Aliya competed this weekend in Ukraine - probably our last chance to see her before Euros in just over two weeks' time. I haven't seen full results yet but even with a fall on floor, Aliya won the all around, with Russia taking gold in the team competition ahead of Ukraine and Japan. Competing with her on the Russian team were Anna Dementyeva and Polina Fedyorova. Ukraine's Oleg Vernaev won the men's competition, leading the winning team ahead of Russia and the Netherlands.
Thanks to Alexandra Kuznetsova for videos, and for the pictures in this press report.
Aliya Mustafina floor
Aliya Mustafina uneven bars
Aliya Mustafina beam
Aliya looks to be concentrating on developing new combinations for her beam routine and I guess that her competition goals this year are somewhat longer term than Moscow Europeans which are coming earlier in the year than usual. I'm feeling a replay of 1987 Europeans may be on the cards, with the feisty veteran looking vulnerable here while younger gymnasts take centre stage.
Thanks to Alexandra Kuznetsova for videos, and for the pictures in this press report.
Aliya Mustafina floor
Aliya Mustafina uneven bars
Aliya Mustafina beam
Aliya looks to be concentrating on developing new combinations for her beam routine and I guess that her competition goals this year are somewhat longer term than Moscow Europeans which are coming earlier in the year than usual. I'm feeling a replay of 1987 Europeans may be on the cards, with the feisty veteran looking vulnerable here while younger gymnasts take centre stage.
Where's the arabian? :(
ReplyDeleteI hope Aliya adds the double layout for the worlds and gets rid off of one her twist. Also, I think she is on the Boginskaya stage where she thinks she can choreograph her on routines. That or she doesn't have a choreographer or they don't want to bother with her and that is why they are reusing the falling and rolling part.
ReplyDeleteShe's saving the Arabian for the Euro's, but her balance beam was still fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the videos. She is looking in great shape for the Euros. I just don't want her to push herself more than necessary,
ReplyDeleteThat was a half-assed floor routine. She looked bored as hell while dancing and barely saluted at the end. At least try to look slightly energetic?
ReplyDeleteLove the videos,she is looking stronger than ever like a Mustang!despair her 2011 knee injury?She'll be allright for the Euros GO!!!!!MUSTAFINA#1;)They sould "GIVER GOLD"for being so beautifull!!:)
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for all the news and videos. I check your blog every day and I'm grateful that you spend so much time and effort to keep us up to date.
ReplyDeleteShe doesn't look in great shape for the Euros, but with Alka it's always down to weight. Few pounds less and she'll be unstoppable. Will miss Vika though...
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't she rest for a few months and upgrade vault and floor? Euros are in two weeks. Her choreography has never been so weak!
ReplyDeletetotally agree with you, let's hope she saves the big skills for euros and only performed watered down routines on this meet.
DeleteI want to say that she'll dominate euros but that floor routine looks so weak compared to her routines from london or rotterdam..
ReplyDeleteThat's right she looks like low selfesteem on her floor routine.But I like her fall an roll,Specially her stretch right after following the fall & roll.It looks like she doing the same thing over & over!!!!She should Master the routine by know??? Don't worry sweety we all LUV "U" "GO Aliya" Vika will get well soon! See her at the Euros!!
ReplyDeleteCHino Luv;)