Brits Have Record Breaking Qualification Round 23rd November 2005

History is being re-written at the Melbourne Worlds for many countries! Great Britain are having a roller coaster of a ride - with the team achieving five event finals in the women‘s competition. Something which has never been done before for this nation, it certainly reaffirms the impact they are having on the international gymnastics scene.

Beth Tweddle showed she is not just a bars specialist, as she qualified in fourth position (36.937) behind firm favourite for the all around title Nastia Liukin (37.424) and fellow American Chellsie Memmel (37.412). Tweddle, ranked number one in the world on bars qualified for this piece in the finals as well as floor which she medalled on in the recent World Cup event.

Cheng Fei executed her new vault successfully and placed first place in qualifications on this piece (9.631). Imogen Cairns also achieved a finals position for the British with a score on vault of 9.081, qualifying in eight position. Shavahn Church performed well with her only major error being a fall on beam and has qualified for the all around in 24th place. She is also first reserve for the vault final.

Congratulations to the Japanese who have improved enormously, Kyoko Oshima qualified in 10th place for the all around. Aussie newcomer Olivia Vivian rose superbly to the pressure of a home crowd and received a great 9.312 for her bars routine. This is valuable experience for Vivian, especially with the Commonwealth Games looming. Her increased popularity and rising stardom was evident with the long queues of intent autograph hunters who surrounded Vivian while she sat in the stands to watch the next qualifying session.

17 year old Monette Russo certainly didn’t feel the pressure and has qualified in a magnificent third place for the all around and has also qualified for the beam and bars finals. Russo’s achievements make history for Australian gymnastics, with her being the first gymnast ever to qualify for more than one event final and also to have been the highest ever Australian in qualification, placing third all around!

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