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Dementieva grasps her moment in Berlin/poor Aliya injured

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Ouch.  No doubt by now you all know that poor Aliya Mustafina suffered a torn meniscus on landing her first vault of the all around competition.  So now my heart hurts almost as much as my hand, and my thoughts are with Aliya, her team mates and her coaches, who must be going through an agony of pain and uncertainty, physical and otherwise, at present.

I am however delighted at the victory of that most Russian of gymnasts, Anna Dementieva.  Anna is a delightful, strong gymnast; all light, airy amplitude, impressive technique and deceptively steely mentality.  The Russians deserved a little good luck after the bad luck of their prime competitor here, but I don't think this was that lucky a win - Anna was clearly the class act of the field, well ahead of the rest even if this fact is disguised by the somewhat distorted scores of Elizabeth Seitz who experienced a significant 'home advantage'.

I cannot say that Dementieva reminds me of any particular gymnast from the past as she is so distinctively herself.  She only needs a stronger vault to place herself in medal contention at worlds level.  Dementieva is not a lead-off gymnast or a reserve - although she would be more than well qualified to undertake that role for an ultra-strong Russian Olympic team - she is a sleeping giant who has grasped her moment - watch her go from strength to strength,

I wish the gymnasts, including my favourite Tanya Nabieva, the greatest good luck as they progress to apparatus finals this weekend - just do it for the Queen, girls. xx

And as I'm still indisposed and can't write half as much as I'd like, please visit the Russian Federation's website for some cracking photos of qualifications.  Here's the link  http://www.sportgymrus.ru/
Gymnastics is a sport in which friendship rules - stay close, girls.
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