Olympic champion in the 2012 Games in London Aliya Mustafina Russian woman shared her impressions of the team competition at the World Championships Gymnastics in Nanning (China), in which the Russian team won the bronze medal.
"We were frightened of repeating the guys' result of yesterday. We tried to imagine that there were no marks and results, just to finish our job, to complete our performances beautifully. ... Competition is always very exciting and scary. But today I tried to do everything with confidence ... But competing a whole-around for the second time at this World Championships, I can tell you one thing: I'm tired. Well, there is a day to recover.
I was afraid that the team may be frightened, and may waver. So I tried to help them. Dasha Spiridinova and Masha Kharenkova told me that they really like it when I talk to them during the execution of the exercises. If I am asked for help, I certainly like to help.'
Source : http://www.championat.com/other/news-1948575-mustafina-v-komandnykh-sorevnovanijakh-na-chm-staralas-vsjo-delat-uverennee.html
I am so proud of Mustafina; she did a great job for the team. The team as a whole did better than expected. There were some mistakes, but no disaster today!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the Russian women. They fought to the end. Molodyets!!
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting how Russia treats its new seniors compared to how the US treats its new seniors. Russian coaches and gymnasts tend to speak of the new girls as if they are fragile flowers in danger of wilting. In comparison, the US expects steeliness and resilience. Aside from Simone and Kyla, the US team is very inexperienced. However, no one makes any excuses for them due to their youth and inexperience. They are held to the highest standards, just as the veterans are.
I wonder if Russia is doing its (very talented) new seniors any favors by constantly mentioning their inexperience and youth.
The US has much more depth. It's similar to how the Soviet teams were when new seniors started competing. Just by making it on the team, the athletes had already proven their competitive mettle. The strong survived. Russia does not have the depth that the US currently does, so they need to work with the athletes that they have who are capable of performing the level of difficulty necessary for international elite competitions. These athletes may or may not be strong competitors. For the athletes who aren't a natural born competitor like Mustafina (because I don't remember anyone making excuses for her lack of experience her first year as a senior!), they require some nurturing and seasoning. They need to learn to compete as seniors and can't be counted on for results until they have gained that experience and know-how.
DeleteWe have to take in considerations the difference between being too overprotecting and just being maternal. Mustafina is looked as a motherly figure by the younger girls and the veterans have a long connection between them. I some times see them as sisters looking up for each other. The coaches in the other hand I think they don't have much of choice because of what TrishaG said.
DeleteI haven't gotten a chance to see it as yet. However, I am happy they got the bronze medal. The guys of course were disappointing at another major event, they need to work on it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the girls!
Hearing that she is tired when she pretty much has to compete all around 2x more (4 events in AA and 3 events in EF) makes me feel worried.
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