Day 12: Who's the Most Overrated Gymnast

I don't really think any of them are overrated. If you can make it in elite gymnastics (especially in international competition), you deserve all the recognition you get. However, I do think there are moments when some gymnasts are overhyped, and when they don' live up to the hype, people begin to think maybe they are overrated, when that's not really the case.

For example, people were making Gabby's chances of winning or medaling in the UB event final out to be very high, so her mistake seemed bigger than it actually was. Don't get me wrong, it was a large mistake, but it wouldn't have been as big of a deal if everyone had looked at the other qualifiers before claiming Gabby would medal.

 

Another example would be all those people who were disappointed and upset when Nastia wasn't on the Olympic team this year. Nastia is a great gymnast, and had she had more time to prepare, and really put in the effort in the first couple years after Beijing, I think she might have had a chance. As it was, she was overhyped this time around, leading to a lot of unhappy fans.

 

 



 

Day 11: Most Underrated Gymnast

Probably Kyla Ross or Anastasia Grishina. They're both Olympians too, but nobody knows about them, really. I mean, without Kyla, the US team probably wouldn't have won! And yes, Grishy messed up on both routines she performed in the Team Final, but she was also not trained in the same way as the other Russian gymnasts. She was allowed to live off-site with her mother, and her personal coach basically told Alexandrov that he would take care of it and he knew how to prepare her best. Clearly he didn't, because she's done way better. Oh well. Either way, I love both of them, and I really hope they both stick around at least for 2013 Worlds, if not Rio.

Day 10: Favorite Team to Root For

I have as much USA pride as the rest of us, but to be honest, I really like rooting for Russia. They're not the smiley, friendly, just-happy-to-be-here type, like certain other gymnasts. They are also just fascinating to watch, with their elegant lines and ballet training. And who says they're all divas who don't root for their teammates?

As a side note, if China was a little more consistent, and they could get their act together on vault and floor (consistently), I'd root for them more, too.

Day 9: Who's the Diva?

First of all, I hate how NBC always portrays the Russians as difficult and catty, but the Americans are humble and smiley and amazing. Anyway, a lot of people have said Svetlana on this one, and I think she is deserving of that title:

 

However, I think all gymnasts have their diva moments. McKayla is a very publicized example:

 

 

 

And for the record, here's what Svetlana said about a diva:

 

"A diva is magical; you can't catch her."

-Svetlana Khorkina



Day 8: Which Gymnast Shows the Most Personality?

I'm going to have to go with the entire Russian team on this one. I mean, just look at these pictures:

Day 7: Favorite Vault to Watch

I'm not really into vault. Nothing against McKayla Maroney and Cheng Fei and every other vaulter out there, but it's not really all that exciting to me (except for THIS and THIS)

So my favorite would probably be one of those. But there are other, specific vaults from specific meets that I like:

Aliya Mustafina, Double Twisting Yurchenko (2012 Olympics AA)

and

Deng Linlin, Double Twisting Yurchenko (2008 Olympics TF)

Day 6: Favorite Skill to Watch on Floor

When I said I love watching floor, what I really meant was I love watching the Russians on floor. I love Aly Raisman and American tumbling as much as the next person, but the Russians' elegance and choreography is what makes me love it. Take a look at the dancing and elegant choreography from Aliya Mustafina:



Anyway, for my favorite skill...that's a hard one. Probably Ksenia Afanasyeva's double layout:

Day 5: Favorite Skill to Watch on Bars

Like I mentioned yesterday, bars is my favorite event to watch (especially Aliya Mustafina and He Kexin). Part of it is nostalgia, because Nadia Comaneci received the first perfect 10 in gymnastics history on bars.

For single skills, I've recently become obsessed with the Shushunova:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgoHZfpp06M&feature=related

(Sorry it's so long. After 0:20 it just gives drills for practicing it.)


Also, as far as connecting skills, it would definitey be He Kexin in 2008 (straddled Jaeger 1/2 + straddled Jaeger):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-QIfZUkDBw

(it starts at 0:25, but the whole routine is worth watching).

Day 4: Favorite Skill to Watch on Beam

I'll be honest: beam is not my favorite event to watch (that honor would go to either uneven bars or floor exercise). I don't NOT like it, but it isn't my favorite.

Anyway, as far as single skills go, it would probably be an Onodi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFA4YGSbrlk

(Sorry, I can't find a good picture, and I can't figure out how to add GIFs.)

Also, I absolutely love Viktoria Komova's tumbling pass on beam (back handspring step-out, layout step-out, layout step-out). It's at 0:20.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTzIA1lO1Po

Day 3: Best Leotard You've Seen

I had a hard time with this one. There are so many pretty leotards out there! There's no way I could choose from every one I've ever seen, so I stuck with the ones from this year. Even still, I had to pick two!

This one is from the 2012 European Championships Team Final. From left to right: Aliya Mustafina, Maria Paseka, Viktoria Komova, Anastasia Grishina, Anastasia Sidorova.

This one is from the 2012 Olympics - I think it is from Qualifications.

 

Honorable Mention:



This is from the 2010 World Championships when Aliya won AA gold.



Day 2: Ugliest Leotard You've Seen

Numerous people have pointed this Beijing leotard out, and I'm jumping on the bandwagon. I mean, seriously. Who thought this was a good idea?

Weird color choices + exceptionally shiny material + absolutely atrocious neckline and bodice = THIS

 

 

P.S. Just noticed the wrists. What were these people thinking?

Day 1: Favorite Gymnast

Definitely 'The Queen' on this one.

Maybe it's her strong comeback after an injury that takes many athletes years to recover from, or her 'I'm going to beat you, deal with it' attitude. But probably it's because she's just so amazing. Her routines are absolutely beautiful to watch - very balletic and graceful, but at the same time filled with attitude and strength.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Aliya Mustafina!