WAIS Gymnasts Earn Finals Qualification in Doha World Cup
WAIS athletes Lauren Mitchell and Olivia Vivian have qualified for apparatus finals at the 2014 Doha Gymnastics World Challenge Cup.
The event marks something of an comeback for both athletes, with 2010 World Champion Lauren Mitchell competing in her first international competition since recovering from shoulder surgery in late 2013, whilst Olivia Vivian represented Australia for the first time since the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Mitchell contested both the women’s Balance Beam and Floor apparatus, but a fall and subsequent score of 12.150 on the former ruled her out of contention, before the dual Olympian returned for her pet event on Floor, with a routine of typical class earning her progression to Friday’s final with a score of 14.300.
The final will attract plenty of interest with a world class field assembled in Doha. Mitchell – a 2010 World Champion on Floor – will go head to head with Romanian top qualifier and fourth place getter at the 2013 World Championships, Larisa Iordache. Iordache’s countrywoman Diana Bulimar will also be a medal threat after qualifying third.
Speaking with International Gymnast Magazine before competition, Mitchell said the opportunity to compete again was one she was relishing after a sustained injury layoff.
“It is my first one back in a long time, and it’s a really good chance for me to develop a base for what I need to do and work on in the gym for events later on in the year. I’m really looking forward to the competition, nerves and all,” she said.
Mitchell’s WAIS training partner Olivia Vivian ensured it would be a successful campaign for the WA contingent after joining her in finals qualification, earning the second highest rank in the women’s Uneven Bars.
Vivian – who completed a four year College Scholarship in Oregon, USA post Beijing – has returned to the Australian high performance system in fine style, and showcased her potential for Commonwealth Games selection later in the year after scoring 12.950 despite not executing her landing.
Speaking to InsideWAIS, Vivian said it was encouraging to be back in international competition, particularly after a traffic accident in the week leading up to the tournament had caused a scare.
“It felt really good returning to the international stage,” Vivian said. “There was definitely some interesting preparation obstacles, including a car accident a week prior, but it’s all about trusting the work put in everyday at training.”
With Vivian’s final scheduled for Thursday night Perth time, the popular WA athlete said she was looking forward to getting back out on big stage.
“I can’t wait for another opportunity to compete this bar routine in finals, and this time stick my landing,” she said.
In other WAIS gymnastics news:
Two developing members of the WAIS gymnastics squad have returned impressive results at an International event in Jesolo, Italy.
Aya Meggs scored 14.084 in the Vault final, whilst her training partner Darcy Norman scored 13.067 in finishing sixth on the Uneven Bars.