Maria Bondareva again struck gold in Canada on Sunday, winning three golds on bars, beam and floor at the Gymnix International Junior Cup. The fullest results available to date are here and I expect full results to be available on the official competition page soon. Maria's victory in Saturday's all around competition, along with some video, is reported here, and you can find quick hits from both comps at the Gymnastics Examiner.
The only event that Bondareva did not win here (and indeed, did not even qualify to) was vault.
Relative weakness on vault does seem to be a recurring problem with the Russians at present, and although Maria has plenty of time to make improvements I'm wondering how the seniors are doing.
At this rate the Russians will win gold on bars, beam and floor at the Olympics - yet be nowhere on vault. It's unfortunate that the Code favours the least complex and interesting piece so strongly.
The only event that Bondareva did not win here (and indeed, did not even qualify to) was vault.
Relative weakness on vault does seem to be a recurring problem with the Russians at present, and although Maria has plenty of time to make improvements I'm wondering how the seniors are doing.
At this rate the Russians will win gold on bars, beam and floor at the Olympics - yet be nowhere on vault. It's unfortunate that the Code favours the least complex and interesting piece so strongly.
Bondareva is such a little star in the making..it will be interesting to follow her for the next quad! I found it quite remarkable that she outscored the seniors on both bars and beam!
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