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Despite mistakes, Romania pips US, Russia in qualifying
Anaheim, California, Aug 19: A below-par Romania overcame a series of mistakes to take the overall lead in the qualifying round for the world gymnastics championships, ahead of the US and Russia.
Anaheim, California, Aug 19: A below-par Romania overcame a series of mistakes to take the overall lead in the qualifying round for the world gymnastics championships, ahead of the US and Russia.
After the completion of five out of eight sub-divisions yesterday, Romania led on 148.120 points despite a series of mistakes on the asymmetric bars. The US also made several major errors when they competed on Sunday, but still managed to hold down second spot on 147.697 points.
Russia stand in third position on 145.572, followed by Spain (145.409), Brazil (143.946) and France (142.835). The top eight teams qualify for Wednesday's team final in an event that also serves as an Olympic qualifier. The top 12 men's and women's teams earn team berths for next year's games in Athens.
Romania got off to the worst possible start with two gymnasts falling and a third making a major error on the asymmetric bars. But the team battled back with a strong performance on vault to creep back into contention.
''We don't have enough experience and need another year before we will be ready,'' Romania head coach Octavian Belu said of his young squad.
''Today was only a rehearsal. The real competition starts the day after tomorrow (with team finals).''
Russia were also guilty of an uncharacteristically bad performance in the preliminary round, after getting off to a very strong start on vault.
However, the uneven bars proved to be a major disappointment with only Svetlana Khorkina (9.45) managing a score above nine.
The team also struggled on the beam and floor exercise and were fortunate to finish the day in third place.
Spain's head coach Jesus Carballo said he was pleased with his team's performance. He singled out Elena Gomez for particular praise after she posted good scores in all four disciplines, collecting marks of 9.25 or higher.
Gomez leads all-around individual qualifying with a score of 37.549 points, ahead of Chellsie Memmel of the US on 37.449 and Russia's Khorkina on 37.249.
Bureau Report
After the completion of five out of eight sub-divisions yesterday, Romania led on 148.120 points despite a series of mistakes on the asymmetric bars. The US also made several major errors when they competed on Sunday, but still managed to hold down second spot on 147.697 points.
Russia stand in third position on 145.572, followed by Spain (145.409), Brazil (143.946) and France (142.835). The top eight teams qualify for Wednesday's team final in an event that also serves as an Olympic qualifier. The top 12 men's and women's teams earn team berths for next year's games in Athens.
Romania got off to the worst possible start with two gymnasts falling and a third making a major error on the asymmetric bars. But the team battled back with a strong performance on vault to creep back into contention.
''We don't have enough experience and need another year before we will be ready,'' Romania head coach Octavian Belu said of his young squad.
''Today was only a rehearsal. The real competition starts the day after tomorrow (with team finals).''
Russia were also guilty of an uncharacteristically bad performance in the preliminary round, after getting off to a very strong start on vault.
However, the uneven bars proved to be a major disappointment with only Svetlana Khorkina (9.45) managing a score above nine.
The team also struggled on the beam and floor exercise and were fortunate to finish the day in third place.
Spain's head coach Jesus Carballo said he was pleased with his team's performance. He singled out Elena Gomez for particular praise after she posted good scores in all four disciplines, collecting marks of 9.25 or higher.
Gomez leads all-around individual qualifying with a score of 37.549 points, ahead of Chellsie Memmel of the US on 37.449 and Russia's Khorkina on 37.249.
Bureau Report