Russia's Nikolai Kuksenkov today became the first man since the legendary Yuri Korolev (1981, 1983) to defend his World University Games all around gold medal, and the first ever to take back-to-back titles for two different countries. He earned his victory thanks to a uniquely calm but consistent competitive ethos, and solid all around ability. Without scoring the highest mark on any single piece of apparatus, he held a faultless line across all six.
There were other gymnasts whose greater risk and difficulty could have beaten Kuksenkov, but they all withered in the heat of a strong competition, victims to their ambition and risk. Japan's Ryohei Kato, a simply beautiful gymnast whose execution gains him an edge, would have won easily but for a fall from the parallel bars (injury?). The dramatically explosive Oleg Verniaiev of Ukraine had a disappointing showing on pommel horse but otherwise sizzled through the apparatus for his shared bronze medal. His compatriot, Oleg Stepko, was less lucky. He suffered a shattering series of errors on floor from which he could never recover, despite a blistering parallel bars set, ending up out of the medals.
Russia must be pleased with Kuksenkov; you can see that he has already been accepted into the arms of the national team and with results like this, he looks likely to be a lock for an all around slot in September's World Championships. There, the Chinese, Japanese and others including Britain and Germany, will give Russia a run for their money; but Russia's MAG team is beginning to look stronger and more confident than in an age.
Full results are here.
Aliya is training a TTY. I am scared for her. She shouldn't do it. Valentina says she will do it at worlds. I am afraid she will get injured. http://www.sovsport.ru/news/text-item/622976
ReplyDeleteDon't panic! Aliya will only do.what her personal coaches deem appropriate and safe. Valentina is a spokesperson, not a proper coach and she has made lots of these statements.
DeleteA TTY is a long distance away imo. Aliya will only do what she is ready to do.
Have you seen this interview with Aliya, Kaley? It is from the Vk.com gymnastics site (thank you Anna Toropova). Aliya says she is practicing a TTY into a pit, and even an Amanar, though she finds that more frightening - the landing is better in the TTY.
DeleteShe says she doesn't know if she will compete the vault at the World Championships, and that her performance here in Kazan was 'good'. The interview says 'Great?' and she just repeats 'Good'.
She says she will soon recover from this competition - just needs two weeks' hard training after the ten days' recovery (in another interview, Grebyonkin says the team are setting off for Cyprus today or tomorrow).
Интервью Алии:
- Я очень хотела участвовать на Универсиаде, и ничуть не жалею, что приехала в Казань, - сказала Алия Мустафина. – Сегодня был самый тяжёлый день. Особенно – его вторая половина. Очень долго и нудно всё тянулось. Но я очень довольна собой – как выступила на брусьях, и что не упала на бревне. Хотя – я просто сделала своё дело. Ну, а на вольных упражнениях просто не хватило сил.
- Старший тренер сборной России Валентина Родионенко сказала, что на тренировках вы делаете прыжки в три оборота.
- Мы тренируем это, но на мягкой яме. А так мне даже 2,5 оборота страшновато прыгать. Три винта даются проще, но я не знаю, буду их прыгать на чемпионате мира или нет.
- Как в целом оцениваете своё выступление на Универсиаде?
- Хорошее.
- Не отличное?
- Хорошее.
- Сколько вам теперь нужно времени, чтобы восстановиться после такого напряжённого турнира?
- Думаю, недельки две работать будет тяжеловато. Но впереди у нас 10-дневный восстановительный сбор. Его должно хватить.
- На Кубке России программы будут сложнее?
- Пока ещё рано об этом говорить. Посмотрим, как всё пойдёт.
Thank you so much Elizabeth! The interview is very helpful. I don't think Aliya should be doing the TTY or an Amanar. Her form has been deteriorating. I understand that forward landings are harder, but I don't think she could get the TTY all the way around. It would look like a tucked TTY to me. She should stick to her DTY, which isn't even the best. It looked nice in London, but is not good right now. I'm hoping that she doesn't compete it ever.
DeleteValentina exaggerated things too much and was ignorant towards the Americans. She said that the Americans were scared to come to Universiade, but they haven't sent a team since 1997 so it isn't because they are scared. She also said the Americans will try to retaliate by doing the TTY and spy on the Russians. Maroney said she was doing it into pits before London and there was a video of Biles doing it before her interview. She also said that Komova had her amanar back 4 days after saying Vika had everything but vault back. I would just like to see the Russians doing what they are ready for at Worlds and see them do well.
I echo that sentiment Kaley ... Antwerp will be an unknown quantity as far as Russia is concerned and I hope they get through the competition in one piece, looking reasonably sound.
DeleteYes, I hope that Russia gets through the competition in one piece as well. I hope no injuries occur to any of the teams. It would be a great competition if everyone hits and there is no controversy. Antwerp will be a much better competition than most Worlds after an Olympics.
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