Men's All Around preview

2 September 2010 | The UK National Governing Body for Gymnastics

World Artistic Gymnastics Championships

British and European hopes pinned on Daniel Keatings.
There seems little question that Kohei Uchimura of Japan will be on the winner’s podium today with Gold around his neck. Barring a huge disaster he is, in difficulty and performance, way out in front finishing the qualifications the best part of 2 points clear of the chasing field. Kohei is at the cutting edge of the Japanese resurgence, Vice champion in Beijing and a superb technician. He has a confidence and authority on the apparatus that is compelling. But sport is not about yesterdays results, he has to do it all again this evening.

The podium places have rarely been so open. Accepting that Uchimura has one of the 3 places then the other two have 5 gymnasts battling for honours, 2 from USA, 2 from Eastern Europe and 1 from Great Britain. This may be an historic event for the host nation, as Daniel Keatings looks good to be the first British gymnast to take an All Around World medal.

In qualifications Daniel made a slow start with tenths away on floor with unsteady landings and a slip on his Pommel Horse dismount. So we know that Dan has 2 points waiting to be tidied up giving him a podium finish score. Most important, Dan has the credibility with the World Gymnastics community as a technician and performer of classic quality and that carries an expectation in the judges’ mind that they are watching not only the European top contender but also a gymnast of World reputation.

Of the Americans, Jonathan Horton has the potential for greater scores with Tim Mcneill having that edge of excitement in his performance that carries the audience vote.

From Ukraine, Mykola Kusenkov has the purest of technique and real elegance in movement with Russia’s Maxim Devyatovsky capable of demonstrating a massive vault and absolute power, his muscles have muscles.

For Great Britain there is a second All Around finalist in Kristian Thomas, British and English Champion and an experienced competitor. He is capable of a big score and today will be looking towards a personal best and lifting his ranking above his qualifying 9th position. He might surprise everyone and split the front runners.

Great Britain already has had exceptional Championships, 2 in the All Around Finals and Louis Smith going for Gold in the Pommel Horse finals at the weekend. The other 3 British Gymnasts did themselves and British interests a lot of good. They have shown that in difficulty and competitive ability they are in touch with the rest of the Worlds Best. Theo Seager has an awe-inspiring power that is adrenalin turbo charged. With a little more experience he will bring it all under control and deliver a big result. Daniel Purvis has a talent that has great depths still. He needs now only to be more assertive in performance to win medals. Yevgeny Gryshchenko has waited a long time for his chance to compete for Great Britain and with the ink still drying on his passport needs a few more World Class events to tune into podium performance. His High Bar and Parallel Bars do the business and his Floor when it connects has all that is needed to make a major Finals.

Last Updated on Thursday, 01 July 2010 12:28

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