Who said artistry on floor was dead? I sat down to make a list of my favorite floor routines from 2011 the other day, and 20 routines (10 of which are highlighted below, 10 of which will be discussed in a seperate post) popped to mind so quickly I could hardly write them all down.
These routines are all different, but similar in that they show class, creativity and a great amount of polish. The coaches who encouraged them, choreographers who put them together and gymnasts who gave them life should all be commended for coming through with these exercises at a time where the code of points makes it difficult to fully explore the artistic side of floor.
Here they are, in no particular order:
1. Mariya Livchikova, UKR. The Ukrainian women's team is wandering in the wilderness, but golden-haired Livchikova provided it with a measure of hope this year before succumbing to a knee injury in Tokyo just before the World Championships. This routine is simply wonderful -- full of grace and light, with wonderful form on all her skills (check out the double front in particular.) Here's wishing Livchikova and her team a better 2012. Watch the routine here.
2. Yulia Chemareva, RUS. The classical Russian elegance! Nobody did it better this year than young Chemareva, a junior who made her international debut at the Trofeo di Jesolo but really shone at Top Gym, where she won uneven bars. This floor routine, however, was what really made her stand out. Watch it here.
3. Danusia Francis, GBR. Francis has many unique qualities in an elite gymnast -- she's tall, with a long frame and a lot of natural elegance -- and this routine takes full advantage of it. Danusia's love of performing is evident here as well, and the choreography allows it to come out. This is a piece that could only be pulled off by this gymnast, and that's one reason it's so special. Francis understands the importance a turn of the head, or a tilt of the chin can have on the overall effect. More gymnasts should take note. Watch it here.
4. Lauren Mitchell, AUS. As the 2010 World floor champion couldn't possibly show up to defend her title with the same old routine, the Aussies flew in superchoreo Adriana Pop to work with Lauren on a new creation. The music was discovered serendipitiously ("Besame Mucho" was playing on the radio in the gym where Lauren was working out, and Pop had a "Eureka!" moment) and Freddie Mercury's vocals give the whole thing an "Outback" feel. People were torn about this routine, but I loved the choreography at once, and Lauren, after a few rehersals with the piece, settled into it well. Her performance on floor during the World all-around finals might be the best performance given on floor this year. Watch it here.
5. Hannah Whelan, GBR. Another Pop creation, this routine fits Hannah to a T. Both music and movements are slightly funky (note the "neck choreography" between her third and fourth passes. How many floor routines are detailed enough to even have neck choreography?) but wonderfully delivered. Watch it here.
6. Vasiliki Millousi, GRE. She struts! She simmers! Goddess-like, she is exactly what dance teachers and choreographers talk about when they describe extension. Paired with a wonderful lyrical piece of music, this routine was instantly one of the prettiest in the world this year. Watch it here.
7. Sui Lu, CHN. The choreography might have seemed a little heavy for her last year, but Sui Lu grew into this piece marvelously in 2011. The music, to "Scent of a Woman," was paired with dramatic gestures -- and the occasional head toss -- that made it just right. It was a routine worthy of winning at Worlds -- and it almost did! Don't expect Sui to stick with it for 2012, however -- she and choreographer Pop are working on a more upbeat Indian piece for the Olympic Games. Watch it here.
8. Daria Yelizerova, UZB. Her music makes me want to throw a dance party. The beautiful finish on everything, especially her dance, is what endeared this routine to me. Watch it here.
9. Rie Tanaka, JPN. A classy, jazzy, beautifully put together routine that Longines Prize for Elegance winner Rie performs with aplomb. Perhaps my favorite routine to watch at the World Championships. Watch it here.
10. Koko Tsurumi, JPN. It's rare these days to see a routine delivered without any superfluous steps, shuffles, or hops. That's one thing that makes this one a gem -- it's so perfect and so graceful (especially for someone so short!) that it harkens back to a better time in the sport, where striving for perfection actually meant doing routines that looked perfect. Watch it here.
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