Little Stars on Vault as Rio Selections Begin

Published On: 26 May 2016

A star turn on Vault as part of a consistent All Around campaign for Emily Little has provided an early boost for her Olympic bid at the selection trials in Melbourne.

With team qualifying the first competitive action in the women’s artistic roster at the 2016 Australian Gymnastics Championships, Little posted the second highest All Around aggregate with her total of 55.275 topped only by Rianna Mizzen’s (QLD) 55.875.

Little’s score of 15.250 on Vault was the highest total of any apparatus and the London Olympian also underlined her credentials with the third highest ranked display on Beam and fourth on Floor.

Lauren Mitchell performed well on Floor to score 13.725 and take top billing for the apparatus but had a deduction for a fall on Beam, registering 12.400.

News South Wales’ Emma Nedov impressed on Beam, top scoring with 14.900 whilst Victorian Larrissa Miller earned highest marks on Bars (14.650).

Team final will follow on Friday, with scores accrued in the second rotation set to award All Around medals in aggregate with Wednesday’s action. Combined totals will also determine individual apparatus finalists, with individual podium finals taking place over the weekend.

With only one spot available on the Australian Olympic Team for women’s artistic gymnastics in Rio, podium finals will take on even greater significance. Mitchell will look to elevate her selection claims with a strong performance on Floor and Beam, whilst Little will look to reassert her dominance on Vault, on top of a likely All Around medal performance on Friday.

Also in action in Melbourne, WAIS gymnast Yasmin Collier set the ninth highest All Around total with 50.575, just ahead of training partner Darcy Norman (50.575). Fellow West Aussie Aya Meggs earned 38.500 in total, having not competed on Beam, whilst Paige James scored 25.200, having contested Vault and Floor.

Beijing Olympian and Western Australian gymnastics great Olivia Vivian, posted the eighth highest total, scoring 51.125 All Around.