Props to Porgras -- All-around winner Ana Porgras, a thin, lanky type, has one of the most stunning Memmel turns ever. No offense to Chellsie Memmel herself, but Porgras and Italy's Paola Galante just own this skill.
Ana Porgras, 2009 Romanian Nationals All-Around, Floor:
Porgras is also one of the few Romanians to do something on floor other than the posing, cutesy steps and arm-waving that her countrywomen have come to be known for since the 1980s, the heyday of Romanian artistic gymnastics. Good for Porgras (and her choreographer) for incorporating some ballet and taking advantage of the way she moves.
If, however, she's going to qualify for event finals in London on this event, she's got to keep her tumbling in bounds.
And of course, there's that beam routine, which people have been raving about as pretty yet aggressive. Progras has built on an already solid foundation, including adding a Teza jump (split jump with her head back) though it's not done perpendicular to the beam the way the inventive Frenchwoman did it more than a decade ago.
In the all-around, Porgras jumped off on her back walkover, back handspring to layout to two feet, but if she just stays on and stops wobbling, she could be a world medalist on this event. Of course, you could say that about a lot of other people, too. I also liked the side aerial to one foot to immediate switch leap.
World team member Diana Chelaru threw a nice full twist on beam and in general landed things better than Porgras, though she lacks Porgras's artistry.
Diana Chelaru, 2009 Romanian Nationals, All Around, Beam:
Anamaria Tamirjan, now the elder statesman on Romania's World team, can really stick a good landing. Tamirjan is a no-brainer for the World team. She could potentially make event finals on beam or floor.
Anamaria Tamirjan, 2009 Romanian Nationals Event Finals, Floor:
Top three aside, the future of Romanian gymnastics is not yet in the senior division. That's not the big surprise though; more shocking is that the nouveau Romanian generation is not downright stoic. Tiny Diana Bulimar (second all-around in the junior division) looked great on floor. And junior all around champion Larisa Iordache and her jazzy showmanship!
Iordache fell on bars in the all-around and had various other problems, including having to cover for missed pirouetting skills by doing many half pirouettes. To her credit, she fell attempting a rare full-twisting double pike dismount on bars, with the full twist at the front of the first flip.
Gabriela Dragoi looked decent enough on beam, though she was obviously not at Olympic level -- she only dismounted with a double full twist. Bars was a different story, unfortunately -- Dragoi looked underconditioned, peeled off on her Jaeger, took an extra swing after her Geinger (both releases were low) and only did a double back off.
Gabriela Dragoi, 2009 Romanian Nationals Event Finals, Beam (3rd):
In her first competition in about 18 months, Cerasela Patrascu looked, well, like she hadn't competed in about 18 months. Her beam routine showed her maturity, but contained far too many wobbles, and she dismounted with simple a front full.
On bars, Patrascu preseted a complete routine including a Maloney II, Tkatchev and some toe-on stalderwork, with a layout dismount. Best wishes to her as she continues to train.
Cerasela Patrascu, 2009 Romanian Nationals All Around, Beam:
Other quick notes: Iordache is slightly weak on vault (she performed a rather sloppy Yurchenko full and a lowish tucked Omelienchik). However, vault seems to be an event it takes juniors awhile to come around on, so to speak, and there's no need to hurry Iordache.
The big question is who will be tapped to replace Sandra Izbasa at the World Championships. Although Dragoi was named first alternate when the team was announced, Racea made a good case for her inclusion in London by placing first on beam during event finals. Too bad that since she won't turn 16 in 2009, she's not eligible to compete.
Amelia Racea, 2009 Romanian Nationals Event Finals, Beam (1st):
Comments
Just two things that need to be mentioned:
- Porgras is not at her best yet, especially regarding her floor tumbling - she had a knee surgery a few months ago
- Amelia Racea is not eligible for London, she recently turned 15
Porgras's jump is actually a Yang Bo jump.
Porgas's jump is neither a Teza or a Yang Bo. It's a switch leg ring leap. In the code neither the Teza(which is just a sideward Yang Bo) or the Yang Bo include a switch leg or the bent back leg.
Jasmine is right. Porgras' leap on beam is a switch ring. And it has great height...but is nothing spectacular. Now if she actually performed a Teza...that would be something to talk about!
Her floor choreo is nice. The tumbling lacks and I think she fell out of both turns (despite the lovely position).
Porgras does both a switch ring and a Yang Bo in her routine. At least she did in the AA. In the EF she took out the Yang Bo. Cerasela also does a Yang Bo
Yes, I was referring to the Yang Bo Porgras threw in the all-around routine. It's so nice to see the Romanians adding some new elements in their beam and floor work than they've used the past!
About the turns...Porgras does fall on her double turn with leg at horizontal but she does the Memmel wonderfully!
Just one more thing! :)
Iordache did a gorgeous full-in piked off bars in event finals! You can find it on youtube.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!