The preliminary rounds of competition are over, and as expected, there was plenty of drama! Right off the bat, all eyes were on Kohei Uchimura (JPN), who definitely had an off day falling on high bar and pommel horse. I have confidence that he can pull himself together for Team Finals and the All Around. He is a star who knows how to handle the pressure, and despite the errors, there were flashes of his usual brilliance. Unfortunately, some of his teammates seemed to struggle as well, but they ended on a good note with several fantastic parallel bar routines. It’ll be interesting to see how things pan out in Team Finals.

The Tanaka parents must be so proud! Kazuhito, Rie and Yusuke represent 30% of the Japanese gymnasts on the floor in London, and Yusuke and Kazuhito will be battling it out for the gold medal on parallel bars (the qualified in first and second place)! Rie is one to watch as well, having won the Longines Prize for Elegance at the 2010 World Championships. I really enjoyed her Pink Panther floor routine in prelims!

It’s always exciting when the TV broadcast pans to lesser known gymnasts. Shek Wai Hung (HKG), a vault finalist at last year’s Worlds, sat down his double front and I felt so sad seeing the disappointment on his face. 2011 World bronze medalist Phan Thi Ha (VIE) ended up 12th on vault after a fall and a stumble. Some of the worst moments of preliminaries were when Sherine el-Zeiny (EGY) hurt her leg during a double tuck on floor and had to be carried away by her coach and when Yao Jinnan (CHN) collapsed in pain after aggravating a leg injury on vault. Other heartbreaking moments include learning of the disqualification of Luiza Galiulina (UZB) who tested positive for furosemide (I’m sure Daria Elizarova would have loved to represent Uzbekistan in London!), the exclusion of Jordyn Wieber (USA) from the All Around final, and Kieran Behan (IRE) not competing to the best of his ability:

I’ve got to hand it to the Romanian women. Just last year it appeared their team was fizzling away having won no medals at the Worlds for the first time in 3 decades. Then Ana Porgras retired unexpectedly in January and it seemed as though they might not be able to field adequate lineups for the Olympics. I am so impressed with the improvements they have made in a short amount of time, and with the fact that their team includes the past two Olympic Floor Champions: Catalina Ponor in 2004 and Sandra Izbasa in 2008. Despite having several uncharacteristic errors in prelims, they showed they are back and will once again be in the medal hunt come Team Finals.

Oksana Chusovitina (GER) and Jordan Jovtchev (BUL) should receive some sort of special medal for longevity! At ages 37 and 39, they are both competing in their SIXTH Olympic Games! And not just participating, but competing in the vault and rings apparatus finals!

Canada just managed to squeak into Team Finals in 8th place, an accomplishment made even more impressive after losing Peng Peng Lee to injury. Brittany Rogers and Elsabeth Black also qualified to vault finals, and Dominique Pegg will compete in the All Around. Unfortunately, the top two gymnasts will not be moving on past Team Finals. Kristina Vaculik did not qualify to the All Around after falling twice on beam, and Victoria Moors just missed Floor finals despite nailing her fantastic double-double mount. This has got to be one of the best teams Canada has ever fielded, and it was sweet of the girls to wear white flowers in their hair in tribute to Honorary Captain Peng Peng.

I have very much enjoyed the television commentary by Canadian Kyle Shewfelt. He is enthusiastic, positive, knowledgeable, and is always kind toward all gymnasts while remaining realistic about their chances. It’s refreshing to hear, and he makes it even more fun to watch gymnastics!

Photo courtesy of  Anirudh Koul.

On the eve of the 2012 Olympic Games with all the excitement of competition looming ahead, I can’t help but think of all the gymnasts around the world who fell short of achieving their goal of competing in London. Some just didn’t quite manage to qualify, some were left out due to politics, but many are at home nursing ill-timed injuries. France was by far the most unlucky country, taking a huge hit by losing so many of its top gymnasts. Here are some of the athletes who will be missed when preliminaries start this weekend in the North Greenwich Arena:

Samir Aït Saïd (FRA) hurt his right knee at the 2012 European Championships in Montpellier.

Thomas Bouhail (FRA) fractured his tibia and fibula in a fall from high bar, an injury which quickly led to necrosis of his leg tissue. Thank goodness his leg was saved.

Marine Brevet (FRA) dislocated her elbow while tumbling on floor.

Benoît Caranobe (FRA) suffered an ankle injury hampered his training in the lead-up to these Olympic Games.

Cheng Fei (CHN) ruptured her Achilles tendon after making a successful comeback.

Talia Chiarelli (CAN) withdrew from contention for the Olympic team with a sore back.

Nikki Chung (AUS) was unable to move forward to the Olympic Selection Camp due to an ankle and knee injury.

Julie Croket (BEL) tore her left ACL in the run-up to the Olympic Games.

Clara Della Vedova (FRA) helped her team qualify to the Games, only to hurt her Achilles tendon three months before the main event.

Anton Fokin (UZB) tore a ligament in his left knee during the London Test Event and was unable to secure a berth to the Games.

Adrian Gomes (BRA) hurt her back while in London and had to withdraw from competition.

Shawn Johnson (USA) ended her bid to participate in a second Olympic Games when it became evident that her knee would not heal in time.

Daniel Keatings (GBR), one of his country’s best gymnasts ever, must be devastated by his ill-timed ankle injury earlier this year.

Peng Peng Lee (CAN) tore her ACL on vault at the National Championships. Peng Peng could have helped Canada to one of its highest finishes ever, with a possibility of making beam and floor finals as well. If only the world could see this fantastic floor routine.

Mariya Livchikova (UKR) injured her knee on the eve of the 2011 World Championships, and as a result was unable to compete in the Test Event to earn a spot to London.

Zoe Lorenzin (AUS) was unable to move forward to the Olympic Selection Camp due to a stress fracture in her foot.

Tatiana Nabieva (RUS) managed to rise to Olympic contention, only to injure her knee before team selection.

Marine Petit (FRA) suffered a painful knee problem that kept her from trying for the Games.

Danny Rodrigues (FRA), a star on rings, hurt his biceps a month before he was to compete in the Games.

Valentine Sabatou (FRA) was to replace Marine Brevet, until she herself required a cast for her ankle.

Anastasia Sidorova (RUS) was unable to make a final push for London with her recurring back problem.

Georgia Simpson (AUS) had a severe ankle injury in the spring that prevented her from making a serious run for the Olympics.

Bridget Sloan (USA) injured her elbow on uneven bars just as she was about to embark on Night 1 of the Olympic Trials.

Lais Souza (BRA) hurt her hand while training on bars.

Eugen Spiridonov (GER) had to give up his chance for selection after injuring his shoulder.

Teng Haibin (CHN) tore muscles in his forearm just days before prelims were to begin. It’s a shame, since he was surely hoping to redeem himself after a disappointing outing in 2004.

Jeffrey Wammes (NED) gave up his fight to challenge Epke Zonderland for the lone Dutch spot after hurting his knee on floor exercise.

There are many gymnasts in London who will tough it out with less severe injuries. Larisa Iordache (ROM) has a case of plantar fasciitis that may prevent her from competing all events, McKayla Maroney (USA) has a broken big toe, Beth Tweddle (GBR) is still recovering from knee surgery, Yao Jinnan (CHN) has a torn leg muscle, and alternate Anna Li (USA) hurt herself after a fall from uneven bars and was spotted wearing a neck brace.

Let us also remember the North Korean contingent who will not display their talents in London after being banned for fudging ages. It’s such as shame, as many of the gymnasts could have been in contention for various apparatus medals.

Ri Se Gwang, Vault, 2008 World Cup Maribor

Jade Barbosa (BRA) didn’t sign the contract agreeing to wear the leotards with the logos of sponsors and is therefore ineligible for the Olympic Games. Jordan Rae (NZL), on the other hand, met the criteria for inclusion in the Olympic Games but she was not confirmed for participation by her country’s Olympic Committee (similar to the situation Veronica Wagner of Sweden found herself in 4 years ago).

Preliminary rounds of competition start tomorrow. I wish all the gymnasts of these Olympic Games a happy, healthy and fair competition…with no more injuries!!!

Thirteen years too late, but the Ukrainian team finally has a world team medal! Earlier this year, the gymnasts were handed the team bronze medal from the 1999 World Championships after China was disqualified for falsifying the age of Dong Fangxiao. This is hardly the first case of altering a gymnast’s birth year, but it became high-profile when Dong appeared at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with credentials stating her 1986 birthdate, despite being listed as 16 years old at the 1999 Worlds.

China’s demise was Ukraine’s bounty, as they picked up the well-deserved bronze at a ceremony in Kiev. Ukraine had only lost the bronze medal to China by 0.085, and China had experienced hometown advantage by hosting the meet in Tianjin. A belated congratulations to Viktoria Karpenko, Olga Roschupkina, Inga Shkarupa, Olga Teslenko, Tatiana Yarosh, Natalia Gorodny and alternate Galina Tyryk. This team exhibited such style, and this medal comes at a time when the Ukrainian program is but a shadow of its former self. I hope this medal will serve as motivation for the current crop of gymnasts who, apart from Maria Livchikova, struggle to show the same flair they once had.

1999 World Championships Bronze Medalists

Viktoria Karpenko, All Around, Vault 2

Olga Roschupkina, All Around, Beam

Inga Shkarupa, Team Finals, Floor

Olga Teslenko, 1996 Olympic Games, Apparatus Finals, Beam

Tatiana Yarosh, 2000 Olympic Games, Team Finals, Floor

Natalia Gorodny, Team Finals, Beam

Galina Tyryk, 1999 Massilia Cup, Uneven Bars

Let’s hope these gymnasts enjoy the success and rewards that come with a World medal, but the reality is that their federation most likely missed out on funding that could have enriched the program and created more future champions. Moreover, the gymnasts themselves might have missed out on monetary prizes or rewards such as apartments and cars. Cheating hurts everyone.

The men’s finals showcased the specialists on each apparatus, and indeed none of the winners even participated in the all-around final. The results didn’t change much from the qualification round to the finals; vault champion Thomas Bouhail of France was the only one who did not enter the final as the leader.

Eleftherios Kosmidis stuck both his opening layout double-double and his full-in dismount on his way to the top of the podium. He managed to stave off recently crowned all-around champion Kohei Uchimura, who suffered from low landings in this final. Greek fans will find this win reminiscent of Ioannis Melissanidis’s winning performance at the 1996 Olympic Games.

1. Eleftherios Kosmidis (GRE) 15.700, 2. Kohei Uchimura (JPN) 15.533, 3. Daniel Purvis (GBR) 15.366

Eleftherios Kosmidis (GRE), Floor Exercise Gold, 2010 World Championships

Krisztian Berki took advantage of the absence of Chinese superstars Xiao Qin and Zhang Hongtao to claim his first World title on his specialty. His routine starts off right with some scissors that demonstrate tremendous amplitude, accentuated by his long lines.

1. Krisztian Berki (HUN) 15.833, 2. Louis Smith (GBR) 15.733, 3. Prashanth Sellathurai (AUS) 15.566

Krisztian Berki (HUN), Pommel Horse Gold, 2010 World Championships

Chen Yibing’s medal collection just keeps growing! The 2008 Olympic Champ on rings claimed his third World title in Rotterdam. His lines, toepoint and flaired full-twisting double layout sealed the deal for this veteran.

1. Chen Yibing (CHN) 15.900, 2. Yan Mingyong (CHN) 15.700, 3. Matteo Morandi (ITA) 15.666

Chen Yibing (CHN), Rings Gold, 2010 World Championships (routine from Team Finals)

Thomas Bouhail managed to upstage prelims leader Anton Golotsutskov (RUS) when it mattered most, and ended up with his first title at a World Championships. The Frenchman was no stranger to the international scene, having won the silver medal on the same apparatus at the 2008 Olympic Games and the gold medal at last year’s European Championships. He landed his opening piked double Tsukahara with just a hop, and came close to sticking his Dragulescu.

1. Thomas Bouhail (FRA) 16.499, 2. Anton Golotsutskov (RUS) 16.366, 3. Dzmitry Kaspiarovich (BLR) 16.316

Thomas Bouhail (FRA), Vault Gold, 2010 World Championships

Feng Zhe performed his three double backs and high straddled front well, but it was the solid double pike dismount and his 7.0 D-score that really earned him the gold in what turned out to be one of the most competitive finals of the Championships.

1. Feng Zhe (CHN) 15.966, 2. Teng Haibin (CHN) 15.616, 3. Kohei Uchimura (JPN) 15. 500

Feng Zhe (CHN), Parallel Bars Gold, 2010 World Championships (V and PB from Qualifications)

Zhang Chenglong flew high above the bar with his layout Tkatchev, straddled Tkatchev-half, layout Jaeger, Yamawaki and layout double-double dismount. The releases, in addition to his pirouetting skills, allowed Zhang to grab the gold over Epke Zonderland, who retained his silver medal position from last year’s Worlds. Zonderland displayed a difficult set with a Kovacs-Kolman combination, a Gaylord 2 and a Yamawaki and a nice stuck layout double double.

1. Zhang Chenglong (CHN) 16.166, 2. Epke Zonderland (NED) 16.033, 3. Fabian Hambüchen (GER) 15.966

Zhang Chenglong (CHN), High Bar Gold, 2010 World Championships (routine from 2010 Nationals)

Four different gymnasts were awarded the gold medals during the women’s apparatus finals of the 2010 World Championships, held in Rotterdam last month. All-around queen Aliya Mustafina didn’t win any gold medals in finals, but she did come away from these World Championships with five medals in all and bragging rights as the only Russian lady to claim a medal after their shared team gold.

Alicia Sacramone won her first vault title, bringing her total number of World medals to nine. Nine medals is the record for most won by an American, and Sacramone’s gold puts her in a tie for first with Shannon Miller and Nastia Liukin. She demonstrated explosive power and good form on her layout Rudi and Yurchenko double full, and her 15.200 average put her ahead of all-around champion Aliya Mustafina, who experienced some judging controversy in this event final. It seems she wasn’t given credit for the layout position for her Yurchenko half-on layout front full. The Russian Federation rightly complained that it can’t be downgraded to a pike position since the FIG itself acknowledged that it’s impossible to do more than a half twist in a pike, and that this particular vault does not exist in the pike position. The silver medal here ended any hope that Mustafina could sweep all the gold at this World Championships. Missing from this World Championships was vaulter extraordinaire Hong Su Jong, who was embroiled in a controversy of her own after being registered to compete with yet a third different birth year. The North Korean delegation has been banned from competition through to 2013, leaving certain event finals without some serious contenders.

1. Alicia Sacramone (USA) 15.200, 2. Aliya Mustafina (RUS) 15.066, 3. Jade Barbosa (BRA) 14.799

Alicia Sacramone (USA), Vault Gold, 2010 World Championships

Beth Tweddle earned another World title on the uneven bars with her high-flying routine that included a toe-on Tkatchev-half immediate barani to the low bar. It was an amazing day for Great Britain. In addition to Tweddle’s gold, the country also celebrated Louis Smith’s silver on pommel horse and Daniel Purvis’s bronze on the floor exercise. Tweddle held off He Kexin and Huang Qiushuang, both of whom dropped to the mat and out of medal contention.

1. Beth Tweddle (GBR) 15.733, 2. Aliya Mustafina (RUS) 15.600, 3. Rebecca Bross (USA) 15.066

Beth Tweddle (GBR), Uneven Bars Gold, 2010 World Championships

Ana Porgras nailed her delightful beam routine for Romania’s first medal at the Championships, despite the fact that some her most interesting choreography has been removed. Mustafina ruined her chance for six medals with a fall on her standing Arabian. Ukraine’s only female finalist, Yana Demyanchuk, was on track for a great routine (awesome roundoff-full and full turn with leg at horizontal…with a flexed foot!) before stumbling backward on her double pike dismount.

1. Ana Porgras (ROM) 15.366, 2(tie). Rebecca Bross (USA) and Deng Linlin (CHN) 15.233

Ana Porgras (ROU), Balance Beam Gold, 2010 World Championships

What a wonderful way to end the World Championships! Lauren Mitchell improved upon her silver medal at last year’s Worlds to win the gold this time. Using the same music, Mitchell stuck her tumbling passes (Arabian double front to leap, piked full-in, 2.5-twist to front layout to scale, double pike, and of course that really cool triple turn down low). Mustafina showed her lovely routine for the fourth time in Rotterdam, but unfortunately she didn’t go for the triple turn with leg at vertical so it will not be named after her this time. Two favourites, Sandra Izbasa (ROM) and Ksenia Afanasyeva (RUS), both had a disappointing time in Rotterdam. Izbasa lost valuable points after landing out of bounds after her amazing 1.5-twist through to triple twist, and Afanasyeva put her knee down on her opening double layout and both hands down on her closing double pike.

1. Lauren Mitchell (AUS) 14.833, 2(tie). Aliya Mustafina (RUS) and Diana Chelaru (ROU) 14.766

Lauren Mitchell (AUS), Floor Exercise Gold, 2010 World Championships