Bad times in Brazilian gymnastics: Not one but three of Brazil's top gymnasts will not be able to compete at the World Championships.
Brazilian star Diego Hypolito, the 2005 and 2007 World Champion on floor exercise, announced his withdrawal from the competition following a left ankle injury that has not healed properly in time for him to make a good showing in Rotterdam, the Brazilian Gymnastics Federation reported Tuesday.
"My foot had not improved as expected and the situation is a probable surgery," Hypolito said. "I'm sad because it's the first time in my career that I have to miss a competition of this importance."
National team members Arthur Zanetti, a rings finalist at the 2009 World Championships, and Victor Rosa, who like Hypolito excels on vault and floor, are also injured and will not be in Rotterdam. At the Brazilian Championships last month, Hypolito won the men's all-around as well as vault and floor. Rosa was second all-around, followed by Mosiah Rodrigues.
This is likely ends the chances at a medal for the Brazilian men, who like everyone else need to place among the 24 teams in order to advance to the 2011 World Championships. The top 12 teams at the 2011 Worlds will obtain Olympic team berths.
On the other hand, the loss of Hypolito, Zanetti and Rosa does not cripple the team. Young Sergio Sasaki, only 18, and veteran Rodrigues, 29, will likely lead Brazil at the World Championships. Sasaki in particular is an exciting young gymnast with tremendous potential.
Brazil can place 24th and still go to the 2011 Worlds with their best and still qualify for the Olympics. This is not the most important year for them. Still, it is a bummer.
Brazilian World teams: Men - Mosiah Rodrigues, Danilo Nogueira, Pericles Silva, Sergio Sasaki, Petrix Barbosa, Felipe and Francisco Barreto Polato.
Women - Jade Barbosa, Daniele Hypolito, Bruna Leal, Priscilla Cobello, Ethiene Franco, Adrian and Gabriela Gomes Soares.
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