EChMontpellier - Preview WAG

Preview for the womens artistic gymnastics qualifications

The 6th European artistic gymnastics championships in Montpellier are the first big competition in Europe in 2015. Due to some injuries, some former European champions are not present in Montpellier. Larisa Iordache (ROU), Aliya Mustafina (RUS) Elisabeth Seitz (GER) and Anastasiya Grishina (RUS) choose not to compete. Their absence promises an open battle for the most of the womens individual titles. 33 federations are present for the competition. Will it be the chance of some young senior gymnasts? Or will an older senior gymnast outpass herself and the rest of the field?

The womens all around medallists from last year in Sofia come in action later this year. From the competitors, Russian champion Afansyeva leads the all around field with the best score so far this season. Her countrymates Daria Spiridonova and Alla Sosnitskaya can come close to her, but only 2 gymnasts per country can enter the final. The actual scores of Eythora Thorsdottir (NED) and Erika Fasana (ITA) came already close the Russians, both scoring more than 57 points. Not forget also some outsiders like first year senior Amy Tinkler (GBR), and experienced Giulia Steingruber (SUI), they are quiet on fire this season. Or why not Romania, always delivering top gymnasts, of which Diana Bulimar performs best at the moment.

With 8 names as contenders for the medals, the qualifications on wednesday 15th and the all around final on friday april 17th promise to be thriving competitions!

Sofia 2014 – all around podium

1. Aliya Mustafina (RUS)
2. Larisa Iordache (ROU)
3. Anastasiya Grishina (RUS)

In the womens individual finals, all champions of Sofia 2014 defend their titles in Montpellier. Giulia Steingruber (SUI) has to fear the vaults from Anna Pavlova (AZE) and old lady (AZE). Lots of female gymnasts have improved their vault difficulty, which points the competition more towards the execution. At uneven bars, Rebecca Downie is the one to beat. Also Joanna Adlerteg (SWE) and Maria Kharenkova (RUS) have difficulty scores in the same range, outstanding the field.  On beam, Kharenkova defends her title, also outscoring the fiel this year so far. Dutch rookie Eythora Thorsdottir is the only other female gymnast scoring over 15,00 points. Last years floor gold was a tied between Larisa Iordache (ROU) and Vanessa Ferrari (ITA). Ferrari is present in Montpellier, but suffered from mononucleosis, she might not be at her best. Countrymate Erika Fasana can defends the country’s floor honour. Most challenging country here is Great Britain, with Claudia Fragapane and Amy Tinkler. And… the former world floor champion Ksenia Afansyeva might always be good for a medal.

Sofia 2014 – Vault podium

1. Giulia Steingruber (SUI)
2. Anna Pavlova (AZE)
3. Larisa Iordache (ROU)

Sofia 2014 - Uneven bars podium

1. Rebecca Downie (GBR)
2. Aliya Mustafina (RUS)
3. Daria Spiridonova (RUS)

Sofia 2014 - Balance beam podium

1. Maria Kharenkova (RUS)
2. Larisa Iordache (ROU)
3. Giulia Steingruber (SUI)

Sofia 2014 - Floor podium

1. Vanessa Ferrari (ITA)
2. Larisa Iordache (ROU)
3. Giulia Steingruber (SUI)