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Five routines you should see from the Pan American Games

Blythe Lawrence's photo
Gymnastics Examiner

What will we remember about the 2011 Pan American Games? The U.S. women's domination in spite of some injuries and mistakes, the rise of Ana Sofia Gomez Porras of Guatemala, and strong, strong performances by two Colombian men -- young Jossimar Calvo and veteran Jorge Hugo Giraldo -- who are at opposite ends of their gymnastics careers.

Here are my picks for the can't-miss-routines of the Games: 

View slideshow: Best of the 2011 Pan American Games

1. Tomas Gonzalez, CHI, floor (EF): Though this was perhaps the most perfectly executed routine from either a man or a woman at the Pan American Games, two-time World floor finalist Gonzalez lost the event title to two-time World floor champion Diego Hypolito of Brazil. Hypoito did have a 0.3 advantage in difficulty, but I thought he also gave away more on his landings than the judges took. Gonzalez, meanwhile, was flawless on almost all of his landings. Compare the two and make your own assessment: Watch Gonzalez's routine here, Hypolito's here. 

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2. Catalina Escobar, COL, vault (EF): She only took bronze, but this Colombian has one of the better DTYs in the world today. Watch it here.

3. Jossimar Calvo, COL, floor (TF): A lot is going to be written about this incredibly talented youngster (he's just 17!) who launches himself like a rocket into his tumbling passes. Calvo, who is short but not too muscular to be good at an event like pommel horse, has an ideal body for gymnastics, and performs with an almost puppyish enthusiasm. A bonus is his big 3.5 twist. Watch it here.
 
4. Daniel Corral, MEX, parallel bars (EF): He rivals new World pbars champion Danell Leyva in smoothness on this apparatus, and has excellent skills. Even if you don't like watching pbars, you'll probably like this routine. Watch his 2010 routine here.
 
5. Bridgette Caquatto, USA, uneven bars (AA): The secret to her all-around win was her intricate and well performed routine on this event. Could she challenge to be the U.S.'s all-important Olympic bars specialist? Watch her routine here.

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15 photos
Elsa Garcia of Mexico on vault.

Slideshow: Best of the 2011 Pan American Games

2011 Pan American Games champion Jossimar Calvo of Colombia. .
2011 Pan American Games champion Jossimar Calvo of Colombia. .
Photo credit: 
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images

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Blythe Lawrence is a freelance writer from Seattle. Contact Blythe.

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