's brilliant. I am moving soon...FINALLY...and I think it will really help me get into a regular posting pattern. Not that I'll chain myself to churning out content religiously in gymnastics dead season, but y'know, posting about actual events and opinions and so on. <br />
<br />
The first thing I'm going to post about is....obviously <b>Simone Biles!</b> I was reading back on my first posts about her in 2012 and 2013 (glorious multi-posting years on the dole too poor for London) and it's quite funny to see. Her power and potential was always obvious and thankfully I did note her vaulting and tumbling prowess for posterity but to see her bars and beam as massive weak points and to be afraid for her consistency just seems so bizarre now. Consistency! But this was a gymnast who began her senior career by falling at American Cup, Chemnitz and then having the disaster at Classics where she fell and was pulled from the meet. I remember the reactions well...there was a lot of talk about this powerful gymnast burning out already, not a true all-arounder who should specialise to lessen the pressure, needed someone to get her head in the game....and above all, had failed to prove herself as the top prospect heading into worlds selection. Looking at her now it's very easy to forget that her <i>double layout </i>was a big skill because ughh a double layout with no full twist or added half twist? And that her bars had with great work been brought up to an acceptable standard but were still average at best and relied on short and smart routine construction and her vault and floor d-scores in order to not drag her down. I was hoping for development, increased difficulty in line with her huge power, more control and maybe even a new skill or two on her way to Rio.<br />
<br />
What we have actually gotten during her career so far is INSANE to contemplate. An eponymous floor skill which will continue to be extremely rare due to its difficulty, a vault which is unlikely to be attempted by more than herself in the next 10 years and no less than 2 skills competed last weekend which are at the same realm of impossibility. Most skills with the exception of the Moors named in the last few codes have been stylistic choices, beam and bar mounts and a few dance skills such as turns etc. Not that they are all simple - few can do what gymnasts like Sanne Wevers can - but they are not straining the aerodynamic capabilities like all of Simone's are. 4 world AA titles, Olympic AA,multiple world EF medals every time, Olympic EF titles, 6 national titles - she has surpassed so many records and still has another worlds and Tokyo to look forward to. We are so beyond blessed to witness her past performances and what she still has to give. I appreciate that her style and brand of gymnastics is not to everyone's taste and I would never think that a "true" fan must appreciate every thing she does from her choreography up but I do think that her skill goes far beyond her impressive skills and it's the little things that should be shouted about equally. It would be easy to find someone who has prettier leaps, better toepoint, better line on bars, greater ease in dance elements and better rhythm on floor. But find me someone with a better round-off, better BHS, better block on vault. Those are the things that are truly sensational as they are what drive the incredible skills that result, of course. The drive from the BHS that she generates before the triple-double (I've never typed that here before haha because of how outlandish and <i>not a thing</i> it is) is obvious in the slow-motion video and is an absolute joy to watch because that's where her chest-up landing is coming from.<br />
<br />
I have a lot of words, and always will, but <b>Simone </b>just renders me speechless with her talent. We will never see somebody with this same combination again and the fact that she is continuing to improve and push the boundaries AFTER the Olympics is astounding. And I got to see her live at Antwerp and Glasgow! Not this year though :( The flights to Stuttgart are dirt cheap as all of Europe basically is for me but the tickets and accommodation are very expensive and it is clashing with the fact we just bought a house so....here's to Liverpool 2022!<br />
<br />
Anyway, this isn't a <b>Simone</b> blog I promise and there are several other people that I am excited about and will be talking about as I remain unpatriotically biased. Ireland sadly are still not a thing in WAG. (Gained ground in MAG though - go <b>Rhys McClenaghan!</b>) I am picky about the US girls I love, enjoy several Russian, GB, Dutch, French, Brazilian etc. and would happily die so that <b>Mai Murakami </b>could win more medals but my country favourites were and continue to be <b>Team China</b>. I am so happy to see more english language Chinese gym sources spring up - special mention to <a href="http://golden-china.tumblr.com/">Golden China</a>. It's not easy being a source for Chinese news, there is a lot of secrecy and translation is very difficult. Right now, we need to talk about <b>Ou Yushan</b>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TVBTsMsaiPE/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TVBTsMsaiPE?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
This is the Tokyo beam champion and nobody will persuade me otherwise. Of note, she has the same beam d-score as <b>Kara Eaker </b>with a <i>double twist </i>dismount but unless she breaks a connection every here is worthy of credit. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy <b>Kara </b>on beam but the ring leaps are getting old at this point and need to be switched and unfortunately her series and a few other elements don't have the same lightness as they used to it's a clunkier routine. <b>Ou Yushan</b> has it all here, beautiful leaps, extension throughout every element, amplitude on her stunning front series, that toepoint, fluidity of movement...it's a masterpiece.<br />
<br />
<b>Ou Yushan </b>took silver in the U15 AA at National Youth Games in her most recent outing, also picking up floor gold, vault bronze, bars silver and....beam gold of course. She will need to be placed in bubble wrap for Tokyo. Her d-scores everywhere except beam are typically low and helped by her exquisite execution but it will be hard to make a dent in the international AA although she is of course very young and still a junior. Bars in particular are quite bare, I'm hoping to see more connected elements there to help her over the 6.0 mark in time. She shows potential on floor and can hopefully ditch the double twist dismount and add a full twist to the double tuck and a leap/punch front to the triple twist. Her twists are so beautiful so whatever helps her keep the execution up. She really sparkles on floor too and has great expression. China have been building up vault difficulty while keeping bars and beam high but are still so weak on floor and having all-arounders with high difficulty. Rome wasn't built in a day and I have faith that Chow has and is affecting change in their training and conditioning which will reap rewards. There are other great gymnasts coming up through the ranks for them but this one has my heart for now.<br />
<br />
Do you think another female gymnast can do the triple-double...consistently? Do you want a US Nationals post or more ramblings about a few different gymnasts? Has blogging died in favour of twitter and podcasts? :p<br />
<br />
Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-46859987676847879502018-08-19T14:30:00.000+01:002018-08-19T14:30:48.544+01:00US Worlds TeamSo after a very interesting Day 1 of Nationals and before Day 2, September camp and selection...it's definitely time to start picking the worlds team.<br />
<br />
<b>Simone Biles</b><br />
<br />
Well, duhh. She was on this team when she announced her comeback. While I expected her to be at her typical level at Classics and Nationals, I didn't expect her to be <i>better than Rio</i>. Unlike others who make comebacks who might just do one or two apparatus at first at lower difficulty it was no surprise at all that she jumped in to the all-around but it's the difficulty that's shocking, to be doing more than in Rio right away. I've said this before but aside from being gobsmacked at seeing her stick a fabulous Cheng and land the best Moors there has or will ever be, it feels like a privilege to witness her in action, the greatest of all time. Especially that I have seen her live in Antwerp and Glasgow and hopefully again at Dortmund next year.<br />
<b> </b><br />
At worlds she will obviously do the AA in quals. If she can produce that same bars routine there as she did on Friday night then she should easily make bars finals. I'm very curious about where that routine would stand up internationally..it's smart and short so she doesn't stay up long enough to rack up a large amount of deductions while the upgrades will bring up her score. On the other hand, although she is not exactly a natural bars worker, the field is not at its strongest internationally so she could make inroads into the medals especially if there are mistakes. I would still be shocked if she took a medal there though unlike every other event where I'd be shocked if she did not get gold. She looks to be a sure bet for gold AA, floor gold, vault gold, very confident for beam gold, and a possible bet for a bars medal. Beyond impressive.<br />
<br />
QF - VT, UB, BB, FX <br />
TF- VT, UB, BB, FX <br />
<br />
<b>Morgan Hurd</b><br />
<br />
Morgan looks better than she did in Montreal. I'm glad the Moors is shelved at least for now, as she said herself it is not worth the difficulty advantage if it's outweighed by execution deductions. Her floor is a joy to watch, she has a great connection to the music and sells it so well. On beam she took out the front pike which she will no doubt add back in in time. The reigning world champion is more sure of herself now, she has more confidence and poise in her routines and it shows especially on beam, very crisp in her movements. 3rd at Classics but it was clear once she hit to her ability she would be second and she will retain her position as second all-arounder to <b>Simone</b>. She is good bet as a potential beam medallist, with the added boost of knowing that she scored well under the severe Montreal judges on that event so her routine will serve her well this year too. Her bars are so clean but the difficulty is not quite up there with the top so although I could see her maybe making the final depending on how others do, it would be very hard to medal in it.<br />
<br />
QF - VT, UB, BB, FX<br />
TF - (VT maybe), UB, BB, FX <br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>Jade Carey</b><br />
<br />
Unlike the other two, <b>Jade </b>still has a bit to prove to make this team. The reigning silver vault and floor worlds medallist has not looked her true self this year on vault, possibly hindered by injury. Her floor is only a few tenths in difficulty behind <b>Simone</b>'s with some seriously impressive tumbling and will score high even taking a hit on the artistry as her choreo is still fairly lacking. A good bet for silver/bronze in the floor and vault finals and can be relied upon to deliver in the team final. After struggling with the amanar, she did the DTY and Lopez on day 1. Unfortunately for her, <b>Jordan Chiles </b>has got the amanar. Both girls need the 2 events to be taken so both have work to do but <b>Jade </b>would be in the lead by a mile if she get a safe and consistent amanar back. I'm delighted she is making progress in the AA too, her bars and beam already look neater than before and it's always good to be a back-up.<br />
<b> </b><br />
QF - VT, FX<br />
TF - VT, FX<br />
<br />
<b>Riley McCusker</b><br />
<br />
<b>Riley </b>has made a remarkable comeback from injury after missing last year and is certainly doing well to place 2nd at Classics and 3rd so far in the AA rankings. <b>Morgan </b>is the stronger bet for AA at worlds so <b>Riley </b>would be a focus on beam and bars to complement <b>Jade </b>and try to make finals there as well as being a back-up AA gymnast if needed. Her bars have improved a lot form-wise but after some mistakes on day 1 she will want to hit it perfectly to prove her worth on that event.<br />
<b> </b><br />
QF - UB, BB<br />
TF - UB <br />
<br />
<b>Trinity Thomas</b><br />
<br />
The AA is covered, and TF is covered. All that remains is quals line-up to figure out - potentially giving someone else a shot at event finals. <b>Ragan </b>is too injured, <b>Emma, Maile </b>and <b>Gabby </b>are injured and unknown quantities at this point. <b>Jordan</b>'s strengths are covered by <b>Simone </b>and <b>Jade </b>and there is enough back-up for the AA already included. There is no true standout gymnast they can bring for bars, and while they could bring <b>Kara Eaker </b>for beam her connections and leaps are sadly likely to be eaten alive by the Doha panel. Enter <b>Trinity</b>.<b> </b>She's got a fabulous beam with connections and leaps that should be able to score higher than <b>Kara</b>. Her floor and bars too are valuable routines to have up their sleeve.<br />
<br />
QF - UB, BB, <br />
TF -BB, FX if needed to rest another gymnast, UB if needed<br />
<br />
Alternate - <b>Grace McCallum</b><br />
<br />
This team barely even needs an alternate they have so many back-up routines as they are all all-arounders now even <b>Jade</b>. They've got the TF figured out beautifully, AA is sorted, and plenty of shots at EF medals - <b>Simone </b>for all, <b>Jade </b>for floor and vault, <b>Riley </b>for bars and beam attempts, <b>Morgan </b>for beam and possibly floor and <b>Trinity </b>to attempt primarily beam.<br />
<b> </b><br />
With no standout gymnast on bars, it makes sense to bring someone for beam when the power events vault and floor are more than adequately covered already. <b>Kara</b>'s beam is very dodgy in terms of international scoring and <b>Riley </b>is quite stiff and slow on some of her connections at the moment so if anyone is to challenge <b>Morgan </b>and <b>Simone </b>for a place in the final while also providing solid AA cover if needed, <b>Trinity </b>is the best bet.<br />
<br />
For alternate, <b>Grace </b>is super impressive with her consistency and ability to deliver a clean, solid routine on all events. Ideal.<br />
<br />
Of course, there are a lot of variables with this team other than the two all-arounders. If <b>Jade </b>does not get the amanar back and <b>Jordan </b>gets her floor under control, I'd bring her. If <b>Trinity </b>decides not to attend selection camp, I'd bring <b>Kara</b>. There are so many amazing gymnasts - even without all those out with injury - that would be snatched in a second by any other team, but who unfortunately do not fit into this one.<br />
<br />
Who's on your team? Or will the vicious subteweeting bring down this team before they even get to team finals? <br />
<b> </b>Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-54373854753771383412018-06-05T22:52:00.000+01:002018-06-05T22:52:00.166+01:00Why you should root for ChinaMuch of the reason why I love Chinese gymnastics boils down to amplitude and extension. Thankfully these days we are seeing more expressive floor routines and much more effort being put into choreography. This is a direct and welcome result of the heavy artistry deductions in the code. Likewise the skill cap (i.e the exact opposite of the bars and beam routines from 2005-2008 giving these gymnasts a weighted advantage) and the devaluing of vault (goodbye 6.5 amanar of the following quad after that giving USA a huge boost) has meant that execution is more important now in holding on to valuable tenths. Not that the race for higher d-scores or racking up connection bonus are no longer things, but certainly there is a greater emphasis now on cleaning up routines than there has been in the past under this code. You tend to hear a lot more 'getting back into the gym to clean up my routines' now than 'I'm so happy I hit 4 for 4'. Several countries such as Netherlands, Belgium etc. are making names for themselves for expressive, intricate choreography and there is beautiful execution to be found in abundance in every federation, even the *gasp* power gymnast strongholds of the USA and the UK. But amplitude and full extension as a trait is harder to find. Thankfully, that's where China step in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Of course, there are several gymnasts with great amplitude on vault. And floor. <b>Simone Biles </b>exemplifies this, driven from the technical perfection she displays. And there are gymnasts with flighty bars elements and nice, high beam layouts. <b>McKayla Maroney </b>of all people had an extremely high and flighty geinger which was a thing of beauty. But many powerhouse gyms and gymnasts fall flat when it comes to amplitude on beam and bars. Too often we are seeing beams with difficult tumbling ruined by weak leaps, low landings and bad toepoint. Bars with release moves and difficult transitions in combination can often suffer from flexed feet and legs apart that quickly destroy the overall beauty. A routine that has it all is to be prized.<br />
<br />
Back to beam; there are many beam layouts in particular as a skill example worthy of devaluing. If it's not piked down and legs are together I'll like it but if it flairs or opens out I LOVE it. Similarly, I'll take a springy well-executed leap series with a wobble than a perfectly landed one with anaemic leaps. BHS-LOSO-LOSO is one of my favourite beam series and its popularity and popularity in the past does not in any way diminish it for me. If the legs are straight and toes pointed I am delighted but it's so much better if the chest is upright between landing skills and if a split or near-split is achieved. It seems that these days the emphasis in a series like that is solely on keeping it clean and in line with the beam and quick enough for credit but that the emphasis on making those skills individually beautiful or noteworthy is gone.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/de/d6/49/ded6496df34948b6e263013eec025a5e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="638" height="212" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/de/d6/49/ded6496df34948b6e263013eec025a5e.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordyn Wieber BHS - </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR8QowagM8GT3zI2TGYi42yhgcfLsyTfJ5eXXMeZ3imc2HVQRe5dg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR8QowagM8GT3zI2TGYi42yhgcfLsyTfJ5eXXMeZ3imc2HVQRe5dg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deng Linlin BHS - from decencybedamned tumblr</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTt9uyVtb8nw_wiBYWhiJjzlpnwxD2bFPe8gGOoMuoPHdCdBc9C" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="180" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTt9uyVtb8nw_wiBYWhiJjzlpnwxD2bFPe8gGOoMuoPHdCdBc9C" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deng Linlin layout - copyright inside gymnastics</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/0821_spo_ldn-l-gymnastics-12.jpg?w=620" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="620" height="236" src="https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/0821_spo_ldn-l-gymnastics-12.jpg?w=620" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ragan Smith layout - copyright ocregister</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e0/a2/d9/e0a2d941233cd0b8a71802893404d0f0--womens-gymnastics-tans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="236" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e0/a2/d9/e0a2d941233cd0b8a71802893404d0f0--womens-gymnastics-tans.jpg" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqemdkSKPjbH3GO-PbDLsbXPiAb6uslN2wft-M0zzn-DP-YR_g3A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="282" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqemdkSKPjbH3GO-PbDLsbXPiAb6uslN2wft-M0zzn-DP-YR_g3A" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tan Sixin YOG 2010 is poetry in motion. Beautiful leap miles above the beam and what a line on bars. Taken from pinterest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Seeing Kui Yuanyuan lose sight of the beam and wobble slightly on a layout full in combination because she had flown into the rafters with it is an absolute joy to me. That is a skill that to this day is rare and even then with questionable body position. And of course, the beam of the 80's and 90's was less springy than it is now. Think about the hype that Nia Dennis, Morgan Hurd, Gabby Douglas and Viktoria Komova get/got for landing their standing fulls/arabians in an upright position. It just looks so much more impressive. But it's not just the acro, I live to see leap series, straddles especially, with big amplitude. Leaps are of course where things like extension become more noticeable too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/K4S7-30f124/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K4S7-30f124?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yep, the beam final that Gina Gogean won</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZWn2T8FRvKY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZWn2T8FRvKY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">There are pretty layouts and then there's this</span></div>
<br />
Russian gymnasts can show some beautiful extension but pale in comparison to the overall extension-amplitude-form-execution of China. Flexed feet are not as glaringly obvious as they have been in quads gone by, existing for the most part on bars and mid-leap. Certainly some countries who are the worst offenders are placing emphasis on toepoint and maintaining it throughout the routine which is obviously great as flexed feet are very jarring and break the line. But true and proper extension cannot be tacked on at a later stage and must be cultivated from a young age. i.e programmes must incorporate it from the very beginning.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/olga-mostepanova-does-her-routine-on-the-balance-beam-mandatory-tony-picture-id245031" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/olga-mostepanova-does-her-routine-on-the-balance-beam-mandatory-tony-picture-id245031" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">copyright - getty images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Olga Mostepanova </b>had extension in spades. The reason why her split handstand sequence at the beginning of her beam stands out so much and also looks markedly different to other variations of it we have seen since is because it is <i>perfect</i>. Her toes are not just pointed, they are in a perfect line extending from the hips and through the knee. This is of course most often seen in ballet where it is essentially a requirement but was gloriously common in gymnastics throughout the 80's and 90's. <b>Olga </b>fully deserved that perfect 40 for the sublime perfection she brought to the sport.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIJpkRxLmNY8_QTngpFNO3_WIhpSjFCCxE-_2OI2UXtFHQ9I7T8RrcNyfcU5RddHMoaLPm_hg_M3uEha60gV0gTaMN4171H3METWN36wH4OCYJO-EZIKTiUaUyH3X5R3JZmJeMrWxoP0/s1600/index.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIJpkRxLmNY8_QTngpFNO3_WIhpSjFCCxE-_2OI2UXtFHQ9I7T8RrcNyfcU5RddHMoaLPm_hg_M3uEha60gV0gTaMN4171H3METWN36wH4OCYJO-EZIKTiUaUyH3X5R3JZmJeMrWxoP0/s1600/index.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fan Ye extension for days - copyright getty images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Extension extends (haha..) itself to bars too. A perfect bodyline is most obvious in handstand with the dead straight line going from wrists through shoulders, hips and knees to toes. It should stay the same throughout giants excepting clearing the bar or tap swings and pirouetting skills. Most gymnasts have a straight upper body by the virtue of being in the handstand position at all and straight legs/toes but the vast majority are not fully extended at the hips. This can sometimes be obvious as a slight pike position is seen in profile or less so in that the position seems straight but is nevertheless not fully extended so the line isn't as good as it could be. Note the 2008 bars final as a classic example. He Kexin and Yang Yilin had perfectly extended pencil-like straight form throughout their routines. Liukin also exhibited a beautiful bodyline and showed it especially through her pirouettes just like the other two but her line is lacking the tension and total core tightness of the others.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRr7__veZY3_QOCkydGqgg7JEx0BaQWV2CFCSLuYpkSm05zNY-TPg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRr7__veZY3_QOCkydGqgg7JEx0BaQWV2CFCSLuYpkSm05zNY-TPg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He Kexin - copyright intlgymnast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRNS3SFr5mMkTvI1l4xZQJtAYoOgxa0OkrkfkCN24uG97NT5w-i" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="170" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRNS3SFr5mMkTvI1l4xZQJtAYoOgxa0OkrkfkCN24uG97NT5w-i" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nastia Liukin - taken from alibaba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The extension is what makes sets Chinese barwork apart. It will always have that edge over Russian or any other standout routine as a result even if it has other flaws (we all really love dead hangs). It adds a cleanness, precision and sharpness to each skill. Watching a shaposhnikova with arms extended regrasp and turn precisely into the next skill is thrilling, as is seeing a pirouette snap back into position after the rotation. It's as noticeable to me compared to a less-tight routine as the difference between <b>Madison Kocian</b>'s and <b>Viktoria Komova</b>'s inbars i.e. they look like different skills.<br />
<br />
It's not that I don't see the absolutely massive flaws and problems Team China is dealing with. They overemphasise bars and beam to the detriment of other events, they are still dealing with filtering for body type, they don't have the conditioning of certain other federations and they will never challenge for gold without being able to field solid DTY's and strong floors. There are no <b>Cheng Fei</b>'s climbing through the ranks and although they do have talent on vault/floor it's not enough and it's not present in their AA gymnasts. I will enjoy watching a floor routine with beautiful leaps, turns and execution but if it's coming from a top 4 nation and it's another triple full-double tuck-2.5 twist derivative....I have no patience for that. I can't root for 5.3 or worse floors being fielded as some of the best on offer and never will.<br />
<br />
BUT...by god do they do the other events in such style. I can't not be excited at seeing such dedication to the form and the finesse of the skill that they have always and continue to show in their work. Not that there aren't form issues amongst their ranks but as a whole they are carried by beautiful extension, amplitude and execution. China need to go more mainstream. We know the names of the top gymnasts in the rest of the top 4/5 countries and it's not just language barrier/different social media that's the issue. There's a general lack of interest or some inherent dislike and when these gymnasts are performing such beautiful gymnastics it's a crying shame. The age scandals (which I absolutely could not care less about as they only rear their head when there's a significant threat of the US being beaten) seem to have cast a lingering shadow over Team China. More accessible than ever on youtube, these girls need to be celebrated more. GO CHINA!!<br />
<br />
<br />Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-42474741308517020002018-04-30T19:20:00.001+01:002018-04-30T21:59:56.273+01:00ThingsOkay, I have a major issue with blogging and working full-time. Plenty manage it but I struggle to find the motivation and energy. There's a reason why a lot of this blog was written while I was unemployed. Anyway, my passion for the sport is the same. I am recovering from wisdom teeth surgery at the moment but I aim not to need to be post-op to actually blog.<br />
<br />
Anyway, Pac Rims! Nice of Flo Gymnastics to allow USAG to upload videos of their athletes 24 hours later I suppose, much better than trying to find secret uploads somewhere. <b>Morgan Hurd </b>debuted a fabulous floor routine, I feel it's a great match for her and she really gets into the music and sells the choreography well. Although it was always something she's been good at, it's great to see her develop and I'm excited to see what her routine will be like in 2020 as her potential continues to grow. Beam aside, (which USAG have not uploaded) I don't feel she was as sharp here as she was at American Cup. Which is no bad thing, she doesn't need to be and shouldn't be at the top of her game in April with the summer competitions ahead of her and worlds several months away. Her double-double landing on floor was lower than normal but it's one of the few American ones that are fully secure and not too low so that's fine. Bars seemed to me to be not as crisp and flowy as normal although still very clean and technically good, just some of the ease was missing. Again, fine for this time of year. It's the beam dismount that's worrying, I hope they scrap it immediately and go back to the double pike or try a twisting dismount. It's incredibly dangerous to have a gymnast compete a dismount that they cannot land properly as it means they have a much smaller margin of error were something to go wrong on take-off, which by all accounts it did in the team/AA, although I have not seen it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8i74oComx-l5BW75OIR3cHrii4SwgFgeGDSoCJb04X1AByUFXTC-LeKhlr99tPPBBunAaUaHCTim-d_kQy0ma9Oiq3LCUAuTQW6sYOzPZYnMRFFAS8-jFq4A-_hPNEx1YjcRvo7HJQc/s1600/Screenshot+from+2018-04-30+13-25-18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8i74oComx-l5BW75OIR3cHrii4SwgFgeGDSoCJb04X1AByUFXTC-LeKhlr99tPPBBunAaUaHCTim-d_kQy0ma9Oiq3LCUAuTQW6sYOzPZYnMRFFAS8-jFq4A-_hPNEx1YjcRvo7HJQc/s320/Screenshot+from+2018-04-30+13-25-18.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here it is from podium training. This just screams 'NO', it's so not worth the landing deductions. Her face is miles below waist level and her knees are taking a huge strain with her body that bent over.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoGqPMJ4VmK0fG6JRug2tEc6jzM4_tiN5tJ8cPwkUXIa3z-_nXli8nbTvpWpfL4jHsZ7QZDe7E8ruWOImboK-_jjW3ztzDOyP95KYHzYBqjMXn58uddP8eRbGNe3F8f5CDU-jGOlJEFg/s1600/Screenshot+from+2018-04-30+13-23-35.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoGqPMJ4VmK0fG6JRug2tEc6jzM4_tiN5tJ8cPwkUXIa3z-_nXli8nbTvpWpfL4jHsZ7QZDe7E8ruWOImboK-_jjW3ztzDOyP95KYHzYBqjMXn58uddP8eRbGNe3F8f5CDU-jGOlJEFg/s320/Screenshot+from+2018-04-30+13-23-35.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And here it is from American Cup. A disaster waiting to happen, thankfully <b>Morgan </b>is fine and managed floor right after her scary fall at Pac Rims and withdrawing from EF was just a precaution but I hope this is a lesson learnt for her coaches. Impressively hard dismounts need to be landed safely to be impressive.<br />
<br />
She is not the only gymnast, nor even the only American<b> </b>gymnast with a low landing on her beam dismount or a non-textbook set on take-off, but the difficulty of the dismount and the amount that's packed into it makes it far scarier.<br />
<br />
Moving on. All in all, Pac Rims to me fell completely flat without the participation of China and Japan. A great pity <b>Brooklyn Moors </b>withdrew at the last minute but there were what sounds like (maybe I might get to see them at some stage?) standout performances from plenty of gymnasts such as <b>Marcia Videaux </b>of Cuba on vault, <b>Nicolle Castro </b>of Mexico on floor and <b>Zoe Allaire-Bourgie </b>of Canada on bars.<br />
<br />
<b>Jordan Chiles </b>is going to have a very tough time fitting into a team line-up this quad. A vault/floor specialist when the likes of <b>Jade Carey </b>and of course <b>Simone Biles </b>will be in the picture is not ideal. Still, she's very enjoyable to watch on both events and is a good alternate option perhaps, although <b>Grace McCallum </b>is very strong also with incredible ease in her vaulting and tumbling. I don't know enough about <b>Kayla DiCello </b>and <b>Jordan Bowers </b>although the latter in particular is intriguing, anyone who keeps their legs and knees and feet together throughout a double front and a tucked full-in gets my attention. Super clean and light tumbler, and although she came to grief on beam and isn't quite as clean there, there were a LOT of beam falls anyway and her beam structure is fascinating and seems well within her grasp. <b>Sunisa Lee </b>on the other hand seems to be doing too much difficulty, I don't really get the point of stacking her bars and beam that high when she struggles to hit them consistently and gets sloppy in the effort. Dump the Nabieva, taper down all of her beam connections and re-focus on the basics and she could be amazing.<br />
<br />
In other news, <b>Mai Murakami </b>has won All Japan Nationals! It is heartwarming to see her this good and this consistent and this high-scoring and seemingly still improving, sooo many years into her career. In 2011 and 2012 she showed high difficulty but weakness and inconsistency. Seeing her gold-medal winning floor and her medal ceremony in person in Montreal is a real highlight of mine. Her scores here probably have some slight bias in them, but she remains a huge AA contender, creeping higher now every year. Thrilled to see her go out and hit her full floor difficulty as if it's nothing, showing no signs of slowing down. Japan really are great at holding on to their gymnasts for years. <b>Asuka Teramoto</b>, <b>Aiko Sugihara </b>and <b>Sae Miyakawa </b>(who badly needs to medal on floor this year) all show no signs of going anywhere either. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/m89tmoHzvVI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m89tmoHzvVI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Speaking of veterans, it was great to see <b>Aliya Mustafina</b>, <b>Viktoria Komova </b>and <b>Tatiana Nabieva </b>at Russian Nationals recently. <b>Aliya </b>in particular, given that this is her competitive debut since giving birth, was particularly impressive and showed her DTY, full bars routine minus the inbars and her double arabian on floor. In an absolutely unsurprising twist, her beam is still relying on the same dodgy barely-an-acro-series for credit and is the event she was the weakest on. Understandably, she noticeably tired as the competition went on and had the greatest issues on vault where she scarily crashed a 1.5 intended to be a DTY but this lack of stamina is not a worry whatsoever at this point, she is extremely well versed in pacing herself and will no doubt steadily increase her ability to withstand competition until worlds itself. Recent news of her divorce makes her performances at Nationals even more impressive. What an athlete. <b>Viktoria</b> is that bit more together in her preparation and seems more equal overall in her AA effort, it will be fascinating to see how they progress. Against the backdrop of the two greats coming back, it was just amazing to witness the triumph of <b>Angelina Melnikova</b>, with such huge potential and so often such massive falls and flaws, hit every single routine and sweep the golds. I really hope she can continue the momentum and hit when it counts.<br />
<br />
While never doubting the ability of <b>Simone Biles </b>to bounce back and have her Rio difficulty ready to go, it is mindblowing first to hear that she has it back, and then to witness further upgrades, including never-before-done crazy-Simone-level ones. Her coaching change was always going to be interesting in terms of her bars, as before although they were very smartly composed and kept deductions to a minimum, they were never a piece she was going to consistently make finals with. Now though, she presents with a shap-half, new Jaeger <i>and </i>a Fabrichnova dismount. Her form and technique, bolstered by new difficulty, could absolutely propel her into bars finals. Being coached now by the Landis who would have the WOGA-focus on bars is also going to have an impact on the ease and her swing in the routine. These are upgrades we will more than likely see in summer as her bars are going to need as much competitive repetition as they can get, as it's more than likely going to be significantly different than her old routine. Beam looked the same, still the same impressive skills with the casual addition of a double-double dismount which has of course, never been done. I would imagine that it's not going to replace her current full-in, but will be prepared so that she can throw it in sometimes. Podium training at all competitions, competitively at one day of Nationals, again at camp and worlds quals and EF but sticking to the full-in for AA and TF.<br />
<br />
On floor we see two new passes as well as a gloriously easy and high double-double and double layout. The Moors looks all too easy for her, although not on a competition floor. The front full into full-in leap is a very fun pass, it looks incredible and is of course very impressive for what will surely be her last pass. For the other 3 she has a double-double, Biles, full-in DLO and now a Moors to play around with so even in an era of <b>Jade Carey</b>, <b>Sae Miyakawa </b>and <b>Mai Murakami<i>, </i></b>her floor difficulty will still be ahead of the pack. Vault, ha. I would have thought having the Mustafina and amanar back would be impressive enough. She has <i>a TTY and Cheng</i>. Good god. I cannot wait to see her compete again. The sentiment of 'ugh it's so boring when she wins all the time and now she's going to come back and take all the golds away it's so unfair' to me is absolutely ridiculous. We saw the best of all time, and now we have the privilege to see her again <i>with added difficulty</i>. It is the kind of prospect that will see me at worlds next year.<br />
<br />
Next week will see the start of<b> </b>Chinese Nationals. I am really hoping to see a possible worlds team with a good few options emerge. <b>Chen Yile </b>will be the most nervewracking one to watch due to her absolutely massive potential. Curious to see what <b>Shang Chunsong </b>looks like, although of course she is competing to help out her province and her appearance does not signal any international comeback. Depending on what platform videos end up on, I'll go through the competition here when it's over. <br />
<br />
<br />Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-88920226824033359102017-08-22T00:16:00.000+01:002017-08-22T00:16:40.402+01:00Can we talk about Kara Eaker?My sentiments re: <b>Shang Chunsong </b>getting robbed in Rio of just over a year ago still stand by the way.<br />
<br />
Anyway. <b>Kara. Eaker. </b>WOW. The most exciting gymnast since <b>Simone Biles</b> (LOL since she is commencing training/being back in the gym), and in a completely different way. GAGE has been producing gymnasts with style, finesse, poise and precision in their skills for a very long time, and many of them have been noted beam workers. <b>Kara</b>, though, stands out for just being particularly excellent at combining all of these qualities (even the way she <i>moves on the beam </i>is worthy of a masterclass for the rest of the elites) with great tumbling and form. Some GAGE elites have been let down by small things such as soft knees on beam skills (pet hate) or open pikes, to the much more enormous flaws of inconsistency or bars that are just average. Not <b>Kara</b>. Powerful and elegant, she has the makings of a great all-arounder. Admittedly she has just a FTY for now while there are younger than her with strong DTY's, but <i>what a vault</i>. Textbook block, perfect form in the air - dead straight, no leg/foot crossing, great height and distance. Stuck on day 1 and a tiny step on day 2...it's quality, and ripe for an upgrade for next year. It will probably look like that of fellow GAGE gymnast and vault event winner, <b>Leanne Wong</b>, that is, glorious. <b>Leanne </b>currently has the edge on her on floor also, while both girls set their tumbling very well and have a significantly greater command on their dance skills than a lot of the other juniors, <b>Leanne </b>has greater difficulty. <b>Kara </b>opens with a double pike and her second pass is a forward pass more commonly seen in NCAA, but there is a lot of ease in her routine which speaks of her ability to add difficulty steadily.<br />
<br />
It's beam that sets the two apart. <b>Leanne </b>has a very good beam. <b>Kara</b>'s is an exquisite work of art that fully deserved to beat both the junior and senior field individually on both nights and combined. Perfection, and a great combination of elegance, flexibility, and well-executed acro. A great pity that <b>Leanne </b>got lost on bars on day 2 to really challenge the podium but both have really made their mark as ones to watch.<br />
<br />
<b>Leanne </b>and <b>Kara </b>shone in their first elite season, but the battle was of course between <b>Emma Malabuyo </b>and <b>Maile O'Keefe</b>, the latter being the reigning junior champion. These two are well matched,<b> </b>both strong all-arounders with <b>Maile</b>'s beam as her stand-out event and <b>Emma</b>'s floor as hers. Both super-clean with stacked difficulty, these two are far more exciting to watch than anyone in the senior session, by far. Although it is hard to fault <b>Emma</b>, I was rooting for <b>Maile </b>as I find her that bit more interesting with perhaps more potential - although that's very hard to quantify as both seem to have much more to give. Both powerful, but clean and elegant. I was very impressed with <b>Maile </b>staying so calm under pressure for 7 of her routines over the course of the weekend as she gained, lost, regained then retained her very slim lead over <b>Emma</b>, helped by the beam scoring, <b>Emma</b>'s slightly weaker bars before of course the disaster on beam day 2 which sealed the deal for <b>Maile</b>'s victory. I can't wait for these two to turn senior next year and shake things up.<br />
<br />
A moment of silence for some absolutely shocking leaps both days. The likes of baby <b>Sienna Robinson </b>coming back from hamstring injury are excused, but wow, what is the point of throwing in a seriously risky leap that is not going to get credit because it is a) not split and b) not fully around. By all means train them, but they shouldn't be competed like that. It goes beyond front leg below horizontal, some of the harder leaps on beam and floor gave me an ache to watch Chinese nationals instead. If your straddle half and switch half on beam don't at least resemble <b>Jay Jay Marshall</b>'s, then compete the easier leaps and rack up bonus some other way.<br />
<br />
I mind the leaps far more than the oh-so-hyped dreaded wolf turns. Most wolf turns are at least done speedily now and much less wobbly than when they were an influx as a new thing. Presumably coaches have gotten better at training them as well as the gymnasts who have been doing them for years now. The flexed-foot ones like <b>Alyona Shchennikova</b>'s are decidedly not fun and the people who do them in combination have too much of a stop-start interrupted flow immediately in their beam routines, but other than that, I can totally live with them.<br />
<br />
And of course, the best wolf turn is <b>Jordan Chiles</b>' botched wolf turn-Okino. What an absolutely fabulous save, not least because it was more of a passive unconscious save than most on beam, but also because it was the easiest Okino or triple turn anywhere that I've ever seen, she looked like she could have done another 3 or 4 rotations easily. Just a great moment. It's great to see <b>Jordan </b>competing strong again too. As a baby junior, she impressed with some crazy skills in training in the gym along with an actual amanar, before battling to come back from injury. I don't think this is her year, it's quite a small team. But with the news that she is working on a second vault - the Lopez - she could quite easily fit in to the picture next year.<br />
<br />
In case you're wondering, I have not watched the seniors all the way through. This is because the junior streams started at 9pm and 7pm respectively for me both nights, but the seniors were at something like 3am and 12am as a result. I could maybe have done the Sunday one if I wasn't getting up for work at 6am. I also have far less incentive and motivation to commit like that for the seniors as I find them far less exciting than the juniors. Also, at the moment I cannot really get behind either <b>Ragan Smith</b> or <b>Riley McCusker</b> which is a bit of a problem, given that they are the prominent all-arounders. <b>Ragan </b>has never been a favourite of mine and I'm not entirely sure why. She is clearly immensely talented and has made huge improvement on bars to bring them up to her all-around standard, and she's clearly strong on beam and floor in particular. I enjoy her set and landing of her beam skills along with her choreography and dance on both beam and floor, I just find that something's off, for me. Clearly a sparky gymnast but I'm not feeling it. <b>Riley </b>has really made strides on bars with some impressive work there, but much like <b>Laurie </b>she has an odd swing at times and is a little flat. Nice on beam but again, not really exciting. Still, great to see her bounce back from injury after a less-than-stellar Classics although her FTY meant she lost out in ranking to <b>Jordan Chiles</b>.<br />
<br />
I much prefer <b>Morgan Hurd </b>and <b>Trinity Thomas</b>. Neither really scream 'perfect all-arounder' yet since <b>Morgan </b>has consistency issues still, though there's always hope she'll overcome them completely when it counts, and while <b>Trinity </b>is a super exciting package of pure bouncy power and surprisingly great leaps and beam skills, she's not as well balanced as some others, with weaker bars and a FTY, although it's another that looks well able for upgrade. Such potential! Very remeniscent of early <b>Simone Biles</b>. <b>Morgan </b>on the other hand is similar to the likes of <b>Emma Malabuyo </b>and <b>Gabby Perea </b>(sadly a one-eventer here due to injury) with super-clean work and slowly building difficulty to match. Interesting times ahead hopefully. <br />
<br />
<b>Jade Carey</b>, who came out of nowhere this year at Classics with passes on floor of a full-twisting DLO and a Dos Santos 2, and an amanar and tsuk double under her belt, didn't have the Nationals she was hoping for. As a senior, she really needed to hit both of those events well both days to carve her niche as a specialist and to prove her consistency, more important than most due to her lack of elite background. Still, worlds teams are truly formed at camps.<br />
<br />
<b>Deanne Soza </b>still seems to be a work in progress. I have been hoping for so much from her for so long to get it together and build her difficulty but really, I like to just block out the hopes and dreams now and focus on the aesthetic of her work. Such toepoint, such perfect pike, tuck, everything position. Such <i>glory </i>in her routines. I am delighted to see her as part of a team in her gym and although I will always hold out hope for her to launch forward as a major team prospect, I'm trying to focus on happiness that she continues to grace elite competitions with her presence, and that she has all the makings of an NCAA star.<br />
<br />
Back to the juniors, how great was it to see <b>Viktoria Smirnov </b>nail her beam both days after having an utter meltdown on the same event at Classics? Heartwarming. And lovely to see her confidence at such a young age. Although it really must be nice for your feet to fit so much better on the beam when you're that small. Likewise <b>Sienna Robinson </b>showed nice work on beam, stronger on day 2....and....nailed her bars routine to heartwarming applause after busting her nose off the bar on recatch during warm-ups. Delighted she not only competed right after, but had the wherewithal and competitive ability to block it out and compete strongly. Great work.<br />
<br />
When you have standouts in juniors such as <b>Maile</b> and <b>Emma</b>, stunning newcomers like <b>Leanne </b>and <b>Kara</b>, powerhouses in the making like <b>Jay Jay Marshall </b>and <b>JaFree Scott</b> and the ever distracting impressive baby gymnasts - <b>Viktoria Smirnov, Lily Lippeat, Sienna Robinson, Love Birt </b>(I will never get over that name) and <b>Annie Beard</b>, others can get a bit lost. But pay attention to <b>Ciena Alipio</b>. Let it be known that of all the gymnasts competing at the weekend, she was the one with the best line on bars, the only one out of the routines I watched that truly and fully extended through the hips. Others nailed handstands at times, but <b>Ciena</b>'s line genuinely looked Chinese in its exquisiteness. Of course, she had a large error on bars day 1 and made mistakes day 2 also, but she is a lovely dancer, clean tumbler, some really nice leaps (and some not so nice turns and leaps on beam) and generally has a lot of positives in her gymnastics for such a newcomer flying under the radar. One to keep an eye on.<br />
<b> </b><br />
Of course, we need to talk about leotards. While I can see that some may find lots of the leotards worn over the weekend to be overly glitzy, busy or just 'too much', I'm all for this trend. I'd take it any day over the two-tone swirls and 'mountains' ever-present GK leotards of a quad or so ago. Amazing how the technology has come on, <b>Nastia Liukin </b>must have been fuming given the monstrosities she put up with. It's really hard to pick an ultimate fave, such was the quality on offer. <b>Kim Zmeskal</b>'s collection her 6 girls were sporting both days had some real standouts, the best were <b>Ragan Smith </b>Day 2 and <b>Sydney Barros </b>Day 2. While I'm not usually a big mesh fan, <b>Maile O'Keefe </b>had stunning leos both days, very unusual and striking. I was also a fan of the glam black look being sported on day 2 by Gage, First State and a few others. White too was a good colour both days. Long live not-hot-pink.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20882844_10154158884802168_4987614470213516361_n.jpg?oh=d5f227aa074e4f6cba27344ffb4d2ca1&oe=5A3516D9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20882844_10154158884802168_4987614470213516361_n.jpg?oh=d5f227aa074e4f6cba27344ffb4d2ca1&oe=5A3516D9" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riley McCusker - Copyright: John Cheng</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm a sucker for lilac. Interesting ombre tones on this and sparkles and beads. Not sure about that beaded murder slash on the stomach but it's different and it's got pretty beads, so there's that. 7.5/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20915534_10154158882282168_2104685400095347929_n.jpg?oh=a8b02d2efbf1e10fb072ae57bc63c863&oe=5A32900C" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20915534_10154158882282168_2104685400095347929_n.jpg?oh=a8b02d2efbf1e10fb072ae57bc63c863&oe=5A32900C" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ragan Smith - Copyright - John Cheng</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Stops just short of being too busy, it's just right. Stunning white in the main, pretty pink ombre sleeves. Love the silver crystal swirl detailing on the neck and sleeves that make it stand out and the 'bandage' detail on the front and pink version on the back really lift it and make it stand out. 9/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20953530_10154158883612168_8774668559441337819_n.jpg?oh=4d633d936b0ada53e2357bb130cbb258&oe=5A2C0C4A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20953530_10154158883612168_8774668559441337819_n.jpg?oh=4d633d936b0ada53e2357bb130cbb258&oe=5A2C0C4A" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney Johnson-Scharpf - Copyright - John Cheng</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Sydney </b>had a great gothic look going on here. This gets a lot of points for being interesting. 6/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20915480_10154158318237168_2301563396452435949_n.jpg?oh=a027f11662c40909e71e97662645ad34&oe=5A2B76A7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20915480_10154158318237168_2301563396452435949_n.jpg?oh=a027f11662c40909e71e97662645ad34&oe=5A2B76A7" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabby Perea - Copyright - John Cheng</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Another unusual one, though not exactly Hallowe'en themed this time. The silver against the magenta and white was just stunning, and I loved how the other side just had a waist band of the patterned magenta. Really beautiful design and gorgeous on. 9/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20915209_10154158321122168_5097473743185148243_n.jpg?oh=f9c7444661cd5747609d9303eea7f607&oe=5A1B266F" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="320" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20915209_10154158321122168_5097473743185148243_n.jpg?oh=f9c7444661cd5747609d9303eea7f607&oe=5A1B266F" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney Barros - Copyright - John Cheng</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The kind of leotard that needs to be seen in motion to fully appreciate. Just beautiful, really stood out. Love the black detailing too, wouldn't change anything about it. 9/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20953641_10154158885902168_8872341579340336555_n.jpg?oh=9d51b437d4c9bc83fe4ed989a1ab414a&oe=5A15C6A9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20953641_10154158885902168_8872341579340336555_n.jpg?oh=9d51b437d4c9bc83fe4ed989a1ab414a&oe=5A15C6A9" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abi Walker - Copyright - John Cheng</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's <b>Tatiana Groshkova </b>inspired. Default 10/10<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20953818_10154153733767168_2142961413598930634_n.jpg?oh=7016a84ad09e66d8d3c272e66ae8aa63&oe=5A342D3B" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20953818_10154153733767168_2142961413598930634_n.jpg?oh=7016a84ad09e66d8d3c272e66ae8aa63&oe=5A342D3B" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maile O'Keefe - Copyright - John Cheng</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I hated it. Then I was confused. Then love blossomed. 9/10<br />
<br />
Moving on though to things such as how Nationals has helped us form the worlds team. Well, <b>Ragan</b> has her spot secured. <b>Riley</b> probably does too, but possibly as a bars specialist/beam back-up rather than full-on AA. FTY's hurt at this level.<b> Jade </b>is battling it out with <b>Jordan </b>for the vault specialist spot with bonus floor. <b>Jade</b>'s got the difficulty on floor but will get murdered for her dance elements, so there's that. Also her vaults are not fail-safe at this point so she has a lot to prove. <b>Jordan</b>'s second vault when she unleashes it is of lower value than <b>Jade</b>'s second vault, but <b>Jordan</b>'s more consistent so far, has been an elite a lot longer, and is much more of an all-arounder. <b>Morgan </b>is fighting for an AA spot too, but has neither <b>Ragan</b>'s difficulty, a stand-out event like <b>Riley </b>and <b>Jordan </b>or a stellar consistency record so it'll be tough. And then you have <b>Trinity </b>whose beam and floor while strong are not yet at the level of beating out the rest for a spot. Which is really going to hurt, but she's more of a team gymnast at this point. <b>Ashton Locklear </b>hasn't gone anyway but needs her full bars difficulty to make the selectors go '<b>Riley </b>who?'.<br />
<br />
So basically, the team is <b>Ragan </b>so far. This has been a rambling post which ended some time after my bedtime so no doubt it's an incoherent mess. I hope everybody enjoyed Nationals. I also hope to actually finish watching the senior stream some time this week, wish me luck.<br />
<br />
Did the Gage girls blow you away? Are you super duper excited about the top senior prospects or moreso on hold til next year? Was the crystal fest this year over the top? Who has tickets to Montreal? (I do! :D)Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-14652357143702590182016-08-12T11:39:00.000+01:002016-08-12T11:39:13.571+01:00The one where Shang Chunsong gets totally robbedIt just wouldn't feel like a proper AA final without some controversy over the medals, especially an Olympic final.<br />
<br />
Not gold of course. <b>Simone Biles</b>, as we all knew she would, destroyed the competition, winning by an unheard-of margin of 2.1 points in an Olympic all-around final. It was an absolute pleasure to watch her in action, as it always is. She has been so dominant for so long and it's great to see her add Olympic success to that - the only way such an athlete can enter mainstream consciousness despite her worlds medal tally.<br />
<br />
Nor silver - <b>Aly Raisman </b>definitively put the ghosts of the 2012 tie-break AA to rest by storming to second place, behind only <b>Simone</b>. I wouldn't have thought it possible that she could get better than she was 4 years ago since coming back to that level in the first place is such a hard ask, but she really and truly has. The footage of her crying after floor are just special.<br />
<br />
But bronze. As great a gymnast as <b>Aliya Mustafina </b>is, that was not a bronze medal performance. It was for half her routines, but she had a bad time on floor and beam which her placement doesn't reflect. Not when <b>Shang Chunsong </b>had such a great competition, hitting everything out of the park. Yes, yes she has a super-weak vault but even with that she had a huge d-score advantage over <b>Aliya</b>. And yes, her frame gives her built-in form deductions with her knees and legs - I'd be the first to admit that she does not have the lines of some of her team-mates. But to lose by a tenth when she was THAT GOOD is a joke. Her beam and floor were fantastic and weren't rewarded enough. This isn't like Glasgow where she got 4th thanks to her vault when everyone else hit. <b>Aliya</b>'s beam with no acro series and corresponding super-low d-score and weak floor with again very low difficulty due to non-completion of turns should have taken her out of podium contention. And more than likely would have done had she been anyone else.<br />
<br />
I'm tired of the Chinese getting underscored, but <b>Shang Chunsong </b>seems to get it especially bad. It just seems petty, as if they don't like the way she looks and don't want to reward her because it's not something they want to promote? I could be completely off the mark there but it smacks of some sort of grudge, some sort of fear of underage because she looks so young. No excuse for not knowing her story now and there's certainly no excuse for lowballing her.<br />
<br />
There has been so much argument over <b>Nastia </b>V <b>Shawn</b>, <b>Jordyn </b>V <b>Vika</b>, <b>Gabby </b>V <b>Vika</b>. But this is the one that has the most merit. This can't be dismissed as 'It's a subjective sport' or 'She marginally outshone her'. There is no reason in the wide world why <b>Shang </b>didn't merit a few more tenths. It would only have taken just over one. Her execution still has the Chinese precision, it's certainly a lot better than most.<br />
<br />
Happy as I am for the rest of the podium - and I am happy for <b>Aliya </b>too, it's not as if she has bought the judges or anything - things like this really, really piss me off. As if screwing the Chinese in subdivision 1 of qualifications wasn't enough.Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-57730621262400970482016-06-26T17:53:00.003+01:002016-06-26T17:59:19.227+01:00Seniors Day 1A day late, but I have a very busy Monday ahead. The Ireland-France game is about to begin, I don't care about football but this is historic stuff. A great pity France have world class players. I apologise in advance for the distraction the game is going to cause this post.<br />
<br />
Anyway, seniors day 1! I'm so glad I didn't stay up to watch it, and watched the whole thing when I woke up at 9am instead. So much easier to absorb everything.<br />
<br />
<b>Simone Biles</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13501993_10153139075142168_8085655208710412568_n.jpg?oh=e6348f218580070f4816bf954771f773&oe=58024F97" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13501993_10153139075142168_8085655208710412568_n.jpg?oh=e6348f218580070f4816bf954771f773&oe=58024F97" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Stellar. Just unbelievable stuff from her as per usual. Beam is where she can look slightly more human and have a few bobbles, but her routine was seriously strong and steady to start off her night, capped by another great full-in. (The French national anthem is so jazzy, not like our anti-British dirge - though I love it) I'm sure I repeat myself a LOT when I talk about her, but there just is always something so uplifting when watching her about to begin, the surety that here is someone who is in a class of their own, whose skills are easy for her. (IRELAND JUST SCORED FROM A PENALTY GET IN!!!!) The highlight of her floor was the Silivas, so floaty and beautiful and nearly stuck - and it's her <i>third </i>pass. I thought the lyrics in her floor were going to be changed though? The deduction is a whole point and while she could weather that deduction, she really doesn't need to risk it. Vault was stunning and her Amanar seemed slightly higher than usual, but could just be the contrast after watching everyone else vault. Would love to see her echo <b>McKayla Maroney </b>and stick it in team finals. Or the AA or EF, I'm not fussy. After waiting so long for her to throw the Cheng, it's looking glorious. Her bars are always good - short and to the point, but her handstands stood out for me and the stuck dismount was nice also. Methodical. Definitely TF worthy since she leaves such low margins for deduction only for the fact that she'll be competing so much that it'd be nice for a rest too. All depends on who else makes the team.<br />
<b> </b><br />
In short, while she is always great, this felt like a particularly extra-great night for her. Just such a pleasure to watch.<br />
<br />
Leotard game - strong. Striking combination and I like the design on the front. 7/10<br />
<br />
(Ireland are holding off France. <i>France!!)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Aly Raisman</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13511047_10153139075967168_832552446154136814_n.jpg?oh=9846f71a674898d7d08a51e8ca682d76&oe=58045D24" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13511047_10153139075967168_832552446154136814_n.jpg?oh=9846f71a674898d7d08a51e8ca682d76&oe=58045D24" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The <b>Aly Raisman </b>of late last year and early this year who was struggling a bit with consistency and not showing her usual self on beam in particular was nowhere in evidence. Fantastic to see her attack back on beam, nailing connections as if they were on floor. Her improved layout - much more airtime - is great too. She looks 2012-esque, her solidest beam in a long time in competition. (This game is filthy! So much on the line...a LOT of fouls and yellow cards) On floor and her first pass looks like it's never been away or downgraded, she even had a slight bit of room to spare after the layout. Super-high Dos Santos, floaty DLO with just a small hop back and a double pike with chest fully up. Great stuff, Olympic floor medal contender for sure.<br />
<br />
Her amanar is decidedly less thrilling. VERY messy in the last 1.5 rotations, but fully around nevertheless, with her now trademark step to the side. Ligaments of steel. She doesn't need to be aiming for a more precise landing at the moment, would be nice to see in Rio though. An <b>Aly </b>with this much fight was never going to take any nonsense from bars, and sure enough although some struggle was evident with a break here and there, she finished without a major hitch to end her day. This is a great <b>Aly </b>with more tenths to fight for on bars and vault, so it's reassuring to see her in second - tied, but second nonetheless.<br />
<br />
She has her ticket to Rio I think, no question. Leotard game - excellent. Beautiful neckline and sparkly belt in particular. A bright pink that's not sickly, very pretty. 8.5/10<br />
<br />
<b>Laurie Hernandez</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13494867_10153139025667168_3998446531621127912_n.jpg?oh=372fe77044bd3c0e4e5cb25ca9385667&oe=580A6167" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13494867_10153139025667168_3998446531621127912_n.jpg?oh=372fe77044bd3c0e4e5cb25ca9385667&oe=580A6167" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<br />
Like <b>Simone</b> and others, <b>Laurie </b>didn't do AA at Classics, but unlike the former she's more of an unknown entity on all 4 as she seemed to be warding off some sort of leg injury earlier in the season.<i> </i>Starts on floor and her trademark energy was evident from the start. That DLO is still risky (NOOOO FRANCE SCORED!) in that she has no margin for error before she hits the ground. Hopefully she can learn to get a better set on it (OH CHRIST and again). The rest of the routine is great, love her unusual third combination pass especially. While I still love her dance and snappy choreography style, I'd still prefer it if the poses and expressions in particular were toned down. A very efficient vault from her, no sign of when it looked precarious. It's not as obvious on the USAG video, but on the stream she doesn't get much distance, seems to hit the table quite early. Nevertheless, chest up, the tiniest of hops and right down the centre, not to mention clean in the air. Good stuff. Beam used to be her weakest event, and flaky, but she's a much different worker there now. Confident. Quick connections, crisp BHS-LOSO-LOSO, sassy choreo. Her set on the double pike dismount is poor, so she has a very low chest on landing - better off with a touble tuck or a twisting dismount probably but a great routine nonetheless. Bars is another event where she has made great strides. She's got quite an unusual style there which is enjoyable to watch. Stalder-heavy, nice releases and a stuck dismount. She's no medal contender there but it's a big boost to her AA status.<br />
<br />
A fierce display from <b>Laurie </b>which has done nothing but good to show her worth to the Rio team. Leotard game - too much shiny brightness for me, but an interesting back. 4/10<br />
<br />
<b>Gabby Douglas</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13439162_10153139028087168_5275642909281537051_n.jpg?oh=713829a4f06dd00dd577aeb78b45141a&oe=5805745D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13439162_10153139028087168_5275642909281537051_n.jpg?oh=713829a4f06dd00dd577aeb78b45141a&oe=5805745D" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b> </b>She has looked strong since she came back and after Glasgow and a strong outing early in the season has much less to prove than most. But this wasn't the best of outings for her, she just didn't seem fully on at any point. Beam was nervy with checks coming very frequently (about 10 minutes left in which WE NEED TO SCORE). On floor again she was lacklustre in terms of connection to the audience and expression, but tumbling was strong. I really like the back tuck she's added to her full-in. Gorgeous leaps. Keeps the energy in tumbling going to the end, but taken together it just wasn't an exciting routine. Quality vault, BIG air on that DTY and you can see the room for the amanar that's more than likely to come. That'll be her ticket to being the second AA in Rio. Bars have never reached her 2012 levels and it's probably too late to expect they suddenly will but are strong anyway and do her a lot of favours although she didn't do a skill this time around that they credited her with doing. Bad judging, but not quite at the level 4 years ago when she was credited with doing an amanar for a DTY.<br />
<br />
A less-than-ideal day but not exactly damaging. I hope she gets her game face on tonight all the same. Leotard game - Interesting. She can carry that orangey-pink but the shine makes it too much for me. 5.5/10<br />
<br />
<b>Madison Kocian</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13537619_10153139025662168_6277834158173828074_n.jpg?oh=1a467e61877fc297bcf4cd8bd3038f68&oe=57ED84E5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13537619_10153139025662168_6277834158173828074_n.jpg?oh=1a467e61877fc297bcf4cd8bd3038f68&oe=57ED84E5" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
The big test is as per usual her bars, and again (we are 45 seconds from not qualifying to the quarter finals...) she comes second to <b>Ashton Locklear </b>there, but great bars nonetheless and the big advantage she has over <b>Ashton </b>as we all know is the fact that she's much more of a team player and can slot in much better than the latter. (And we are out...but played much better than expected against MUCH better players) Marta is as always all about the team, and not so much the specialists. This is not like USOC forcing <b>McKayla Maroney </b>into the team for guaranteed (LOL) vault gold, bars has many more contenders with no certainties. Anyway, a lovely arabian on beam followed by a check or two and a broken connection, but solid work. She's stunning to watch on floor too with the usual WOGA tumbling style of connecting twists showing up in her second pass. WOGA also shows up in her vaulting in a clean and beautifully executed FTY.<br />
<br />
A strong showing and she's in the mix for sure. Leotard game - a bit dull, but nice sparkles on the red. 5/10<br />
<br />
<b>Ashton Locklear </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13516443_10153139026822168_2962325296174238641_n.jpg?oh=3e403f5769222d59198ab2b1a43f6dc0&oe=57F0D813" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13516443_10153139026822168_2962325296174238641_n.jpg?oh=3e403f5769222d59198ab2b1a43f6dc0&oe=57F0D813" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
KILLER bars, great to see. Gives very little away and great rhythm. She continued her visible improvement on beam, very quick-fire connections. I love her leaps in particular her lines make her wolf jump look amazing. I'd like to see her do some old-school elements, like a Kolesnikova variation, even a Kotchetkova or Onodi. She'll never do a major acrobatic element so they'd suit her. And a double stag just because I love them. Anyway, she's another who's right in the mix for this team.<br />
<br />
Leotard game - love the colour contrast, but the design seemed a bit too juvenile and let it down. 6/10<br />
<br />
<b>Ragan Smith</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13439132_10153139026827168_310423494735835899_n.jpg?oh=6cd5ed5e50f32c1f2c35d605dd36b8d3&oe=57F41FB6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13439132_10153139026827168_310423494735835899_n.jpg?oh=6cd5ed5e50f32c1f2c35d605dd36b8d3&oe=57F41FB6" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Strong on 3/4 events with that weird Grishina-esque balk on floor decimating her score there. I just love the distance she gets on her DTY and bars dismount. Unfortunately her beam wasn't her best with some big checks there but she really nailed the dismount with a much more secure landing than we have seen. She really needed to knock it out of the park to challenge at the top of the leaderboard...but it's a 2-night competition. Even with that, I think she's fighting for an alternate spot as even without her less than perfect consistency record, she's strongest on the events they've got plenty of depth on.<br />
<br />
Leotard game - STUNNING! Love the mosaic stained glass design, very unique and pretty. Chrystal pattern was gorgeous on the sleeves. The best. 9/10<br />
<br />
<b>Mykayla Skinner</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13529227_10153139075907168_1726229832097689673_n.jpg?oh=bdfeaf48cdeb841369369e5343e63f2f&oe=580E7521" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13529227_10153139075907168_1726229832097689673_n.jpg?oh=bdfeaf48cdeb841369369e5343e63f2f&oe=580E7521" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
She's not all the way there in terms of how strong she can be, but a good effort. Her amanar landing can be better than that and look much more secure. Very nice in the air with great height. The Cheng is just her thing, so reliable. She should be using that in a TF lineup were she to make the team. Needs a bit more oomph on floor to really nail all of her difficulty, she seemed to flag a bit in terms of energy towards the end. I didn't catch her beam and bars yet, but they're not really that important in terms of her value. It's hard to say where she slots in in terms of a potential team now, she could quite easily be a victim of 5 slots instead of 6.<br />
<br />
Leotard game - props for a design I haven't seen before, I especially like it on the side. Colours were not for me and the shiny grey washed her out too much. 4.5/10<br />
<br />
<b>Maggie Nichols</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13533222_10153139027432168_7233075695125645693_n.jpg?oh=498557d8a428c2caac494165ba9788f8&oe=57F8334C" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13533222_10153139027432168_7233075695125645693_n.jpg?oh=498557d8a428c2caac494165ba9788f8&oe=57F8334C" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It's hard to judge <b>Maggie </b>at this point as she is still coming back with a way to go before she gets back to her self again (hopefully in time for Rio selection). Her wolf turn on beam was a struggle and looks like it might have pained her, but she looked her usual strong self after that. A few checks, but nothing major and a great double pike to end with. Getting there. Bars were her usual though, strong and capable and she treated us to a stuck landing. Hopefully she keeps it up tonight and is able to bring back vault and floor by trials, she's a major contender for the team if she can.<br />
<br />
Leotard game - I quite like the leo, but not the banana bit. 5/10<br />
<br />
<b>Alyssa Baumann</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13507201_10153139027967168_1319300440327784924_n.jpg?oh=f5b07e86ebc26587f6d7713145c98866&oe=58056F72" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13507201_10153139027967168_1319300440327784924_n.jpg?oh=f5b07e86ebc26587f6d7713145c98866&oe=58056F72" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Started off with such a strong bars routine, only to come off again. After a bad meet at Classics it was the last thing she needed. Redeemed herself somewhat on beam with a gorgeous arabian, BHS-LOSO-LOSO series and Onodi-wolf connection but there were some checks in between and overall the flow was poor. She's another fighting for alternate when most other teams would kill to have her.<br />
<br />
So all in all, regardless of a good portion of the team being locks for quite a while, we are still shaping up for a killer fight at trials, and Nationals is extremely important for those girls who are on the cusp to show how ready they are. Really looking forward to watching day 2 at some stage tomorrow as I can't stay up that late.<br />
<br />
As of now, until <b>Maggie </b>is proved out of the AA, my team is <b>Simone, Aly, Gabby, Laurie </b>and <b>Maggie</b>. I don't think bars is important enough to warrant a spot when the team is so small. Let there be killing for the AA spots in quals.<br />
<br />
Who has made your team? Who will win leotard game tonight? Can <b>Simone </b>get even better than she currently is? Can someone succeed in livening up <b>Gabby? </b>How many hairbows will <b>Mykayla </b>have? These are the questions that need answering.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">All photos copyright USAG - John Cheng and L.Smith</span> <br />
<br />
<b> </b> <br />
<br />
<b> </b><i> </i> Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-51532250943342599282016-06-24T22:15:00.001+01:002016-06-24T22:15:15.940+01:00US NationalsReally the timing of Nationals is poor this year. I'm supposed to absorb hours of gymnastics while Brexit just happened AND Ireland has magically progressed to the top 16 in the Euros which means the whole country will shut down on Sunday for the next match? It's all so distracting, but moreso Brexit of course because nobody believed the British public could be that dense but yes.they.are and this is going to have a big impact on my country and the thousands and thousands of Irish citizens living there. Hell we even get to be an island with a border where one side is in the EU and the other side isn't, that's super special that is. GODDAMN I can't even explain the total shock in the media this side of the pond, this is an absolute disaster.<br />
<br />
ANYWAY, on to gymnastics. Watched part of juniors live and am busy catching up. Not sure I can hold out til 2am for seniors, so may just watch them in the morning. Juniors was dramatic to say the least, delighted for <b>Mailie</b> <b>O'Keeffe</b>, sad for <b>Emma Malabuyo </b>in particular after her mid-competition injury, but also <b>Morgan Hurd </b>who I'm sure was anxious to prove herself after Classics only to fall almost instantly and <b>Deanne Soza </b>who personifies the heartbreak of this sport. I have learned to just enjoy her but she always gives me hope and takes it away again all the same. What I'm watching the most is <b>Trinity Thomas</b>' DLO rebound on floor, I can't get over it. Looks like we have a winner for best rebound since <b>Gabby Douglas </b>at SCAM 2012.<b> </b>While it's fascinating to have three clean, elegant gymnasts in <b>Emma</b>, <b>Morgan </b>and <b>Gabby Perea </b>vying for the title of best junior....gymnasts like <b>Trinity </b>are so fascinating. Quite reminiscent of junior <b>Simone Biles</b>. Overly bouncy, power a bit too much for her, and rough around the edges. And we all know what happened there. <b>Trinity </b>screams potential and I'm excited.<br />
<br />
I'll be back tomorrow with longer posts especially after watching seniors :)<br />
<br />
Happy purple ombre leo watching!<br />
Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-86691398468257658932016-06-05T17:20:00.001+01:002016-06-05T17:20:55.538+01:00Happy gymnastics weekend!And it's a long bank holiday weekend here, which is just as well because there's too much to watch in different timezones. I have major catching up to do still.<br />
<br />
First, Classics (way behind on Euros..) Considering how tough Nationals, Trials and pre-Olympic training will be on dead certs like <b>Simone Biles </b>and <b>Gabby Douglas</b>, it made perfect sense for them to ease their way into it by opting out of the AA for Classics and only competing bars and beam. Sensible, yet disappointing when every opportunity for a good AA scrap between the top few is welcome. <b>Aly Raisman </b>on the other hand had more to prove after a somewhat up-down year in terms of consistency and realisation of full potential. It was fantastic to see her beam improved, much more reminiscent of how it was last quad, and an amanar that was safe and fully rotated with a decent landing. Floor was her usual top standard, no surprises there. Of course, she fell on bars, but it seemed very fluke-y and bars are not important to her status as a team member. Not the biggest of deals.<br />
<br />
The showdown on bars between <b>Madison Kocian </b>and <b>Ashton Locklear </b>was seriously exciting, and although the former has a 3-tenth difficulty lead, <b>Ashton </b>is the better bars worker and I'm pleased the (moderately inflated) scores reflected that. <b>Madison </b>will be out for blood at Nationals after she fell on a back tuck on beam. Sadly, <b>Ragan Smith </b>came to grief there too, on her Patterson dismount. I never feel that Texas Dreams gymnasts get a proper high 'set' on their beam dismounts. Contrast them with the likes of <b>Catalina Ponor</b>'s glorious double pike from Euros TF....dreamy. Anyway, <b>Ashton</b>'s beam was interesting. It's a routine I don't expect a whole lot from as her difficulty is low and her form is lacking on some elements. I'd much rather see her floor, it's a pity that after reading it's an event she was considered strong on, her back prevents her from training it. Although her beam last night was hesitant in flow, she has really cleaned up her form and it was pretty decent. Not a routine you would want to use outside of quals ever, but still, improvement is always good.<br />
<br />
I'm seriously impressed that <b>Nia Dennis </b>competed. As exhibition, but nevertheless a full bars routine WITH a DLO dismount. She's not long after injury at all, and it shows such a positive attitude to want to be there and compete even though time is not on her side. She did get lost after the Pak but had a nice recovery and I was really expecting a flyaway dismount, so kudos to her. I'm a bit baffled that <b>Bailie Key </b>did not. The fact that she was on the roster, then not, then slated to compete by her coach, then did podium training and that was it is a bit odd. It would have been nice if she exhibitioned at least, or just did one event even, like <b>Laurie Hernandez </b>also. I enjoyed <b>Laurie</b>'s bars, even if her technique seems different to the norm on some elements, which throws me off. Looking forward to seeing her and <b>Simone </b>and <b>Gabby </b>back in the AA at Nationals.<br />
<br />
In terms of how the Olympic team is shaping up, I think <b>Simone</b>, <b>Gabby </b>and <b>Aly </b>have cemented their places, <b>Aly </b>being a bit more doubtful than the other two, but held up by her vast experience at being the team rock. It's a big advantage over the likes of <b>Laurie </b>and <b>Ragan, </b>and although their beams rival <b>Aly</b>'s, their floors fall short, and so does vault now that the Raismanar is back and secure. The fourth spot is between <b>Madison </b>and <b>Ashton</b> and the fifth is a toss-up between a beam specialist type role which <b>Laurie </b>and <b>Ragan </b>are still in the running for if Marta wants to go that route, or the vault spot for <b>Mykayla</b>. <b>Simone </b>gaining the Cheng has somewhat negated the importance of that as now she's nearly a given for gold there, whereas before with her Lopez she risked being pushed out of bronze. Technically they don't need all 5 spots at all, the first 3 alone could cover everything and win easily, but 5 still makes for awkward choosing thanks to their depth. If <b>Maggie </b>can regain everything in time, she's a significant threat to <b>Aly</b>, but the latter's amanar could well keep her ahead as it's not a safe vault for <b>Maggie </b>to compete. It is tragic that such capable gymnasts as <b>Alyssa Baumann </b>and <b>Rachel Gowey </b>can hope for alternate at best, they'd be such an asset to almost every other country.<br />
<br />
Romania<b> </b>for instance would kill for a gymnast like <b>Alyssa</b>. It is almost extraordinary to see how much they have backslid since London, and how overly reliant they are on <b>Larisa Iordache </b>and <b>Catalina Ponor</b>. <b>Cata </b>is facing enormous criticism at the moment for upping her game in the fight for the (sole) spot for Rio (seriously it won't sink in that there'll be no team) by training bars again, getting her DTY back, and regaining her floor and beam skills. It is an enormous credit to her that she can train and improve still. Her determination and fight are incredible, and if the whole National Team had that, they'd be in a better position. Of course, it's a vicious circle and the fact that they focus and rely on the same old faces is a major demotivator to other girls trying to make their way through the ranks. Their retirement rate of girls who are barely or not even senior is appalling. Looking at my post of girls turning senior 2013-2016 is particularly saddening for all the Romanian names who have dropped off.<br />
<br />
The whole thing is infuriating and has been voiced many times over much more eloquently than I could ever attempt. It's obvious that their entire coaching system needs an overhaul. It's not just bars, there is too much focus on them. Yes it is disgraceful that hit routines can't break 13 but it's the marked deterioration on floor and beam that's more worrying. Outside of <b>Catalina </b>and <b>Larisa</b> and possibly <b>Diana</b>, the rest don't even look like elite routines anymore. The difficulty and 'special'ness of Romania on those events is not even in evidence. Hopefully the multiple people involved in Romania devolving into a Ukraine-type situation can stop playing the blame game and actually change things.<br />
<br />
Moving on to US juniors, I've a good bit of catching up to do there. Saddened that <b>Morgan Hurd </b>struggled on beam and threw away the lead, would love to see her bouncing back at Nationals. Her bars in particular were fabulous, with such a surprising dismount - Fabrichnova- from one so tiny. <b>Jordan Chiles </b>has a nice advantage over the rest of the field with her amanar boosting her difficulty, but her power was to her detriment on floor when her huge, high tumbles sent her bouncing out of bounds twice and again on beam when she bounced back and fell out of her dismount. A great day for eventual winner <b>Irina Alexeeva </b>though her status remains murky and I heard she can't compete at Nationals, which is such a shame if true. I'm going to have a fun day going through the rest of the playlist.<br />
<br />
And last but certainly not least, Euros! I missed the juniors entirely with work, sadly. A cracking senior team final, even if my stream was super glitchy. I'm not sure why it's still surprising when <b>Aliya Mustafina </b>after looking awful in podium training and dodgy in qualifications, pulls it out when it counts. I've every faith she'll be much improved still in Rio with her passes back on floor. It was great to see <b>Giulia </b>compete in front of a home crowd, and despite the same old consistency issues on beam, she really nailed it. A great Euros for her. I'm seriously in love with her Silivas, that thing is crazy high and fast. Her floor in general is so much better than it used to be, it was quite clunky and now everything seems so light. Her leaps are dreamy also. I'm also impressed with Miss Consistency <b>Angelina Melnikova</b>. Talk about team player, the girl is a much-needed rock for her team. The equally talented <b>Seda Tutkhalyan </b>has her work cut out for her now in terms of Rio, her flakiness on beam in particular continues to plague her. GB had quite an up-and-down meet, though mostly good. Poor <b>Becky Downie </b>had 2 falls on beam in team finals, only to redeem herself with bars gold - beating<b> </b>the formiddable <b>Daria Spiridonova </b><i>and </i><b>Aliya Mustafina</b>. Although GB qualified first, they did well to finish second, counting other falls and mistakes too. France were seriously impressive, my highlight was <b>Marine Boyer</b>'s beam and also <b>Alison Lepin</b>'s beautiful bars. Stunning work.<br />
<br />
A lot watched, a lot more to watch. Not sure exactly why I haven't posted in so long, but anyway, I'm back :D<br />
<br />
Have you successfully watched ALL of Euros and Classics? Favourite junior/senior? Highlight routines? Best use of co-ordinating hair ribbon and sparkles? Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-50150758509692816552016-04-30T12:48:00.005+01:002016-04-30T12:48:53.301+01:00BreakHi all, just a note to say that I AM around and haven't taken a break from gymnastics at all. I've been watching as much as possible and am giddy with excitement for Rio, which I have booked off from work. I just seem to have hit a block about posting, hard to say how come. I will be back before summer for sure :DBeautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-77610711453604318362016-02-22T20:40:00.001+00:002016-02-22T20:43:55.897+00:002016: It beginsNot the start of the season (c'mon c'mon!!), but the injuries and retirements. It's a double whammy for the US this week, with the news first of all that <b>Nia Dennis </b>has torn her Achilles and just today that <b>Kyla Ross </b>has retired.<br />
<br />
<b>Kyla </b>faced into this year off the back of a difficult 2015, with numerous uncharacteristic falls and errors marring her domestic competitive season. The news that she was not at the selection camp for worlds didn't come as much of a surprise as a result. Despite this, and her known injuries, it still comes as a shock that she's out of the running for Rio now at this point. I really thought she would attend at least Classics and Nationals to see where she was at.<b> </b>I've thought that she wasn't going to reappear strongly in elite before, only for her to showcase her usual crisp routines once more, so I gave up on giving up on her. I haven't hidden the fact that I'm not a big fan of her gymnastics - but I am a big fan of <i>her </i>and will miss seeing her this summer. It's a pity that her height has held her back in terms of upgrades and probably wasn't helpful in terms of her previous back injury. Still, a very illustrious career- Olympic champion and with numerous world medals up her sleeves. I'm looking forward to seeing her in UCLA.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z75Pz4OQfYA/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z75Pz4OQfYA?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Nia </b>is only in her second year as a senior, but has had a most turbulent career so far with several injuries. Last year she was freshly back from injury. I was really looking forward to some upgrades and cleaned-up execution from her, and instead she has a devastating injury at the worst time. She'll miss the whole domestic season, and Rio as a result. Injury, injury, gym change, injury - I've been rooting for her for years and it's been depressing, as her physical status has definitely held her back from achieving her potential - her potential is and has always been HUGE. A sparkly gymnast with big height and big skills, super dynamic and exciting. Will miss her greatly this year and hope she can come back strong from this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wLOEilb0hTM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wLOEilb0hTM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Another career that came to an end (albeit 2 months ago) is <b>Lisa Verschueren </b>of Belgium. She is not someone who I actively followed, although I did notice her in Glasgow, but <i>how </i>her career ended is more devastating than an injury because she doesn't have the option of coming back, and it wasn't her decision. To be that young and forced from competitive sport due to a heart condition really sucks. I know too much about cardiology for my own good from large amounts of time spent typing and googling terms, and I really hope her defibrillator is all she needs to be healthy and safe and it isn't anything very sinister. Thankfully she did have a longish career spanning several world championships, so there is that.<br />
<br />
Speaking of Belgium, and on a more positive note, they have exciting talent coming through the ranks this year - particularly <b>Nina Derwael</b>. I LOVE this. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Jp3RJgTaKPY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jp3RJgTaKPY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
Not all skill videos (few I suppose) come to fruition but I really, really hope this does. Any release with a half turn is a complete winner in my book, and the Ezhova is one my favourite transitions. Fabulous.<br />
<br />
Also on the positive balancing front, the <b>McKayla Maroney </b>video interview is coming out this week (Wednesday I believe although really Thursday for me as it's on west coast time) and I'm really looking forward to it. <b>McKayla </b>has always been great at speaking and she has a lot of gaps and information that we are largely in the dark about. Not to mention that it doesn't look like the kind of interview where she'll gloss over or bypass important stuff. Of course, she may well declare her retirement or imminent retirement in the video but by all accounts she's been out of the gym a good amount of time now so that wouldn't be shocking. Sad to put an end to a great career though.<br />
<br />
The Olympic year really has its downsides with the impending sense of doom that there are many more names to come in the injury/retirement category. I'm just holding on for the season to start to ease the doom and gloom of it all.<br />
<br />
What are your favourite routines of the two? I really love that beam of <b>Kyla</b>'s, it had more than her usual as it was fuelled by fierce determination, taking place as it did after a bars meltdown. It's also her last elite competitive routine. <b>Nia</b>'s floor showcases her strengths beautifully, love that unique third pass. How will this shake up Team USA and the coveted specialist spots?Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-79993509146193343802016-02-11T20:41:00.000+00:002016-02-11T20:41:03.473+00:00Me me meI got a new job!!!<br />
<br />
HALLELUJAH!!!!<br />
<br />
It's a big relief, and I really love my new job. One of the fun parts is a much more straightforward commute which is already much less draining and more conducive to actually blogging more than once a month. There's always an aspect that makes you think fondly of the old job though, and for me it's the fact that the hospital chart room looks a bit like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.digitalforsyth.org/jpg/nbg/pat/nbg_pat_00163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.digitalforsyth.org/jpg/nbg/pat/nbg_pat_00163.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It makes for fun times. I can't imagine electronic healthcare records...they are probably a solid 10 years away for us, and ain't and shouldn't gonna happen while inpatient and outpatient waiting lists are years (legit years) long.<br />
<br />
Aaaaaanyway, gymnastics! I'm eagerly awaiting the start of the season and trying and failing to not get excited about random upgrade videos appearing everywhere. I've really missed blogging and not having the energy and time has sucked. Really looking forward to this Olympic season :D :D<br />
Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-56348131612391308732016-01-20T23:26:00.000+00:002016-01-21T19:50:40.061+00:00Celebrating Underage SuperstarsThere's something so impressive about watching a thrilling routine from the past and absorbing the fact that the gymnast wasn't even of age at the time. Personally, while I don't condone breaking the rules, I don't allow it to taint or spoil the enjoyment of the routine in any way as political decisions were and are nothing to do with the gymnast themselves. The below either admitted themselves or were categorically found through investigation to fall below the age limit at the time. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Lavinia Agache - Romania</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000jiMyq87NbtI/s/860/860/1321agache-budapest1983rom-300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000jiMyq87NbtI/s/860/860/1321agache-budapest1983rom-300.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright - Tom Theobald</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Lavinia</b> competed at the age of 13 at worlds 1981, with her date of birth altered from 1968 to 1967. Interestingly, she also competed at the junior gymnastics championships in Japan the same year. She came into her own when she was actually a senior later that quad, but still managed to shine at such a young age, with super strong beam and floor routines in typical Romanian fashion. Not elegant, but very energetic and fun to watch with some nice original elements thrown in. <b>Lavinia</b> was somewhat overshadowed by teammate <b>Ecaterina Szabo </b>but was a great gymnast in her own right and was a solid contributor at worlds 1983 and the Olympics the following year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9bj5t4I0xOk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9bj5t4I0xOk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Olga Bicherova - USSR</b><br />
<br />
<b> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gymnast.bplaced.com/AG/Bicherova/Bicherova02_WC81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gymnast.bplaced.com/AG/Bicherova/Bicherova02_WC81.jpg" height="320" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source- gymnast.bplaced.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b><br />
<b>Olga</b> is one of the better known underage gymnasts, having won the 1981 worlds AA with an altered date of birth. She had an abundance of the qualities that made Soviet gymnastics great, displaying fabulous extension, form and elegance - with a mature ease far beyond her years. A true all-arounder. Her win drew criticism thanks to her baby face, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/07/sports/rift-over-underage-gymnasts.html">especially from the US</a> who also mention <b>Lavinia </b>and others (unproven), but reserve the focus for the winner, of course. <b>Olga </b>competed through the rest of the quad and beyond successfully despite the killer depth, but was a victim of the Olympics boycott like so many others.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/u68a2QiS7Rw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u68a2QiS7Rw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Kim Gwang Suk - North Korea</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.yourememberthat.com/files/2641f4771c3ba4c5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.yourememberthat.com/files/2641f4771c3ba4c5.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Kim</b> is without doubt the youngest gymnast ever to compete at worlds. Her exact age when she emerged as a senior at 1989 worlds is not known, but she may have been as young as 9 or 10. 4'4, she unleashed the counter-Kim or Marinich, a ridiculously hard release and in combination that only a handful have competed. Her bar routine is one of my all-time favourites and she also had some quite nice work on beam. She competed through to 1992 Olympics as the reigning bars world champion and Detective FIG only managed to nab her when her federation submitted her as being 15 for 3 years in a row in the early 90's. Which is still mind boggling, at least put some effort into the swindle! <b>Kim</b> fell off the radar after a ban was imposed, which is tragic as she would definitely have had a good few years left had she hypothetically remained healthy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6WfTu07CZOk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6WfTu07CZOk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Yang Yun - China</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.canoe.ca/2000GamesGymnasticsImages/yun_sep19-ap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.canoe.ca/2000GamesGymnasticsImages/yun_sep19-ap.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright- AP/Amy Sancetta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Yang Yun</b>, the beautifully classic performer, was a complete surprise when she admitted on state TV that she was 14 in Sydney as she always looked very mature and older than 16, certainly older than teammate and fellow underager <b>Dong Fangxiao</b>. <b>Yang </b>was a beauty to watch on all 4 events, even vault (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0DZ7Y-JBpI">watch this immediately)</a> and was particularly stunning on beam also where she displayed fabulous originality with gorgeous lines and extension. Sadly she fell in the Sydney AA which she would have won otherwise (after <b>Raducan</b>'s score was officially wiped) - although her admission of her age though dismissed by the FIG on investigation would have rendered that a controversial win also. <b>Yang </b>did manage to pick up bronze on bars but sadly disappeared off the scene nearly as quickly as she arrived onto it, the Olympics was her sole competition of note.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/953i7B6h_Vk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/953i7B6h_Vk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<b>Olga Mostepanova - USSR</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRUxdUjnGD3Ur8lR9zoLA1LnKEwJuKhrim-n7yVuEt8j-G_wpzj" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRUxdUjnGD3Ur8lR9zoLA1LnKEwJuKhrim-n7yVuEt8j-G_wpzj" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright - Tom Theobald</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Olga</b> is IT as far as the personification of Soviet gymnastics is concerned - although sadly majorly lacking in the medals to prove it. One of the greats, who would have won all around her in LA 1984 Olympics (instead racking up perfect 10's at Olomouc), <b>Olga</b> was underage during the competitive season of 1983. An accomplished all-arounder, she was best known for her stunning beam, complete with <i>that</i> press handstand mount. Her extension stood out even amongst her teammates which is saying a lot. Of all of the gymnasts and other athletes screwed by the 1984 Olympics boycott, it seems like a particularly heinous crime in her case, especially as she peaked that year and wasn't quite the same at worlds the following year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1rKbwNLnxxw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1rKbwNLnxxw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<b>Gina Gogean - Romania</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTZwtGlsUVgBJOzJ6t4t8G5lk6QtX4V9WhsKxX8v5S4F7PgfLzjmQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTZwtGlsUVgBJOzJ6t4t8G5lk6QtX4V9WhsKxX8v5S4F7PgfLzjmQ" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Gina</b> is remembered for a few things- somewhat safe routines (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUxVQLsQnVs">although she was not always boring</a>) and collecting quite the stack of medals during deep quads, but competing underage in 1992 is not one of them. Her super lengthy career started off on murky terms, being officially too young during the Barcelona Olympics. At this point of her career she was far from the star of her team. Despite competing strongly at Euros that year, she failed to make much of an impact at the games. Not that she was long developing into a strong all-arounder with multiple titles under her belt with the sole exception of, big surprise, uneven bars. A big help in her super consistency during her senior career was the unfortunate killing off of more difficult and unusual elements she had as a junior. Being boring really paid off for her!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ky1l3An_vSc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ky1l3An_vSc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<b>Alexandra Marinescu - Romania</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQBzoYkaE9QCqGFOyYEf70BwrwQOF3QnfjeP_BkyHqoM4cGeMy0_A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQBzoYkaE9QCqGFOyYEf70BwrwQOF3QnfjeP_BkyHqoM4cGeMy0_A" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Alexandra</b>, after huge success as a junior, had the great misfortune to a) be hyped as the next <b>Nadia Comaneci</b> and b) to be pulled from the AA at Olympics and worlds, the only two big competitions she competed at, in favour of teammate <b>Simona Amanar</b>. To be individually picked out for hype when she had such giants of accomplished teammates as <b>Gina Gogean</b>, <b>Simona Amanar</b> and <b>Lavinia Milosovici</b> shows
how promising she was. Lacking the powerhouse tumbling of the others,
she stood out for her elegance instead, with beam being her best event.
The fact that her career was so short, especially when they went to the
effort of changing her age in the first place is a tragedy, as is the
fact that her name was blackened when the reason given for her forced
withdrawals from the AA was that she was a poor worker.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Crkr8IXweDc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Crkr8IXweDc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<b></b><br />
<b> Dong Fangxiao - China</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sportsgirlsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/dong-fangxiao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sportsgirlsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/dong-fangxiao.jpg" height="320" width="306" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Dong </b>was another gymnast who had overshadowing gymnasts on her team to compete alongside with, in this case the likes of <b>Ling Jie </b>and <b>Liu Xuan</b> and the less accomplished but outstanding <b>Yang Yun </b>and <b>Kui Yuanyuan</b>. <b>Dong </b>was more of a team player than a star in her own right, but was a good all-arounder and strong on floor. Her investigation stripped <b>China </b>of their 1999 and 2000 team medals.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/648hC3XEZKw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/648hC3XEZKw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b>Hong Su Jong - North Korea</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.intlgymnast.com/image/hong_su_jong_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.intlgymnast.com/image/hong_su_jong_2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright - Thomas Schreyer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Hong Su Jong </b>is the infamous gymnast whose age falsification earned <b>North Korea </b>such a lengthy ban that they missed the London Olympics. Before the federation ban, she also earned a suspension for the use of Furosemide<b> </b>(a diuretic used to aid weight loss/combat fluid retention...which is downright odd in those circumstances when I type about it all the time in the context of cardiac babies!). Controversy aside, <b>Hong </b>was an extremely talented vaulter for which she earned silver at 2007 worlds, but she was also <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vf4D9vKAcs">awesome on bars.</a> Her handstands would earn her quite the battering these days, but such lovely clean work. <b>Hong</b>'s career, by contrast to most of those mentioned here, was lengthy - she competed in the 2004 Olympics right the way through to 2010, although she missed Beijing through injury. She was, aside from the originator, one of the first to compete the Amanar vault, bringing it back mainstream along with <b>Shawn Johnson</b>. She is sister to <b>Hong Un Jong </b>who has <i>not </i>been involved in an age controversy. They may be twins, but the latter competed much later than the former.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Mi3sffXa0p8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mi3sffXa0p8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Daniela Silivas - Romania</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.intlgymnast.com/image/daily/silivas_daniela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.intlgymnast.com/image/daily/silivas_daniela.jpg" height="320" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright - Ellie Langsley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Daniela Silivas </b>is regarded as one of if not the greatest all-arounders of all time and regularly tops fan polls of favourite gymnasts. Her battle during the 1988 Olympics AA with <b>Elena Shushunova </b>is legendary and thrilling to watch but....<b>Daniela </b>began her career by competing underage during 1985 worlds, at the age of 13. A true all-arounder, she was typical of her nation in that her beam and floor stood out, despite the horrendous choreography meted out to her that year.<b> </b>Super energetic and sparkly, she managed to nab the beam title but didn't come into her own until later in the quad. Certainly she was the best <b>Romanian </b>gymnast of the 80's, and there is seriously stiff competition for that.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It's strange these days to contemplate gymnast's passports and dates of birth being switched and manipulated on the whim of a federation coach. Not that I think the practice has been 100% eradicated (note: I have no interest in suspicions re: named, unproven individuals,<i> </i><u><b><i>ESPECIALLY </i></b></u>those concerning a certain team from 8 years ago YAWN), it probably never will be when states like the above still exist and the age restriction remains punitive. Of course, we have no idea of the true extent of age falsification - FIG themselves only uncovered 3 - especially during the 1980's. There is just no way only a small handful of gymnasts competed underage the entire decade. My money is on <b>Romania</b> as the biggest overall offenders, the Karolyi's had no qualms about this practice at the time (despite repeat bellyaching post-defect to the US, which they really have a nerve complaining about every year), and clearly neither did another long-time head coach, <b>Octavian Bellu</b>. They also had much less depth than the super strong <b>USSR </b>(who definitely have several more skeletons in the closet all the same, which coaches have alluded to) and therefore greater motive to bend the rules. They also showed form for skulduggery when they actually had <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW9Pd4oagrI">one gymnast impersonate another</a> at a meet in the US in 1981.<br />
<u><b> </b></u><br />
Anyway, I'm a big believer in appreciating the performance and the performance only. I find it very sad that there's a lot of people who call themselves gymnastics fans, but who spend far too much time condemning gymnasts from 2 quads ago, and current gymnasts of the same nationality, because why not. If it's really the biggest deal ever to them, then they should also spend their time blackening the names of the likes of <b>Silivas </b>and <b>Gogean </b>too, which will never happen. Nationality (read: of Asian extraction with absolutely zero thought given to the fact that some ethnic varieties have the good fortune to look younger than others with slighter frames to boot) and the identity of who the suspect beats seems to be all important.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Who's your favourite? Does the inconsistency of FIG action and fan reaction annoy you too? Can't we all just get along on the Gymternet? ;) <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-59376892105496359232016-01-01T23:38:00.001+00:002016-01-02T17:30:19.426+00:00Happy New Senior Day!In good news, my laptop is my own again rather than shared which is great and will make blog posts much less rushed. I'm also firmly on the jobhunt and the fatigue is definitely starting to lift. Happy new year to me!<br />
<br />
In much more exciting news, it's 2016-year of the Olympics AND a whole bunch of new seniors are eager to make an impression in time. I can't believe that we are in the Olympic year, although I can well believe as seen on twitter and tumblr earlier today that <b>Simone Biles </b>has won 27% of available WAG world medals this quad.<br />
<br />
Anyway, today is all about the new seniors. I have an incomplete list <a href="http://beautifulgymnastics.blogspot.ie/2012/08/gymnasts-turning-senior-2013-16.html">here.</a> A slightly depressing document given the sheer number that have retired, injured out or faded away already but anyway, it's a super exciting new bunch!<br />
<br />
The USA of course are going to net quite a few, <b>Laurie Hernandez</b>, <b>Norah Flatley, Emily Gaskins, Sydney Johnson-Scharpf, Jazmyn Foberg, Abby Paulson, Ragan Smith, Christina Desiderio, Margzetta Frasier </b>and <b>Rachel Baumann</b>. People have been waiting for the first two to turn senior for years as they've been well known since or nearly before turning senior. The power of youtube! Of course, several of the others have been making waves for quite some time too, like <b>Ragan Smith </b>and <b>Sydney Johnson-Scharpf</b>. <b>Rachel Baumann </b>is more of a newcomer to the scene, qualifying elite in 2014 although having an elite older sister in the same gym did mean she had a following. <b>Jazmyn Foberg </b>has been one of the quiet types, firmly<b> </b>in <b>Laurie</b>'s shadow until she surprisingly won Nationals in 2014 and had a very close-fought silver last year.<br />
<br />
As regards Rio, all eyes are on <b>Laurie Hernandez, Ragan Smith </b>and <b>Norah Flatley </b>for a look-in, but for all of them it's a super tough ask even with their talent. It all depends on what the team needs once the core of the team is built and that's impossible to call at this time. I will say that I think it will be easier for people outstanding on one/two events like the latter two rather than <b>Laurie </b>because even though she's so strong in the all-around, she's not as high-scoring as some of the others they already have.<br />
<br />
For other countries, it will be much easier for the new seniors to slot in to the Olympic picture. <b>Catherine Lyons </b>is poised to be a major asset to Team GB, she complements the powerhouses they already have in spades perfectly. They could definitely do with a fabulous beam but I think what will be most helpful is her execution scores, she is significantly cleaner than the others in general, and messy execution is what's holding GB back a bit. <b>Teal Grindle </b>is a major prospect too, but I think the size of the team could be against her. I'm unsure about <b>Georgia Mae Fenton</b>, she's always been lovely to watch but hasn't seemed to improved much. There will always be surprises though.<br />
<br />
Russia will be hoping for some super-consistent beamers to join their ranks! <b>Angelina</b> <b>Melnikova </b>is a no-nonsense all-arounder that hopefully will make a big splash in the senior ranks, she gives off the impression also that she has a lot more to give. <b>Daria Skrypnik </b>has been well known for years, she's got beautiful lines and is typically Russian in style. Best on bars, DTY under her belt like <b>Melnikova</b> and potential on beam...overall I'm not convinced about her though. Maybe with more time. <b>Natalia Kapitonova </b>is outstanding on bars, but like <b>Skrypnik </b>will struggle to make an impact there when they already have such strength on the event. She's nice on floor too but not very high-scoring. <b>Ekaterina Sokova </b>has been dealing with injury, hopefully she'll be back in fine fettle this year. She's built like <b>Melnikova </b>and is similar, a good all-arounder and beamer.<br />
<br />
Romania could do with about 15 or so new seniors to replenish the ranks. <b>Asiana Peng </b>who was a big deal a few years back seems to have faded from the equation gradually so we can pretty much count her out, sadly and she's probably not the only one given <b>Romania</b>'s recent-ish track record with junior/premature retirements. <b>Andreea Ciurusniuc </b>and <b>Andra Stoica </b>were the ones I had my eye on, but I haven't heard anything about the latter lately. <b>Ciurusniuc </b>competed quite a bit in 2015, she's solid..not outstanding but has good potential. Good floor. I've definitely fallen out of touch with Romania's juniors/new seniors this last year, <b>Maria Holbura </b>who's a new senior is a relatively new name to me, whereas others on my list seem to have fallen by the wayside.<br />
<br />
China has gained a LOT of fresh faces to the senior ranks, although for now they can be roughly divided into those poised for Rio selection and those who are focused more towards next quad given their lack of upgrades. Among them are <b>Liu Tingting, Lv Jiaqi Luo Huan, Zhou Linlin, Liu Jinru, Lu Yufei, Fu Yuyao, Gong Kangyi, Wu Jing</b> and <b>Zhang Jin</b>. Some names are much, much more familiar than others and I've got some catching up to do. Not much has been heard of <b>Lv Jiaqi </b>or <b>Luo Huan </b>lately- they could be dealing with injury etc. but hopefully they'll be in the mix this year- I've been awaiting them for years, along with <b>Liu Tingting. </b>The latter shines on beam with some fantastic connections but she's super solid everywhere. Very sparky and energetic, as well as super-clean. Still has a good bit of future potential to unlock and difficulty to improve throughout the next quad, but I would definitely say she's one to watch for this year too. <b>Fu Yuyao </b>is fabulous also with massive potential. Another great beamer but in general her difficulty is so low that it's all about the future with her. Likewise <b>Zhou Linlin </b>although hers is higher- beam is her strong event so she'd need to improve elsewhere and/or pile on the difficulty to stand out, at the moment her bars and floor are a bit uninspiring however. <b>Gong Kangyi </b>breaks the mould a bit- she excels on floor where she's got some very nice tumbling already and an ambitious first pass. She's got a nice beam to her name but is surprisingly super weak on vault and bars are not her thing, but her floor is quite valuable. She's falling somewhere between the two groups. Firmly in the first camp though is <b>Liu Jinru</b> who is developing nicely into the powerhouse she showed flashes of years ago- she was interestingly once coached by <b>Cheng Fei</b>, albeit briefly. Her floor is strong but vault is the main attraction with very difficult vaults already under her belt. Rudi and DTT I believe, although I am hopeless at differentiating Tsuk and handspring vaults. All in all seems like exciting times ahead for China.<br />
<br />
<b>Shallon Olsen </b>is finally a senior! Her floor and vault should be a great boost to Canada, there's video proof of the amanar in training that she has looked capable of for years and she HAS competed a Silivas. Definitely one to watch. Canada will also net <b>Rose Kaying-Woo </b>and <b>Megan Roberts</b>.<br />
<br />
<b>Elizabet Vasileva </b>of Bulgaria is also a senior. She's always exciting to watch just for the fun of her ridiculous flexibility.<br />
<br />
And last but not least, I'm excited to see <b>Koko Dobashi </b>of Japan who is really lovely to watch on all events.<br />
<br />
Who are you most excited about? Which country/team will be most impacted in your view? How long until off-season is over??<br />
<br />
<br />Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-42868920223675755442015-12-22T22:05:00.001+00:002015-12-22T22:09:25.206+00:00Draft COP 2017-2020Ugh, another long break without posting. I've been dealing with minor but intensely annoying health issues...after a long, long time of my hypothyroidism being stable to the point I'd forget about it, it's now not at all and the solution of decreasing meds was an absolutely terrible one so now I'm very very very hypothyroid (ic???) and the fatigue is a total killer, not up for much other than work and work is a nightmare with it. Complete nuisance when med changes take so long to take affect. Moving on...the draft COP for the next quad!<br />
<br />
https://www.docdroid.net/J5HZsI1/wag-cop-2017-2020-draft-1.pdf.html<br />
<br />
Anyway, this will be short! In good news...<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Note: Handpsring fwd on- tucked double salto fwd off: If the 2nd salto is not completed because the gymnast lands on the feet and bottom simultaneously, then the vault will be recognised as Handspring fwd on- Tucked fwd Salto off</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://worldartsme.com/images/free-hallelujah-clipart-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://worldartsme.com/images/free-hallelujah-clipart-1.jpg" height="180" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This had better make it to the final version OR ELSE. They'd want the wording watertight also. Another good bit of news lurking is that the forward element will be scrapped from floor, meaning no daft front or side aerials. It wasn't ever something I felt really strong about, but it was definitely jarring to choreography and for that reason, it's welcome.<br />
<br />
The 2 point penalty for vaulting with one arm is back, I'd be interested to know how strict that will be followed in practice..must true propulsion be in evidence from both hands or will touching the board be a grey area?<br />
<br />
The arabian double layout, the Dos Santos II, is now a H. YES finally! Maybe it will encourage someone to actually do this skill.<br />
<br />
I haven't delved fully into it to see changes to combinations/connections etc. on beam and bars but will be doing so. Looks like Netherlands are being punished for underuse of acro skills on floor, floor will need 3 dance skills and 3 acro skills and 2 extra skills...not 100% about these two skills, if they are compulsory or allowed or what. If they're not compulsory, they might as well be since everyone will use them to drive difficulty.<br />
<br />
What I definitely don't like is devaluing of vaults. I don't really see the point of trying to bring it more into line with other events, by its very nature it's very quick so execution will always be much higher than others. It just seems unneccessary and will for me take away from the excitement of ranking and scoring a little bit.<br />
<br />
I definitely have some more reading to do. While it is the draft, I'm sure a lot of it will end up finalised. What are your thoughts? Favourite change? Worst? What have they overlooked? Who should get a raise for FINALLY seeing the danger of the Produnova? Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-61108119212643391132015-11-17T23:06:00.001+00:002015-11-18T06:28:45.756+00:00Highlights of GlasgowYup, definitely still wishing worlds was yet to come instead of finishing a few weeks ago.<br />
<br />
<b>Location </b><br />
<br />
Glasgow is a great city, I really enjoyed it. Not exactly spectacularly different to Dublin...certainly they have the same mild at best-wet and cold at worst weather systems, but that's okay since I don't have much time for the sun anyway. I'm getting good at picking hotels and always aim for an old one that's not a dump. Our hotel was not only a spectacular Victorian behemoth of a building, it was right in the centre and <i>above </i>the train station, which was a whopping 2 stops away from the arena. Seriously convenient. Glasgow seems to have a bad reputation here, most people made a face and suggested Edinburgh instead, a very nice city which spectacularly lacked the main reason for going in the first place. I get the impression it used to be a rough place but you can tell a lot of work has gone into regenerating it and I always felt safe, even on Hallowe'en night which is a spectacularly dangerous night back home. Very friendly place.<br />
<br />
The arena itself is fantastic, very fancy. The seats are tiered quite high and I'm not happy that the 'priority' seats released first afforded me seats in the upper tiers only, despite buying a few hours after release. Clearly I am dedicated, do <i>not </i>shaft me on this. I'll know next time not to go ahead and buy, I just thought that was the availability. Lol. Antwerp was very, very different. Anyway, the view was fine, I just suffered jealousy of the people with seating much lower down. But it WAS good to get a great overall view, and our best seats were for the AA which was most important to me.<br />
<br />
<strong>Stage </strong><br />
<br />
I never realised that introductions were missing from worlds, but it really added a lot to the atmosphere and it was wonderful to see teams and individuals recognised like this, with their huge flag behind them and some very catchy music-sometimes even matching the gymnast in some way. Nice bit of hype-building and I really hope that's not the last we've seen of it.<br />
<br />
<b>Diverse finals/better depth </b><br />
<br />
It was just great to see much more diverse finals than we are used to, echoing MAG almost. This hasn't been an overnight change, but was more noticeable than in past worlds I thought. It's a big jump from the last Olympics and will be interesting to compare to Rio's finals. Vault was as usual the most diverse, but beam wasn't far behind for once. <i>Two </i>Dutch girls. While beam itself has suffered bigtime this quad and inconsistency even among the best is still a major issue, the fact that it's less deep than last quad is balanced out for me by the refreshing different styles on display, afforded by the diversity of the finalists. If only they could stay on the beam.<br />
<br />
Floor and bars are stronger than ever, which is very exciting and bodes well for next year. And that was a floor final <i>without </i><b>Aly Raisman</b>. Considering the quality of this year's floor final, there were quite a few big names missing. When you think that next year we'll be expecting <b>Simone Biles</b>, a second American such as the aforementioned <b>Aly </b>though medal-winner <b>Maggie </b>was certainly a worthy finalist, <b>Ellie Black, Giulia Steingruber</b>, <b>Shang Chunsong, Ellie Downie, Claudia Fragapane, Larisa Iordache/?? Catalina Ponor ??, Vanessa Ferrari, Sae Miyakawa, Ksenia Afanasyeva </b>and more to be vying for places...<br />
<br />
On bars, the standard has definitely been raised. There have always been routines of the calibre the 4 gold medallists showed (what a sentence) but not quite so many. And there are plenty that are right behind them.<b> </b>The fact that most routines are fairly similar and shap-heavy is a bit of a drag, but some managed to stand out, such as <b>Shang Chunsong </b>with multiple releases, and <b>Ruby Harrold </b>for her unique skillset. A great routine to cap off the final.<br />
<br />
The<b> </b>AA rankings both in qualifiers and finals were certainly an unusual mix, it was great to see <b>Giulia Steingruber </b>qualify 2nd behind only the untouchable <b>Simone Biles </b>and even though a fall on beam put paid to a repeat in finals, it really bodes well for how far she has come as an all-arounder. A shaken <b>Romania </b>clawed back to great places in the AA, from which they were completely out of the top 10 in qualifying-<b>Larisa Iordache </b>of course admirably clawing her way to bronze and <b>Laura Jurca </b>showing her potential finally to finish in 8th after qualifying 22nd. The best though was seeing <b>Mai Murakami </b>completely unexpectedly finishing 6th. It will be great to see <b>Russia </b>have more of a presence in the AA next year hopefully, with <b>Seda</b>'s inconsistency putting paid to any glory there, but it was nice to have the focus more spread out.<br />
<br />
<b>GB Bronze Team Final </b><br />
<br />
I don't think anyone expected that, and it blew the roof off. To get their first ever team final medal on home soil is just incredible. Seeing their reactions when the score came in and the realisation that their vault scores had been enough - it looked like they didn't let themselves believe it could be even after<strong> Russia</strong> imploded- was just such a great moment, historical and heartwarming. I didn't think it was possible-they are still a team that are on the way, having made huge strides but still affected by issues such as depth and messy form lowering scores, and of course it's a team final that didn't have <strong>Romania</strong> in it and had<strong> Russia</strong> counting no less than 4 falls-but it comes to the same thing, it doesn't matter what you CAN do, unless you can put it together when it counts like in the team final, and<strong> GB</strong> certainly accomplished that.<br />
<br />
<strong>Netherlands qualifying for team final</strong> <br />
<br />
Up there in terms of achievements with GB's medal. Who'd a thunk it? Doubly fantastic since it means they've qualified a team to the Olympics. Their greatest achievement to date on worlds and Olympics stage was<strong> Celine Van Gerner</strong> placing 12th in the London Olympics. Competing singly for her country, since NL haven't qualified a team to the Olympics in a long, long time, if ever. And this isn't even through the Test Event, but directly through worlds. This is a team who I was hoping would individually make a final or two, so that I would be able to watch them in person, but I never anticipated team final. One of those elegant types to enjoy watching but withhold hope from. They definitely had some issues in team finals, which was perhaps not surprising, but were nevertheless glorious to watch from the very moment they came on stage and performed their stunning and elegant salute, encompassing all they are as a team.<br />
<br />
<strong>Netherlands individual qualifying and finals</strong> <br />
<br />
Staying with the Dutch girls, I was flabbergasted to see <strong>Lieke Wevers </strong>qualifying 5th into the all-around. In the best way. Considering her start values, it highlights how vital execution and expression can be to scores, and how seriously FIG can take it. Sadly, <strong>Eythora Thorsdottir </strong>was just barely knocked out of the AA herself, but snuck into the beam final. Of course, she proceeded to have the oddest fall there but she was in good company with 50% of the finalists falling and it was still great to see her in person. I didn't dare hold out hope that <strong>Sanne Wevers </strong>would hit in the beam final, after qualifying second but having a nightmare in team finals-no outright disaster but failing her connections and thus a composite requirement, but lo and behold, beam silver! Brilliant result!<br />
<br />
<strong>US steadiness </strong><br />
<br />
When you see teams with enormous potential dealing with enormous flaws- such as mass inconsistency from <strong>Russia</strong>, chronic lack of depth, political issues and abysmal bars from <strong>Romania</strong>, lack of depth, politics and power from <strong>China</strong>, form issues, lack of depth and minor inconsistency from <strong>GB </strong>etc. etc....it is just so GREAT to see a team nail everything. 12 solid, hit routines. Not only do they show power and consistency, but confidence, and the skills are always secure, you never have to hope the gymnast will rotate it fully. It's refreshing. Their qualifications performance was just so jarring and odd, but never fear, they were back to their robotically solid selves when it counted. <br />
<br />
<strong>Watching Simone Biles in person </strong><br />
<br />
History in motion, she is fascinating to watch and it's fun to think that I've so far been able to see her in action twice, considering she will go down as one of the most legendary and talented gymnasts of all time. It's just bizarre to be blown away by her routines and know that she still has more to give and the potential for yet more difficulty. <br />
<br />
<strong>China </strong><br />
<br />
Getting their act together for team silver. I've become too used to falls and mistakes from them, and qualifications did not inspire confidence, so I was thrilled to see them so solid in finals. Not perfect, (<em>why </em>can you never stay on the beam <strong>Wang Yan</strong>??) but 11/12 and a really quite super vault rotation of all things is still not to be sniffed at.<br />
<br />
<strong>Shang Chunsong 4th AA, general hit record</strong> <br />
<br />
She has previously stood out at worlds for all of the wrong reasons, so to witness her hitting again and again (yup, fell off beam after waiting far too long for the judges in quals but...just quals) and coming so close to beating <strong>Larisa Iordache </strong>was wonderful. She'll always be let down as regards AA as long as she carries a flat FTY, but to come so close is impressive. It's also nice to see her become the face of her team, and gain a ton of fans. The spread of her story has definitely helped, and has helped explain her circumstances etc, but I do feel a bit uneasy about it considering how detailed it is, just wondering does she know or did she give permission for all of it. Anyway, to come away from worlds with 2 4th places and one of them undeservedly low is disappointing, but she still has great performances and showed more of her potential than she has previously on the international stage.<br />
<br />
<strong>Russia </strong><br />
<br />
Coming back from being a complete nonentity in the all-around and a meltdown in the team finals to shine in event finals, with no less than 3 golds and 1 silver. Despite some qualms about colours of some of those medals, there's no doubt they were impressive and it's great they were able to make a comeback.<br />
<br />
<strong>Harsh scoring</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
I definitely have some issues with individual scores but overall, I felt the scoring was harsh and fair. It was reassuring to see them come down hard on things, on a relatively equal playing field.<br />
<br />
Last but definitely not least..<br />
<br />
<strong>Meeting the Biles</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Still feels bizarre to have been invited to meet them, and very flattering to have my blog recognised. I had a great morning to start off event finals day 1, lovely people.<br />
<br />
<br />
I'll probably do a part 2 to this, with lowlights, routines, things like that. Definitely still more to talk about this worlds. What were YOUR highlights? Favourite unexpected hitters? Or moments from off the competition floor? Best hair bow?<br />
<br />
<br />Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-84730331396382976032015-11-08T17:57:00.000+00:002015-11-08T17:57:47.767+00:00Event FinalsI'm definitely still in the post-Glasgow slump. Hard to believe it's been and gone, when I've been waiting for it since the moment Antwerp worlds ended.<br />
<br />
Anyway, last things first! How about those event final podiums?<br />
<br />
I've gone through vault already, and my opinion hasn't really altered. I think the top two were deservedly close, but the edge was with <strong>Hong un Jong</strong>. When they are both performing the same vaults though with their own set of flaws, it's so hard to call. I'd like if the podium was slightly reshuffled, but I'm definitely not mad or anything. It was really sad to witness <strong>Giulia Steingruber </strong>injuring herself after already fearing the worst when she put up 5.8 for the second vault. Thankfully, it looks like she avoided doing any major damage and will still be good to go for Rio. I really love how diverse that final was- USA, China, Russia but also Mexico, Switzerland, North Korea, Great Britain and India. Another low point was <strong>Dipa Karmarkar</strong>'s Produnova- looking forward to the day they are either removed or no longer worth the risk-and also <strong>Alexa Moreno Medina</strong>'s lack of mastery of her vaults, they were really just about rotated and a complete scramble.<br />
<br />
Bars though, definitely had crazy judging. A tie was justifiable, but not 4-way. The podium to me should have been <strong>Viktoria Komova</strong>-Gold, <strong>Fan Yilin-</strong>Silver, <strong>Daria Spiridonova-</strong>Bronze. <strong>Daria </strong>had a few too many handstand errors to be further up, while <strong>Madison Kocian </strong>is possibly justifiable for a tied bronze. I think that while she is very dynamic, she has too many tiny form errors adding up such as leg separations/bent elbows. I'm not sure if this was visible on any streams, but each time a score came in, the big screen showed it against the current highest score, which was pretty cool. For bars they used a different 15.366 every time as current highest, but when <strong>Vika</strong>'s score came in, she showed up against herself as the score to beat. Highlighted how very weird the whole thing was. Interesting podium ceremony to witness too! Very curious to know if there will be repurcussions from this...hopefully not future tie-breaking at worlds.<br />
<br />
I went into beam without any high hopes, knowing that most finals these days have a ridiculously high number of falls. Even with that though, I held out for <strong>Wang Yan </strong>to medal and the Dutch girls not to fall. <strong>Eythora </strong>had the unwelcome draw of first-up, and had such a strange fall. Looked from my angle and from watching it back that it was salvageable, but I'm glad she even made the final and it was still a glorious routine, though a bit frightening when her head veered back near the beam after dismounting. The biggest shock from <strong>Viktoria Komova</strong>'s routine wasn't that she had a major error, but that she didn't jump off in resignation like we are too used to seeing time after time. A nice routine otherwise with the usual gorgeous form, although it was overly hesitant. I can't enjoy watching her beam because it's too nerve-wracking and she rarely flows anymore. What was somewhat funny was the shock and negative reaction to her score from the crowd around us when her score came in, who seemed to have forgotten the major save and how costly they are. I've seen some comments around that the best part of the final or the 'real victory' of it was her not falling, which is really quite sad. Anyway, back to business of beam finals with more actual falls, from <strong>Ellie Black </strong>on her full twist, <strong>Wang Yan </strong>on her layout and <strong>Seda Tutkhalyan </strong>on her layout full. None of these were a surprise, all 3 have been splatting regularly all year<strong>. </strong>They all seem fully capable of their high difficulty, but seem to get a bit lost in landing of their hard skills in a competitive setting. Hopefully they can rework things a bit, even downgrade, to get proper consistency.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, we were graced with some hit routines. <strong>Simone Biles </strong>pretty much nailed everything, I was particularly pleased her 2.5 wolf had no wobbles and her Barani-once a vulnerable part of the routine-was completely secure, everything after that especially the super-flighty BHS-LOSO-LOSO series and practically stuck dismount was a bonus. Considering how sadly used we are to seeing several wobbles, broken connections and really hesitant work if not outright falls from top routines, it is such a relief to see such clean, difficult work in a flowing routine. <strong>Lieke Wevers</strong>, as the second qualifier, stepped up to the plate and delivered a gorgeous routine. Not quite as steady as she can do it, but it was much closer to her lovely quals routine than the messy TF one. <strong>Pauline Schaefer </strong>also had a nice routine -plenty of little wobbles-but nothing serious. It's well composed and impressive even without her own skill in it. I love this podium, but that was a rough final. Far too many falls and major errors. I'm over this quad's beam and looking forward to whatever FIG have in store for it after Rio.<br />
<br />
Floor was such a great final routines-wise, so deep. But the podium...not happy with it at all. <strong>Simone Biles </strong>had yet another great routine and claimed gold by a mile, no arguments there, but silver and bronze are questionable. <strong>Ksenia Afanasyeva </strong>completed her tumbling and leaps with ease, not so much her turns though. She received 0.3 in d-score for a turn she did not complete, bearing in mind <strong>Shang Chunsong </strong>did not receive credit for a turn <em>she </em>did not complete. Both were obviously not around, so where was the consistency there? <strong>Afan</strong>'s routine was a bit lacklustre by her old standards, little expression or enthusiasm and just dull, but it was the d-score that I had the major problem with. It didn't deserve to be in the top half of the scoreboard as a result. I would have put <strong>Sae Miyakawa </strong>in second- she had a glorious routine, super clean tumbling with only 2 slightly short landings to mar it and really and truly deserved a medal. <strong>Shang Chunsong </strong>had the floor routine of her life-such a pity she didn't complete the turn, but even with that, she deserved a slightly higher score. It seems like they are killing her for her legs/knees in twisting passes (which isn't even clear in real time), but not killing <strong>Maggie Nichols</strong>, whose leg form is much looser/untidier in her tumbles. Both were great, I would have had them tie or <strong>Shang </strong>barely ahead. <br />
<br />
What does your floor podium look like? Who would you have put ahead on bars? What are they going to do with beam to fix it? This time exactly a week ago it was all over....aghhh the realisation that the next European worlds are FOUR YEARS AWAY...<br />
<br />
I definitely have more stuff in my head to post, moreso reactions rather than rehashing competitions, in the next few days.<br />
<br />
<br />Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-62876130890642825202015-10-31T18:42:00.000+00:002015-10-31T18:42:59.935+00:00What a dayJust a short one because I only have my phone and blogging on it is a bit painful in terms of long posts. Having a brilliant time at worlds and I have a LOT to write about but today gets a special mention.<br />
<br /><br />
First of all, I was invited to breakfast by none other than Ron and Nellie Biles, Simone's parents! They are fans of my blog. I am a big Simone fan so it was a great experience to meet such lovely people, I feel very grateful and honoured. Worlds is even more fun when something completely unexpected like that happens. <br />
<br /><br />
Secondly, what a competition! I don't even know what to say and I'm really looking forward to watching the broadcasts. It was obvious vault would be close, but I'm not sure what to think about the podium order. Both Hong un Jong and Maria Paseka had excellent vaults, but I thought Hong would have just edged it. Not quite as dead centre as Paseka perhaps (I'm a need the stream to verify that) and she did have deep hips on one vault, but they were overall much neater as Paseka's vaults are definitely marred by the huge straddle-like leg split she has on blocking. One of those results that could go either way I suppose, but a tie if not an outright win for Hong sits better than me. It was great to see Maria's emotion though after a so-far worse than mediocre showing for Russia.<br />
<br /><br />
Simone was always going to have her work cut out for her for gold, given that she has 0.8 less difficulty than either of the other two, so she would really have needed sticks for both vaults, or almost sticks. Although she managed it in qualifying, I think her ranking was fair this time around given her landings. <br />
<br /><br />
And bars. LOL bars. On the one hand, this was another that was always going to be close so a tie was not hugely surprising. However, a record-breaking tie like that is beyond bizarre. To me, Viktoria Komova seemed to be just that bit slightly ahead of the pack. Most of the rest had more tiny errors, less dynamic, flattish releases, flexed feet, shallow inbars, bent elbows. Madison Kocian is a fabulous bars worker, very zippy and precise but I do think she has more of these tiny flaws than the rest and falls slightly below their level. I don't think too many would have pegged her for gold. Not that anyone would peg 4 girls for gold anyway. <br />
<br /><br />
On the one hand, ties are fun. Gold for everyone! All of the amazing routines are world champion routines! But it does scream of inadequacies in the judging system that so many couldn't be separated. The debate about that will rage for quite a while I think..Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-79151412303457474962015-10-25T21:34:00.002+00:002015-10-25T21:36:07.286+00:00This is why predictions are a fool's gameI was thinking about doing them earlier this year, but couldn't get any kind of proper idea of podiums together at all, so I abandoned it. Which is just as well because..<br />
<br />
<strong>Romania </strong>are not only not in team finals, they're far from it, in 13th place. I was afraid they would struggle to make TF earlier this year with news of lack of motivation and poor scores..then less afraid when <strong>Catalina Ponor </strong>came back <em>again</em>. It's not surprising that they missed it, <strong>Romania </strong>have been heading in this direction for years, but it is shocking when it actually happens- and it to miss by so much.<br />
<br />
<strong>China </strong>had their best rotation on vault, and then completely messed up bars and beam. And floor, though that's not a surprise. They had major issues but also suffered from some dodgy scoring it seems. My hope is that they can only be better than this in team finals, not least because they only have to field 3 per event.<br />
<br />
<strong>Giulia Steingruber </strong>qualified second to the AA, ahead of <strong>Gabby Douglas</strong>. Both had falls, so they're equal. <strong>Gabby </strong>is not competing at her full level of ability, or her 2012 level, but she is nevertheless very strong so it's seriously impressive for <strong>Giulia</strong>, who continues to steadily improve, to surge ahead of her.<br />
<br />
<strong>Japan </strong>competed super strong, despite losing a key player to injury recently, and qualified higher than anticipated. They are always steady but their difficulty usually makes them hover much lower.<br />
<br />
<strong>NETHERLANDS </strong>are in TF and are going to Rio! This is a beautiful team but I didn't hold out hope for that as they're also quite inconsistent. Not only was the team effort super impressive but they also have <strong>Lieke Wevers </strong>5th in the AA and <strong>Sanne Wevers </strong>2nd in the beam final and <strong>Eythora Thorsdottir </strong>8th! <strong>Sanne</strong>'s beam was a highlight for me.<br />
<br />
Team <strong>USA </strong>were fractured and nervous, not showing their usual businesslike consistency at all. For the first time since 2010 in worlds or Olympics, they had a fall. 4 in fact, from 3 routines from 3 girls. This is not what we're used to, not from this level of talent. Of course, they still qualified 5 points ahead of anyone else, but even that doesn't change the fact that qualifications went about as bad as it could have for them. <br />
<br />
<strong>Aly Raisman </strong>was shaky and showed none of her usual rock-like tendencies when she competes for her team. OOB on the layout was a disaster and knocked her out of floor finals, then compounded with the bars fall, huge bounces on her amanar landing (on what was otherwise quite a nice one for her) and a very safe downgraded bean routine meant she was also knocked out of the AA final. No individual finals and she was practically a given for AA and floor silver! <br />
<br />
<br />
Some things though, are not that surprising..<br />
<br />
<strong>Larisa Iordache </strong>was always going to have an uphill battle to be anything like the gymnast she was last year, having a tough year injury-wise and team pressure wise. It's not too shocking to see her far down the list of AA qualifiers, although it is sad. I was very much hoping she would knock it out of the park somehow and show herself capable of AA bronze. She COULD still do that, but it's looking unlikely.<br />
<br />
<strong>Simone Biles </strong>was her usual superhuman self, acing everything and leaving everyone else in the dust. Her 15.933 on floor means she could have fallen and still qualified first which is just ludicrous and says everything about her ability. It also makes dirt of the argument that she would never score anything approaching 16 for it at worlds as she had been doing in the US. Beam has where she's shown more vulnerability (well, any) and the wolf was the culprit there, but I don't think she'll have any major issues and it wasn't enough to prevent her qualifying first. Nor was the fact that she competes a 5.6 vault enough to stop her doing the same on vault, where's she's up against girls with 0.8 more difficulty. Killer execution is still important it seems.<br />
<br />
<br />
What is great about this worlds is how open it is. Gold is a lock on some events, but precious little else is. There's a huge amount of non big-4 in event finals and high in the AA qualifying list...more than I can remember seeing in the last few years, and that's always a positive thing. Team bronze is up for grabs, so is the AA and floor after <strong>Simone</strong>, vault is going to be tight, and bars is an interesting one. The scoring of the Chinese gymnasts is going to be shaken up in event finals when they're all on an even keel. Not to mention the prospect of a Dutch medal on beam. I am EXCITED.<br />
<strong></strong><br />Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-63569806395444850722015-10-23T21:11:00.000+01:002015-10-23T21:26:32.664+01:00Back...just in time :)I think it's a sign that Chrome will NOT let me sign it to blogger there and I have to use internet explorer that I suck at blogging this year. This is due to a combination of a job that is bananas, killer fatigue, a ridiculously addictive book series taking up my time, and not having a laptop most of the time. BUT anyway, worlds is HERE and I'm flying out on Tuesday! At about 7am but hey, the flight cost a tenner.<br />
<br />
At the moments my thoughts are much less cohesive than usual, it's difficult to catch up. I just watched most of<strong> Russia's</strong> qualification which was very interesting and I'm now watching<strong> USA's</strong> podium training stream. I tried to watch<strong> Romania's</strong> qualification, but the unblocker won't work for it. Another sign....by all accounts it would be a depressing, frustrating watch so I might be better off giving it a miss. I will try <strong>GB's</strong> next though. The most impressive thing from <strong>Russia</strong>'s qualification is probably <strong>Seda</strong>'s save on her layout full. I'm not used to impressive fights to stay on from them, it was great.<br />
<br />
I'm fairly surprised at <strong>Mykayla Skinner </strong>being officially named as <strong>USA</strong>'s alternate. It doesn't make a whole bunch of sense, since she is the best non<strong>-Simone </strong>EF medal hope that they have. I could not be more thrilled that <strong>Brenna Dowell </strong>is finally ON the team, WILL compete, AND will get a named skill! I just want all of the good things for her and am so impressed she is in this position at all. Not only are they potentially squandering an EF medal though, <strong>Mykayla </strong>is of little use on beam and bars so not exactly number 1 alternate material. Of course, it doesn't really matter when they have such an insane advantage anyway, but they normally act as if every tenth and medal count so...yup, surprised. But pleased. I was so sure it was between <strong>Brenna </strong>and <strong>Maggie. Maggie </strong>of course looks far too strong to be 'just' an alternate....but she doesn't stand out enough to be used extensively otherwise, and she would slot in anywhere. <br />
<br />
I'd like to also belatedly chime in with the general sentiment on <strong>Alaina Kwan </strong>and <strong>Kylie Dickson</strong> competing for <strong>Belarus</strong>. It stinks. It was of course already dodgy enough considering neither girl has any connection at all to the country and has never been there, but to replace their own National Team girls without even an attempt at equal footing for places is pathetic. I cannot read/watch interviews with the two girls either as they have no idea what they're doing other than 'Yay worlds!'. They are young, but they should be coached a little better. One of the more infuriating phrases was how they described the US team as being 'already picked' without any sort of appreciation that they are nowhere near the standard required, and did not even make Nationals....aghhhh. I must remember to check up on how they're doing now.<br />
<br />
I'm still absorbing the news that <strong>Romania </strong>won't make <em>team finals. </em>Mental. In a way, considering how weak they are, fresh injuries and their star not at her best, it shouldn't be surprising. But it's so shocking! I feel like I can't really comment on team's performances yet until I work my way through the streams. I'm impressed by what I saw of <strong>Russia </strong>but I've seen precious little else.<br />
<br />
Back to the stream for now. I cannot WAIT to see <strong>Simone </strong>live in action again. I will post a bit during worlds but since it'll be my phone, it won't make for 'proper' posts either. Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2287202282884938977.post-18835642222465781172015-08-19T23:49:00.000+01:002015-08-19T23:51:15.818+01:00Every single Nationals leotard rankedExcept podium training because I am but one person. Here we go!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>And the winner is....</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11889466_10152605822477168_7695060477277845836_n.jpg?oh=86014ee0e1988cda9459dabe40cf7622&oe=5672F16D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11889466_10152605822477168_7695060477277845836_n.jpg?oh=86014ee0e1988cda9459dabe40cf7622&oe=5672F16D" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Olivia Dunne </b>Day 2. This is perfection. Black makes the best background, and the mesh is pretty with not too many sparkles. The design is so original and striking, and perfectly proportioned. This is a dream and has nothing I would change. 10/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Honourable mention</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11200613_10152605821782168_8559351859600197947_n.jpg?oh=92ecbe4c48444175fd85ebbead2f7a6e&oe=56756978" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11200613_10152605821782168_8559351859600197947_n.jpg?oh=92ecbe4c48444175fd85ebbead2f7a6e&oe=56756978" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>MG Elite Day 2.</b> This was the best photo without pesky obscuring medals. Stunning colours, and I love how the fade is vaguely vertical, it's unusual. Somewhat celestial. Gorgeous sparkle patterns on this too. 9.5/10<br />
<br />
Read on for the rest of the 63 leotards in total...<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Seniors</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bailie Key- Day 1</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11885358_10152603557707168_1852284157818941710_n.jpg?oh=bee23620ee943a7845e22cbedc73e4cd&oe=56477B2B" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11885358_10152603557707168_1852284157818941710_n.jpg?oh=bee23620ee943a7845e22cbedc73e4cd&oe=56477B2B" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
I like the idea behind it. It's mental but cool. It's far too loud to actually like the leotard itself though, there's nothing pretty about it. 4/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11885254_10152606811767168_2195938040645141989_n.jpg?oh=4fb8af312a37566bae8e8550e0b27ede&oe=567815F3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11885254_10152606811767168_2195938040645141989_n.jpg?oh=4fb8af312a37566bae8e8550e0b27ede&oe=567815F3" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
She looks good in black. Again this is fun rather than nice - it could have been that also but the tux thing kills it. 5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Aly Raisman - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11855695_10152603557857168_6615512551877021644_n.jpg?oh=e63bfcb9a9c4fb1dfe9d58e8ed69d282&oe=567FCAEF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11855695_10152603557857168_6615512551877021644_n.jpg?oh=e63bfcb9a9c4fb1dfe9d58e8ed69d282&oe=567FCAEF" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
Beautiful. Love white, love the sparkle pattern and she looks stunning it it. A classic. 8.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11825144_10152606814727168_2448283256511185516_n.jpg?oh=d710b6590d758556b8e9b062a63fd294&oe=567C3218" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11825144_10152606814727168_2448283256511185516_n.jpg?oh=d710b6590d758556b8e9b062a63fd294&oe=567C3218" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
I love the body of this, lovely sublimation and the sparkles over the white is eye-catching. I like the sweeping red/blue lines framing the top of the body but the actual red/blue swirly things on the shoulder are a bit off. Maybe just some plainer sparkles there would have this perfect. I want to see this as the TF leo...7/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Lauren Navarro - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11836804_10152603558822168_3896920048487283090_n.jpg?oh=a21c2631164377c8e54418b4c75edec1&oe=56356E81" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11836804_10152603558822168_3896920048487283090_n.jpg?oh=a21c2631164377c8e54418b4c75edec1&oe=56356E81" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
This could have been amazing but it just wasn't quite there. The top of the bodice seems a bit ridged or something, there's something off-putting about it. There's also too much sheer fabric going on-plenty on the low back too. 7/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11900047_10152606812772168_2569639717323376540_n.jpg?oh=f0aeaf40824ce2cc1d338a681107462b&oe=567BE223" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11900047_10152606812772168_2569639717323376540_n.jpg?oh=f0aeaf40824ce2cc1d338a681107462b&oe=567BE223" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
The sparkles on the bodice looked a little cheap or something, I would have preferred if they were randomly scattered too. Love the neckline/sleeve pattern - very unusual. White is almost always a winner. 8/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>GAGE Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11892212_10152603558977168_8969304398530432403_n.jpg?oh=2addbd64440effb2778e36a0d2efa960&oe=5670B625" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11892212_10152603558977168_8969304398530432403_n.jpg?oh=2addbd64440effb2778e36a0d2efa960&oe=5670B625" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There aren't many redeeming features here, except for the wearer of course. Very garish colours, ugly flower thing and nude mesh is the WORST. 2/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11855803_10152606811982168_1051962496483040387_n.jpg?oh=253e8b545ad721098609d424a2e15292&oe=563F766D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11855803_10152606811982168_1051962496483040387_n.jpg?oh=253e8b545ad721098609d424a2e15292&oe=563F766D" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
No no no, no to nude mesh! Much better colours but the white and black swirls add nothing to this and I hate how it looks angrily chewed up at the top of the bodice. 2/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Nia Dennis - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11899968_10152603559917168_5205866848870623638_n.jpg?oh=96c8476c2654531014e43cb55f6e0d0e&oe=567C09BC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11899968_10152603559917168_5205866848870623638_n.jpg?oh=96c8476c2654531014e43cb55f6e0d0e&oe=567C09BC" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Gorgeous colours. I like the ombre, the sleeves and the halterneck effect. I do NOT like the amount of mesh right on the chest, it's just wrong and it ruins the whole thing. The random white spray...I'm not sold on it. Could have been prettier. 4.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11903788_10152606813072168_6837169775949290136_n.jpg?oh=e4bdeab5762592cd78220cac6a9c1f8f&oe=568204DC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11903788_10152606813072168_6837169775949290136_n.jpg?oh=e4bdeab5762592cd78220cac6a9c1f8f&oe=568204DC" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
Stunning colours, and so beautiful on her. The cuffs are not good though. This is another meaningless swirl that adds nothing, something is needed to break it up, but not an ugly swirl. 5/10<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>WOGA Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11896024_10152603559407168_7733121548078214841_n.jpg?oh=847f9a4aea600066fb88baaac6ed2efe&oe=563A48A6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11896024_10152603559407168_7733121548078214841_n.jpg?oh=847f9a4aea600066fb88baaac6ed2efe&oe=563A48A6" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
White and black is always good on paper. I hate the pattern though, especially the top left where it sprouts up onto the mesh. 5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11891025_10152606813127168_680865558171570632_n.jpg?oh=69c90a56b833b21858ae9a9e109699c0&oe=5641E004" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11891025_10152606813127168_680865558171570632_n.jpg?oh=69c90a56b833b21858ae9a9e109699c0&oe=5641E004" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Inoffensive. Not my favourite shade of pink/purple but fine. I don't like the dip in the bodice, I'd prefer if it was less jarring. The criss-cross pattern on the white is cool. Overall though it is pretty boring. 5.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Simone Biles - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11855695_10152603558522168_5077933326062360018_n.jpg?oh=addd70261a29c4593567cb4d5217465d&oe=5672664B" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11855695_10152603558522168_5077933326062360018_n.jpg?oh=addd70261a29c4593567cb4d5217465d&oe=5672664B" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm torn about this one. I don't think the black/white ombre worked with the pink. The pink swirl IS nice but reminds me of a jellyfish. It did look good on the floor though. But the colours together..hmm. 6/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11902303_10152606811487168_2106616949082090825_n.jpg?oh=eb459274aa319bb72aa245ed2ae1bed0&oe=568423DF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11902303_10152606811487168_2106616949082090825_n.jpg?oh=eb459274aa319bb72aa245ed2ae1bed0&oe=568423DF" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
I love this colour red, and the white bit breaks it up perfectly. Could have done without the mesh, and the sparkles were a bit too concentrated on the cuffs. A good leo for quals, but overall a little dull. 6/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Maggie Nichols/Twin City Twisters - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11891172_10152603558692168_7111198381673294750_n.jpg?oh=d5e5df1e4ff10a13bb599bd6477f1f90&oe=563BCE8D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11891172_10152603558692168_7111198381673294750_n.jpg?oh=d5e5df1e4ff10a13bb599bd6477f1f90&oe=563BCE8D" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
This looked better in motion. I liked the sparkles, they don't look good in a still image though. Unusual pattern but it worked. Not a great shade of pink, a bit too barbie. Loved the neckline, border, and sleeves. 6/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11855620_10152606813752168_8907649048302829426_n.jpg?oh=71687659f305dc908761457f1cc73895&oe=56801046" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11855620_10152606813752168_8907649048302829426_n.jpg?oh=71687659f305dc908761457f1cc73895&oe=56801046" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
It's red, and the sleeves are cool. The deep V is not nice and it's filled with...nude.mesh. 3.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Kyla Ross - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11873739_10152603559072168_7012029282383096159_n.jpg?oh=9634be7bce35b937bcd78bca057ba234&oe=563FD50D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11873739_10152603559072168_7012029282383096159_n.jpg?oh=9634be7bce35b937bcd78bca057ba234&oe=563FD50D" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
The WOGA leo that I don't like is not any better in purple. This purple doesn't make for nice mesh either. 2/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11890914_10152606814872168_5975256813506228194_n.jpg?oh=aaab742e197fc2bfebf1da1798d3fdbd&oe=567DE63E" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11890914_10152606814872168_5975256813506228194_n.jpg?oh=aaab742e197fc2bfebf1da1798d3fdbd&oe=567DE63E" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
SO much better! So striking and amazing use of sparkles. Looked great in motion. To be super fussy, I would have liked it more in less metallic/shiny fabric. 7/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gabby Douglas - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11880692_10152603558342168_5235171678666162452_n.jpg?oh=6c458f91e1121ed62f4e36ac05713d08&oe=568368A6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11880692_10152603558342168_5235171678666162452_n.jpg?oh=6c458f91e1121ed62f4e36ac05713d08&oe=568368A6" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
What a classic leotard. Gorgeous colours, actually nice swirly bit. To be very picky, I'd have preferred if the top and sleeves were solid, I don't think brightly coloured mesh works. 7/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11888123_10152606812127168_5015619658104888347_n.jpg?oh=dcfdfb2438ddd5a55a573fffd7e9f78b&oe=5637B3AF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11888123_10152606812127168_5015619658104888347_n.jpg?oh=dcfdfb2438ddd5a55a573fffd7e9f78b&oe=5637B3AF" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm a sucker for purple, but it's not as nice. The white accents set it off nicely but they make it too 'typical GK' and remind me of the mountain range leo the whole world wore a few years ago. Not pleasant memories. Still though, purple. 6.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Everest - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11204971_10152603557622168_930997851316217088_n.jpg?oh=6d981865b20bd7504d864d56ec21a5b2&oe=567117AE" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11204971_10152603557622168_930997851316217088_n.jpg?oh=6d981865b20bd7504d864d56ec21a5b2&oe=567117AE" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
I still really like this, but it seems a bit dull now. Probably spoiled for choice at Nationals. 8/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/1499437_10152606812417168_2866111372199399678_n.jpg?oh=6bf01141c89514b4ec6e9a3f5b28ed5e&oe=56832835" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/1499437_10152606812417168_2866111372199399678_n.jpg?oh=6bf01141c89514b4ec6e9a3f5b28ed5e&oe=56832835" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And now for something completely different! This is much too bright for me, makes it garish. I find myself wishing the purpley bit was navy and the pink/coral a few shades darker. 5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mykayla Skinner - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11222798_10152603559537168_1668096074295430765_n.jpg?oh=57da0236601b2e66676b08eb01cdbc23&oe=56400842" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11222798_10152603559537168_1668096074295430765_n.jpg?oh=57da0236601b2e66676b08eb01cdbc23&oe=56400842" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'd have liked this more slightly darker, and again not a fan of bright mesh. It is lovely though, love the criss-cross. 7/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11870907_10152606812627168_1893619308121165011_n.jpg?oh=d297a258b9691ff57f00e9076d44cf3a&oe=5639AC8B" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11870907_10152606812627168_1893619308121165011_n.jpg?oh=d297a258b9691ff57f00e9076d44cf3a&oe=5639AC8B" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
Blah blah hatred for nude mesh. Also the reason for this particular shade- although it is pretty! I love the sheen off it too. The v is a bit too jagged or angular for my liking. 5.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Amelia Hudley/CGA - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11254065_10152603559382168_2890231213471656755_n.jpg?oh=3ddea127fd72eb022a59d53896b965b6&oe=56370B02" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11254065_10152603559382168_2890231213471656755_n.jpg?oh=3ddea127fd72eb022a59d53896b965b6&oe=56370B02" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
The wearer makes it amazing. I love the colours and sparkles but even with the teeth that I'm not sold on, it's a bit dull. 5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Rachel Gowey - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11880644_10152603559177168_6345759662804549172_n.jpg?oh=d0c14036409f67ddc1e23a97b64e8bca&oe=56700F3C" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11880644_10152603559177168_6345759662804549172_n.jpg?oh=d0c14036409f67ddc1e23a97b64e8bca&oe=56700F3C" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I could have lived with the blue, it's nice. Gym names emblazoned front and centre not so much. Lime green accents even less. 3/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11887862_10152606814077168_581527925742491611_n.jpg?oh=17d3bb06d8f16eac2cdeec0e3db2b27d&oe=56725337" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11887862_10152606814077168_581527925742491611_n.jpg?oh=17d3bb06d8f16eac2cdeec0e3db2b27d&oe=56725337" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
I've always liked this leo and purple IS the way to my heart. It's a bit boring though. 6.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Megan Skaggs - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11904110_10152603560247168_3326204368638758570_n.jpg?oh=9bea2c1b82910cb2a3c4462e4a61255c&oe=567B9E18" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11904110_10152603560247168_3326204368638758570_n.jpg?oh=9bea2c1b82910cb2a3c4462e4a61255c&oe=567B9E18" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It would have been nice to have a choice of photos. Anyway, this had too much going on and I didn't like how mismatched it was. Elegant sleeves with super-bright 'fun' bodice...nah. 4/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11825098_10152606813442168_473403731137604842_n.jpg?oh=22efdd7c4e515f62cde102a09425c85c&oe=5645AF10" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11825098_10152606813442168_473403731137604842_n.jpg?oh=22efdd7c4e515f62cde102a09425c85c&oe=5645AF10" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
An overkill of ombre...it's quite childish looking, or like a training leotard. In competition form, there's too much cloud-like swirl. The colours are pretty though. 4/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Olivia Dunne - Day 1 (see winner for Day 2!)</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11891270_10152602642002168_1327707299597756133_n.jpg?oh=1c24b2e68867909efbfa28e99b896e20&oe=56406F08" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11891270_10152602642002168_1327707299597756133_n.jpg?oh=1c24b2e68867909efbfa28e99b896e20&oe=56406F08" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
Loses an automatic point for the pink, although she works it so well. The heart is amazing! And was so glittery in the arena. Very unusual, very adorable. 7.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>MG Elite - Day 1 (see honourable mention for Day 2)</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11892094_10152602642352168_8892325661781540215_n.jpg?oh=273abb616b8012cbdc6238f55806535d&oe=56836540" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11892094_10152602642352168_8892325661781540215_n.jpg?oh=273abb616b8012cbdc6238f55806535d&oe=56836540" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
MG totally won the prize for best ombre anyway. This was fantastic, and I really hate banana yellow. Worked so well and was really fun, and suited both girls with their quite different colouring. 8/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Texas Dreams junior army - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11863486_10152602642897168_7145512598576500823_n.jpg?oh=346097465915a47b9a5f8799bd599375&oe=5684609A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11863486_10152602642897168_7145512598576500823_n.jpg?oh=346097465915a47b9a5f8799bd599375&oe=5684609A" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
Pretty, but much like <b>Simone </b>Day 1...sometimes for ombre the colours really need to relate more for it to work. Overall a jarring effect 6/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11887834_10152605861117168_2752147552845787198_n.jpg?oh=013fd6c47e612e33e6736415002e47c6&oe=5636B71A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11887834_10152605861117168_2752147552845787198_n.jpg?oh=013fd6c47e612e33e6736415002e47c6&oe=5636B71A" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Very Frozen. The white on top of the teal works very well, and the teal is beautiful. The sparkle symbol thing though is a bit too big and overpowering, I'd prefer it either smaller or thinner. 7/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Deanne Soza - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11880547_10152602642907168_8293332495459314594_n.jpg?oh=a8285b039b30f98e9b75b4c58e0d3c3d&oe=56376844" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11880547_10152602642907168_8293332495459314594_n.jpg?oh=a8285b039b30f98e9b75b4c58e0d3c3d&oe=56376844" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
Always with the surprises, this one. It's not a colour combination I'm especially fond of, but it's fairly pleasant. I really like the body of it. Overall, it has a nice athletic look but it's a bit dull and I'd like to see her break free of her gym colours, even just once. 5.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10387389_10152605823397168_2858403687901838850_n.jpg?oh=59ce10cb3df63bf10872a2be14649461&oe=5638E0DB" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10387389_10152605823397168_2858403687901838850_n.jpg?oh=59ce10cb3df63bf10872a2be14649461&oe=5638E0DB" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The front is so pretty. Look, a swirl that works! It could have been my favourite of hers but the shoulder had to go and have a weird dark bit that wasn't needed. 7/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Trinity Thomas - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11058627_10152602643187168_1612274631693929980_n.jpg?oh=caa7a9764fa12ab2df05aa5e974c5e1c&oe=5641F798" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11058627_10152602643187168_1612274631693929980_n.jpg?oh=caa7a9764fa12ab2df05aa5e974c5e1c&oe=5641F798" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
I love the 'midnight!' feel of this. The way the two colours meet on the sleeves is a little odd though. 7/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11218785_10152605860847168_1598993381199588336_n.jpg?oh=89dcda1d998fc9d0816bb52f851fb7b5&oe=563B9F5F" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11218785_10152605860847168_1598993381199588336_n.jpg?oh=89dcda1d998fc9d0816bb52f851fb7b5&oe=563B9F5F" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
A bit too sheeny-shiny for me and I didn't like the swirls. A bit boring. Too similar to her day 1 leo too. 5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Twin City Twisters junior - Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11855701_10152605822122168_4406228077776932671_n.jpg?oh=f7fb0eff9b7be2f0b3874331d5b3bcee&oe=56750FD5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11855701_10152605822122168_4406228077776932671_n.jpg?oh=f7fb0eff9b7be2f0b3874331d5b3bcee&oe=56750FD5" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm glad they weren't wearing <b>Maggie</b>'s day 2 leo but I'm a little tired of TCT always churning out this style. It's a beautiful colour, looks good on white, and I like the band of sparkles..but, surprise me. 6/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>CGA - Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11258321_10152605822252168_8101648543468037037_n.jpg?oh=85fe5635213d6342bf068e070b17d8d7&oe=567880D0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11258321_10152605822252168_8101648543468037037_n.jpg?oh=85fe5635213d6342bf068e070b17d8d7&oe=567880D0" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Nice and athletic, with complementary colours. Nothing special though. 6.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gabby Perea - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11888090_10152602643552168_1595330611656812187_n.jpg?oh=33333b773d4e95302866788896d344ac&oe=5641ED40" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11888090_10152602643552168_1595330611656812187_n.jpg?oh=33333b773d4e95302866788896d344ac&oe=5641ED40" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Nice in theory. The teal at the neck is a bit too 'sudden' though, and the swirls aren't great. Overall it is pretty. 6.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11846797_10152605822642168_6768945967789489934_n.jpg?oh=909d6c992b2278b96eb60eb04f36a165&oe=56768E3E" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11846797_10152605822642168_6768945967789489934_n.jpg?oh=909d6c992b2278b96eb60eb04f36a165&oe=56768E3E" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Nah, not digging the flames. Again like <b>Trinity</b>, if you're going to bring 2 leotards it's a bit boring when they're so similar. 5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Maile O'Keefe - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11825631_10152602643087168_7098700133715379085_n.jpg?oh=636a5d0cf690129b8749e8996253758c&oe=564649AC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11825631_10152602643087168_7098700133715379085_n.jpg?oh=636a5d0cf690129b8749e8996253758c&oe=564649AC" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
This is my least favourite of all. The shade of pink I least like, overly shiny...and random things on the front that add nothing. A flashback to early last quad in a non-good way. 1/10<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11247610_10152605823702168_8522412701228401665_n.jpg?oh=e168417887bfb9e4e93978c0af986289&oe=56774101" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11247610_10152605823702168_8522412701228401665_n.jpg?oh=e168417887bfb9e4e93978c0af986289&oe=56774101" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Most improved to day 2! The colour is absolutely stunning and goes nicely against white. Not too many sparkles, just enough. Saved from boringness by the colour and material of the blue. 8/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Jordan Chiles - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11888131_10152602643652168_7290401703183016364_n.jpg?oh=a95fb0025b44861575955acb833ae559&oe=567CBE0F" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11888131_10152602643652168_7290401703183016364_n.jpg?oh=a95fb0025b44861575955acb833ae559&oe=567CBE0F" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
What an improvement different colours make to this leo. The purple makes a great contrast to the black, and the vine-like pattern at the top is so striking. 7.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11873726_10152605861362168_1456684197666838414_n.jpg?oh=79dbd1cdd8af74397dcedc7f6ccf9641&oe=566E871F" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11873726_10152605861362168_1456684197666838414_n.jpg?oh=79dbd1cdd8af74397dcedc7f6ccf9641&oe=566E871F" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Very athletic. Great use of patriotic colours, the accents break it up nicely. Another great leo for team finals. 7/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sydney Johnson-Scharpf - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11866328_10152602643727168_4035532372187297851_n.jpg?oh=b4817d4f4fe4f71386cd693c9722294d&oe=5676E90E" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11866328_10152602643727168_4035532372187297851_n.jpg?oh=b4817d4f4fe4f71386cd693c9722294d&oe=5676E90E" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
Yet another shy and retiring choice from this wallflower. On paper, it is awful. Garish, ugly twisty bit, cheap looking. She definitely gives it some bonus points by managing to pull it off. The louder the better for her. 4/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/l/t1.0-9/11887891_10152605861102168_6199318921324802907_n.jpg?oh=3764441a3b2fba31c734e346b56feb7d&oe=567B2518" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/l/t1.0-9/11887891_10152605861102168_6199318921324802907_n.jpg?oh=3764441a3b2fba31c734e346b56feb7d&oe=567B2518" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Never let it be said she doesn't stand out from the crowd. I've voiced my opinion on the mesh hole already, although this seems less transparent. The spray is better in black. The colours although yet again she works it well are nowhere near as attractive as the pink and purple version. 5.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Emily Gaskins - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11873356_10152602643832168_8346209487918136865_n.jpg?oh=eca009cb4c9809b3ff1bc5dcd9f04e78&oe=5636BA67" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11873356_10152602643832168_8346209487918136865_n.jpg?oh=eca009cb4c9809b3ff1bc5dcd9f04e78&oe=5636BA67" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This could have been fine, although I am tired of same old same old from GK but then this awful slime green accident happened on the side and stole several points from it. It's hideous. 3/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11903730_10152605822772168_738701477752923269_n.jpg?oh=8dca954677e390a45e9b3f17e5eb7db2&oe=56769ED9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11903730_10152605822772168_738701477752923269_n.jpg?oh=8dca954677e390a45e9b3f17e5eb7db2&oe=56769ED9" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a weird one and I'm not sure what to make of it. The way the raspberry body sits on it and is split along the sides is unusual. I would have liked more definition, an obvious border. The black neck, side and sleeves are nice with the evenly spaced sparkles- very night sky-but I'm not convinced the two work together. 6/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Parkettes - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11846675_10152602644117168_1686020592200349901_n.jpg?oh=413258a3aecc440d915ba27d3e871d61&oe=5677305E" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11846675_10152602644117168_1686020592200349901_n.jpg?oh=413258a3aecc440d915ba27d3e871d61&oe=5677305E" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I, a massive purple fan, am bored by this. It's inoffensive but doesn't have enough going on. I'm not sold. 5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11902508_10152605823392168_8430514911475758765_n.jpg?oh=c794856a578e21e987786c7169cd65e4&oe=563FE778" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11902508_10152605823392168_8430514911475758765_n.jpg?oh=c794856a578e21e987786c7169cd65e4&oe=563FE778" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
Nicer shade shown here, super pretty. The sleeve ombre is great too. It's still dull though, ain't nothing going to work wonders with that. 6.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Elena Arenas - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/11855728_10152602644027168_2772816948735907033_n.jpg?oh=be40de5bbcf6458e27de94f61bab7922&oe=563863F6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/11855728_10152602644027168_2772816948735907033_n.jpg?oh=be40de5bbcf6458e27de94f61bab7922&oe=563863F6" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Quite a pretty colour, and not one we see very often. The sparkle pattern is just gorgeous. Overall though it looks a bit lacking, like it was unfinished as a concept. Maybe it just needed something else to draw the eye...cuffs or colour detail perhaps. 6/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11899814_10152605823247168_3123310522836695481_n.jpg?oh=fc8b7102892bd917e252d6e9852345e6&oe=5670BC9E" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11899814_10152605823247168_3123310522836695481_n.jpg?oh=fc8b7102892bd917e252d6e9852345e6&oe=5670BC9E" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Hmm, spooky orange and black! Sleeves are pretty. I don't think the orange shade, especially so metallic, does anything for her. And I hate this type of Gk swirl so that's a no too. 2.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Margzetta Frasier - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11870826_10152602643102168_3424612840031032844_n.jpg?oh=9e00c08385a67acbaa3e5cc00423596f&oe=56779B53" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11870826_10152602643102168_3424612840031032844_n.jpg?oh=9e00c08385a67acbaa3e5cc00423596f&oe=56779B53" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
This is what you call a well balanced leotard, it has everything. Love the detail at the top of the bodice, and the cuffs. It's not the worst pink shade, but it's a bit barbie. Dark purple or blue would have been better. 7/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11855887_10152605860757168_2297983308042643009_n.jpg?oh=cade033f10d5e6ede8e1ba3b4fe47e5f&oe=56837914" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11855887_10152605860757168_2297983308042643009_n.jpg?oh=cade033f10d5e6ede8e1ba3b4fe47e5f&oe=56837914" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
Really not a fan of these pinky/orange tones and she looks like she's being strangled. The silver and the black don't even go with the weird pink. 3/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Buckeye juniors - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11752544_10152569951907168_4837089864233710933_n.jpg?oh=51dc31891f7f6e9b43cc8e251a448deb&oe=567EACA4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11752544_10152569951907168_4837089864233710933_n.jpg?oh=51dc31891f7f6e9b43cc8e251a448deb&oe=567EACA4" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
This was so much better in videos. Love the ombre, sleeves and this accent really makes it. I'm a black mesh fan, the back of it with the design is beautiful too and the flash of color at the neck...fabulous. 8.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11248879_10152605821902168_5793467932590307548_n.jpg?oh=a5d110fc4103baa98c9f3b432fc41668&oe=56743F26" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11248879_10152605821902168_5793467932590307548_n.jpg?oh=a5d110fc4103baa98c9f3b432fc41668&oe=56743F26" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here though, is how it can go wrong. The ombre is still good, better even but it's way, way too low in the front and the flamey bit is weird. Ruined by the plunge. 4/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Morgan Hurd - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11745509_10152569955942168_3207246644450905370_n.jpg?oh=7aaa252c3c19cdf5a085a84b711a0a5d&oe=567982CD" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11745509_10152569955942168_3207246644450905370_n.jpg?oh=7aaa252c3c19cdf5a085a84b711a0a5d&oe=567982CD" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm not a fan of this shade of blue, and less so in mesh form. Again the design is fine but a little uninspiring. 5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11846584_10152605821792168_8279725456060095412_n.jpg?oh=421eb92c32ffa2fa0593b7528dc9e361&oe=567FE2E5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11846584_10152605821792168_8279725456060095412_n.jpg?oh=421eb92c32ffa2fa0593b7528dc9e361&oe=567FE2E5" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
Pink overkill, not a fan of that mesh shade at all. I'd like to see this in a different colour. The front is too low although it's not the kind of mesh where that would matter. 2/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>TIGAR - Day 1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11892222_10152602643547168_3344347325321118831_n.jpg?oh=0c869b2b0f8fcbd743813d93f30de617&oe=56704DE3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11892222_10152602643547168_3344347325321118831_n.jpg?oh=0c869b2b0f8fcbd743813d93f30de617&oe=56704DE3" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
This reminds me of a strawberry sundae. Another generic GK leo with nothing to really get behind. 4.5/10<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>TIGAR - Day 2</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11898616_10152605822562168_6651321657366478338_n.jpg?oh=0440fea5b0e6ef933a1e7f54756edd53&oe=56710535" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11898616_10152605822562168_6651321657366478338_n.jpg?oh=0440fea5b0e6ef933a1e7f54756edd53&oe=56710535" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
I love this bodice shape. The sparkles and accents are perfectly proportioned. I like the sleeve colour. Not sure how the two shades really go together, it would have been better if the bodice shade was a lighter shade of the sleeves, rather than brighter. 6/10<br />
<br />
All photos copyright John Cheng/USAG.<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, that took forever. This is obviously taste based and I'm no panel, and I won't be repeating this any time soon! Maybe once a year. What were your picks? Do you have exactly the opposite opinion to any of these? Who is the most ombre of them all? If I missed one after all that, it's kinder to not let me know perhaps..<br />
<br />
<br />Beautiful Gymnasticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00935698970163328051noreply@blogger.com7