Mitchell Sixth in World Cup Return

WAIS-AIS gymnast Lauren Mitchell has made her first international appearance since returning from an ankle injury, with a sixth place finish on the un-even bars at the Moscow World Cup.

Mitchell had been hampered by an injury to her ankle that had seen the world champion miss an earlier scheduled world cup appearance in Glasgow, Scotland.

Mitchell competed in only the un-even bars in Russia, in an attempt to ease her back into competition and to avoid re-aggravating her problem ankle.

Whilst the un-even bars isn’t considered a strength for Mitchell, she managed to return a score of 13.100 in the 12 member final, with victory going to German gymnast Elisabeth Seitz, with Anna Dementyeva (silver) of Russia and Jessica Lopez (bronze) of Venezuela taking the minor medals.

Mitchell said upon returning home to Perth that her ankle felt good and she expects to step up her routines ahead of the National Championships in Perth later this year.

Recently, Mitchell was recognised at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra with an honour board in the main foyer highlighting her exceptional form of 2010.

Mitchell made history last year by becoming the first Australian Women’s Gymnastics World Champion when she took Gold on Floor in Rotterdam. The honour board stands amongst those of many of Australia’s greatest sporting athletes and it is a fantastic tribute to Lauren and the sport of Gymnastics.