Italian Grand Prix - Rina Gioiaverde and Abierto del Mexico

http://gymnicetic.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/

 There are several meets happening these days. Videos from the Italian Grand Prix have thankfully already reach us. The results:

UB
1-Viktoria Komova RUS - 15.700
2-Larisa Iordache ROU - 14.150
3-Giorgia Campana ITA - 13.600
4-Carlotta Ferlito ITA - 13.450
5-Elisabetta Preziosa ITA - 11.100

BB
1-Viktoria Komova RUS - 14.850
2-Catalina Ponor ROU - 14.700
3-Elisabetta Preziosa ITA - 14.300
4-Francesca Deagostini ITA - 14.250
5-Carlotta Ferlito ITA - 13.150

Komova not only took the two female titles up for grabs, but also had the highest score of the whole competition--men or women. And the videos say more: that Komova is getting stronger and more determined. In a previous post I complained that Komova was just not looking like she wanted this. She looked demoralized and not fighting for every tenth, particularly on beam. This competition showed a different Komova, she was stronger physically and mentally, and although she wobbled a little on beam, she kept it together and stayed on top of her difficulty.

This added to Knesia Afanaseyva's first place in the first day at the Abierto del Mexico after getting through beam shows that the Russians are getting their stuff together on this event.

Results after day 1:
1. Ksenia Afanasyeva 28.850
2. Christine (Peng Peng) Lee 27.95
3. Mai Yamagishi 27.35

While the USA women stay home and hide their upgrades and training from the world, the other top gymnasts are out there getting some valuable experience and improving their routines. I have commented on previous posts that I am very much against this USA gymnastics system, and particularly how Martha does not give gymnasts opportunities to participate in international competitions that are not Worlds, Olympics, Pan Ams, and Pacific Rims... thus the American gymnasts rarely getting a space on the sun and it is just really sad.

The Russians and Romanians, as well as the Italiansare putting their gymnasts through as much competition as they can and I really think this will pay up later.

Check out the videos:

More soon!