World floor champion Lauren Mitchell is in good contention to regain the Australian title she won in 2009 after a strong showing on day one of the Australian national championship in Perth.
Mitchell, who hails from Western Australia, was the top scorer on all four events during the first day of competition, vaulting to the lead over first year senior Georgia-Rose Brown by more than 3.5 points.
Mitchell scored 14.55 for a double-twisting Yurchenko vault, 14.45 on bars, 15.05 on beam (6.6 D-score) and 13.325 for her new floor routine, which she debuted at the Japan Cup two weeks ago.
Videos (courtesy of Youtube user Gemeanie):
Twenty-one-year-old Chloe Sims, the 2006 Commonwealth Games all-around champion, made a successful return to elite competiton and is currently sitting third overall (53.2 after 0.1 neutral deductions on beam and floor).
Other videos:
- Chloe Sims, FX
- Chloe Sims, UB (dismount)
- Chloe Sims, BB (partial)
- Georgia-Rose Brown, UB (proving that tall people can often swing better than short ones)
- Sophie Budac, VT
- Amaya King Koi, FX
- Georgia Godwin, BB
- Emma Nedov, BB
- Alexandra Eade, UB
- Jazminne Casis, UB
Worlds hopefuls Mary-Anne Monckton, who was second all-around at the 2010 Australian Championships, had the second best score on bars (14.0) but struggled on beam (12.375) and is fourth (52.975). Former World bars finalist Larrissa Miller is fifth (51.225), followed by 2008 Olympian Ashleigh Brennan (51.175), who had the second-best score of the day on beam (14.075).
First-year senior Natalia Joura, younger sister of former Aussie star Daria Joura, only competed on balance beam, where she scored 10.75.
Newcomer Georgia Godwin of Queensland (born 1997) leads the junior division (49.4) over Victoria's Alexandra Eade (48.225) and Emma Nedov of New South Wales (47.95).
In the team competition, Team Victoria (Brennan, Brown, Monckton and Britt Greeley) defeated Team Queensland (Sims, Miller, Amaya King Koi and Sophie Budack) by four points, 158.9-154.9.
A number of prominent Australian gymnasts are absent from this competition, including 2010 World team members Emily Little, Georgia Wheeler, World team alternate Georgia Simpson and reigning Australian champion Georgia Bonora.
The Australian men's championships will be taking place July 15th-19th in Perth.
Related: Results from day one of competition at the Australian women's championships.
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