An interview with Valentina Rodionenko from Sovietsky Sport, translated by Lupita :
Valentina Rodionenko announced in an interview with Sovietsky Sport that Viktoria Komova, thanks to the complexity of her routines and the level of her execution, is the favourite of the next Olympics. Read on ...
"The three candidates for gold in the women’s all-around are: Komova, Mustafina and the American, Douglas. Why do I rate Komova over Mustafina? Aliya has grown taller over the last year and doesn’t show the same level of execution she had two years ago in Rotterdam. At the same time, we can expect anything from Mustafina and we can’t count her out.
In the team competition everything will depend on vault in the struggle with the Americans. If our girls can perform a Yurchenko with 2.5 twists, they’ll have the edge over them. Otherwise, the Americans perform the Amanar confidently and they’ll have the edge.Currently, Maria Paseka performs this vault excellently. She was named to the team thanks to her vault. Vika Komova performs it in training. Aliya, who got seriously injured when performing this vault, will perform it in London. Of course, it’s possible not to run risks and perform 2 twists. But we think we have to run the risk, it’s justified”
Many thanks as ever to Lupita, and to M who pointed out this link.
Davai Russia! Bring home the team gold. I am an Aussie cheering for these gymnasts. As many of the fans out there, I have an undeniable tendency to drool for Russian artistry.
ReplyDeleteStart values withstanding, I thought for a second that Iordache had them all. However the confidence instilled by the Russian coaches leads me to believe that Komova will enter the AA with a higher SV in beam and floor than what was seen at the Russian Cup. Her loss at Worlds the year prior proves how invaluable those tenths are. God-forbidding, even with a little more difficulty than the rest of the competitors, we can allow her some wobbles - although I'm not saying this is ideal!
It bugs me that Wieber as AA champ last year is ULTIMATE favourite, despite winning by less than a pin and in such a controversial and contentious competition AND without Komova performing her amanar. American commentators seriously forget this fact every time she is on TV.
In a perfect world I would to see both Komova and Mustafina finish 1-2 at the podium.!
I am not a big fan of Valentina Rodionenko as you know. She needs to stop putting so much pressure on Komova, we all know how Komova deals with pressure.
ReplyDeleteEither way, I do agree with her on Musty, you never know what will happen, you can never rule her out :) I do hope they all are able to do well at Olympics and get gold :)
As I said in another post - I will be so nervous watching Musty do the vault, I will probably close my eyes and mute the sound, lol. I doubt anyone can stop her from trying it. She likes to give her fans nervous breakdowns.
So bring on the valium Elizabeth :)
I agree with M's comment on Valentina Rodionenko. The woman is a loose cannon. I kind of dont get what is she aiming at. Her statements are different from previous each time. I also agree with M on watching the finals, I dont think I'll be able to watch TF and AA, total nervous breakdown. I'll just look at the results then watch the re-play, safer than heart attack :) I am already biting my nails.
ReplyDeleteAlfi
Duh commentators don't talk about other factors in a competition where their countryman won. It's not just Americans, it's all of them. If we could speak Russian the commentators probably go on about of the judges favor the americans blah blah blah
ReplyDeleteCandidates for AA gold are Komova, Mustafina and Douglas? Forget Wieber and Raisman at your peril.
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