Marvellous Mitchell in a Class of Her Own
World champion Lauren Mitchell was the star performer at the final World Cup event of the year in Glasgow this morning, securing victory on beam and floor to add even more gold to her remarkable 2010 collection.
Defeating a world-class field, the Perth teenager dominated on floor (14.800) and beam (14.675) and also collected a bronze medal on bars (13.725), further reinforcing her status in world gymnastics.
This morning’s achievement brings Mitchell’s tally to five gold out of a possible eight events over the last two World Cup competitions.
“I was really happy with my performance and the two titles as the equipment wasn’t what I was used to,” said Mitchell. “It shows that I can adapt and work in a range of environments which is important and shows I’m developing.”
Mitchell has enjoyed an amazing run of success over the last two months. The 19-year-old collected four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, and then created history last month by becoming the first Australian female gymnast to win a world title, claiming gold on floor in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Just last weekend in Stuttgart, the 19-year-old re-wrote the record books once again, becoming the first Australian gymnast to win three gold medals at a single World Cup event.
“It’s been an amazing few months, not only for me but for the whole Australian team,” continued Mitchell.
“The Commonwealth Games was a great chance for us all to compete in a big event and get experience ahead of the World Championships, which were the big aim for the whole team.
“To qualify for the next step of the Olympic qualifications was the key so we were really happy with that and then of course for me to win the floor title was just the icing on the cake. The day just went perfectly for me and I was amazed to get the title.”
Only seven Australian gymnasts have won a gold medal at a World Cup series event – Lauren Mitchell (floor, beam – Glasgow 2010, floor, beam, uneven bars – Stuttgart 2010, beam – Madrid 2008), Prashanth Sellathurai (pommel horse – Doha 2008), Daria Joura (floor – Stuttgart 2007), Phil Rizzo (high bar – Stuttgart 2001, Cottbus 2002, Glasgow 2005), Jacqui Dunn (uneven bars – Stuttgart 2001), Allana Slater (bars – Stuttgart 2000; floor – Cottbus 2002) and Hollie Dykes (beam – Stuttgart, 2006).
Just one competition remains in 2010 for the Perth teenager – the Toyota Cup in Japan from December 10 to 12.
Mitchell will make her way home to Perth today before heading to Canberra next week (November 29/30) to attend the National Club Championships/IDP camp to meet with fans and sign autographs, and will then fly to Melbourne to attend the Sport Performer Awards on the evening of November 30.
– Gymnastics Australia