Joura and Mitchell Perform in Pottsville
WAIS gymnasts Dasha Joura and Lauren Mitchell have continued their preparations for the 2008 Beijing Games with solid performances at the Friendship classic in the US over the weekend.
Joura finished top of the standings with a score of 58.3, a fine achievement after the 17-year old dislocated a finger before the start of the tournament.
Mitchell claimed second place with a well worked routine earning a score of 58. The girls finished ahead of gymnasts from the US, Netherlands, Russia, Canada, Ukraine, Germany and Trinidad and Tobago.
Despite the win, Joura felt her performance was a mixed affair.
“Tonight, I did worse than I’d like to in some areas, and better than what I expected in others – It was a fun meet and a good atmosphere,” Joura said.
The hard work is set to intensify for both Joura and Mitchell as they look ahead to the May Olympic qualification rounds in Melbourne (20-25 May). It is here they will compete for the Australian team.
The girls will go through up to 6.5 hours training a day, but their Coach Martine George believes the effort is worth while.
“I believe they are both good enough to compete (in the 2008 Beijing Games),” George said.
The girls will next compete at the Pacific Alliance Championships in San Jose, California between March 28-30.
To view video of the girls in action at the Friendship Classic follow this link: