2005 Artistic Gymnastics World Championship Melbourne - News

Great Britain’s Imogen Cairns said her podium training went well. It was good yeah, I’m just trying to do my best. I had a little bit of difficulty but nothing I can’t adjust to.’

Greece’s Stefani Bismpikou ‘It is my first time on the Acromat (Uneven) bar equipment. I wasn’t too happy with the training though. It is hard when girls work with grips and others out of grips. We are all different. It would be good if we worked in the same group as those who use the same grip.’

Russia’s Elena Zamolochikova ‘Today went ok. It is Sunday and I am just tired, that’s why I wasn’t sticking all landings today. There is no problems, nothing to worry about - I am just tired at the moment.’

USA star Nastia Luikin was shielded by Marta Karolyi past the media as she finished her podium training.

Bulgarian gymnast Gergana Ivanova was missing from podium training. She left training earlier in the week with a heavily iced knee.

China’s Cheng Fei ‘I put in a lot of effort, even though it is not the competition yet. It went well.’

The Netherland’s Verona Van Der Leur ‘I am not sure how long I can do gymnastics. I want to keep doing it but I have to wait and see.’

Great Britain’s Shavahn Church ‘This is my first competition in 18 months. I have just come back from injury - a knee reconstruction. My hopes are not too high for these championships. This event is still important to me but my hopes are not too high - I just want to get through this ok. Beam is my most important event here.’

Sweden’s Veronica Wagner ‘Everything was stressed. I only had one minute to try the apparatus. I would have liked more time.’

Ireland’s Rachel Forde ‘This competition is just preparation for the Commonwealth Games for me. I am more focussed on the Games at the moment.’

Great Britain’s Rhian Pugh had a nasty fall on her bars dismount. Coach Helen May and Irish coach Tony Byrne rushed over to check on Pugh who was lying still in a crouched position. British team medics attended to Pugh. She was unhurt and walked off a bit fazed by the incident. Pugh sat with her coach and team medics to recover on the sidelines.

Australia’s Allana Slater is practicing her judging. She was spotted sitting in the audience writing out all the judging symbols for each routine. Slater is the Ambassador for the Worlds and is hoping to study medicine at university.

Brazil’s Daiane dos Santos received approving nods of approval from the USA’s Head Coach Marta Karolyi. While warming up to perform her floor routine, the dynamic tumbler was even bouncing straight jumps after her double straight back. Dos Santos performed her routine to the max and smiled throughout as completed her funky dance set. Commenting on her fellow competitors she said ‘They are all great. The US girls are always strong. The Chinese girls and Beth (Tweddle) from England are also strong.’

Great Britain’s Beth Tweddle and coach Amanda Kirby were in the audience during podium session one of training to support Rhian Pugh and Imogen Cairns.

Men’s Podium Training

Japan’s Hiroykui Tomita ‘The competition area feels a bit small. I also felt that perhaps the high bars were a little hard.’ Tomita turns 25 on Monday and is a favourite for the all around.

Italy’s Matteo Morandi ‘I feel fine. Up until yesterday, I felt a bit crooked. But I have been sleeping a lit. The time change is hard for us coming from Italy.’

Romania’s Marius Urzica ‘I think this will be my last competition.’

USA’s Justin Spring ‘It feels good. I muscled through my first routine.’ (on high bar). Justin trained with a heavily strapped right ankle. He trained well however and performed his triple twisting, double back on floor.

Italy’s Igor Cassina ‘I went better on the high bar this time than in training. I had a good sensation it was not perfect but I am happy, not super happy, but happy.’

China’s Li Xiaopeng ‘It was ok. It’s simply to try out the competition area.’ Xiaopeng trained hard and showed no signs of his strained back injury he picked up earlier in the week.

Great Britain’s Louis Smith ‘It was great. The pommel horse was brand new which always helps.’ On his chances of success - ‘I’m feeling good and I’m happy with the routine. My team officials think I’m in the best group, and that I could match it.’

France’s Danny Rodriguez ‘My movements were very good today.’

Spain’s Manuel Carballo ‘I can do better. During the training, there was only 20 minutes, so we only get a couple of tries. I have two days left and I will train harder.’

Germany’s Fabian Hambuechen ‘I don’t feel any pressure, I think the only pressure that I can feel is the pressure that I put on myself. I also have done some mental training with my uncle and it has really helped me.’ Hambuechen fell on his head during the final pass of his floor routine but jumped up immediately.

Romanian’s Marian Dragulescu spent some time thinking over his floor routine on the mat but appeared happy with it on completion.

Belarussia’s Ivan Ivankov received a rapturous applause as he mounted the high bar and impressed the crowd with his new routine.

USA’s Sean Golden ‘This is my first big competition. I will get a lift, I love a crowd. But my biggest support will be from my parents who have travelled all the way here, they are very proud.’

Australia’s Damian Istria ‘Nothing will be changed with my routines, except maybe this time I’ll try to land on my feet in my dismount on floor, instead of on my stomach. I’ve heard that’s a good idea in gymnastics.’

Poland’s Leszek Blanik ‘I am happy that podium training went well, everything is going okay.’