Australian Men Feeling Prepared (17th November, 2005)

A relaxed Philippe Rizzo led the Australian men’s press conference saying that the first stage was to get to the Worlds and now his goal is to do the best he can in qualifications. ‘I am never feeling too confident because in the past if you feel too confident you end up coming into the competition too relaxed and that’s not a good thing. So I am nervous and relaxed at the same time.’

Having lost a bit of weight and stepped up his training Rizzo has tried to get more consistent and better quality performances. When asked about the Socceroos’ World Cup qualification Rizzo commented, ‘Everyone was pretty excited about the result and they were talking at breakfast how everyone expects the Socceroos to be up all night partying’ and added if the team does well and makes the Olympics in Beijing they can stay up and party like them!

Rizzo will compete on parallel bars and high bar. After overcoming a wrist injury, the 2000 Olympian Damian Istria, 23 will compete on vault, high bar and floor. On competing at these championships Istria said ‘If you had asked me at Christmas time 2003 (about competing again) I would have said no. I still wasn’t doing push ups sixth months after injury. To actually be competing again and to go out and compete this weekend is something I actually didn’t think possible for myself. While I was having all the support from my coach and everyone back home, in myself I didn’t believe that I would be able to do it, so to actually be back there now, is just an amazing feeling. I just can’t wait to get out there and compete.’

The three 19 year old debutants representing the host country are Sam Offord, 19; Thomas Pichler, 19 and Prashanth Sellathurai, 19. Pichler commented that the pressure of competing at home was no different - ‘The pressure is always there, like every competition but you have to handle it the way you can and go out and do your best.’

Rizzo has the whole hopes of a nation behind him to take gold on high bar. ‘But, be careful!’ warned the National Coach Vladimir Vatkin. ‘The high bar will be one of the most crowded groups of masters trying to reach the final and to medal. If Philippe performs as strongly as in Ghent, four years ago, he has a chance. Keep an eye on Prashanth’s pommel horse and rings performances and Damian Istria’s high bar. On a good day they could do well, present a big surprise.’

Look for complete coverage of the 2005 World Championships in issue one of Backflip Gymnastics Magazine. Subscribe today!