THE FASHIONISTA: SENIORS

We take a look at some of the outfits worn at yesterday's Senior Qualification round.




I think this is an improvement of the one they wore on Training day, however I am still not a fan. But, I think that Pink looks nice on the Romanian team.




This isn't too bad. I just thought it was too uncharacteristic to be a Russian leotard. I'd imagine Slovenia or Israel to wear it but the pattern is so nice. hehe!




Spanny's 'the freaking pinwheel' strikes again. Obviously, Belgium are the last people you'd expect to be wearing pink this meet (ah!) Of course not, there whole wardrobe consists of pink, pink and a little bit more of pink. But, hey, they made team finals. Belgium love them.




The 'wow, Adela?' design. It has Sweden and BLAH written all over it. Quite reasonable for Adela's taste but it isn't lush. The leaves in the corner are quite effective.




Wow Vasiliki, Wow! What us bloggers would refer to as #hotpinknation It looks like they have a long, pink armband, also the clear sleeves need to DIE! Nooo....




Your average from a German leotard. National colors, tired pattern and Oksana Chusovitina.




I totally love this one...yay, we've found one I like. The lines going down the side are really pretty and very nice and sort of makes it like an adidas leotard. It's a very basic design yet the colors enhance it.




I am hating the material. Also, these leotards are so common, they're isn't even a flag/advertisement separating it from another nation's version. 





I wish Sweden would have worn the Slovenian one. I think this one is really weird. There isn't any yellow just a golden sleeve with blue weird stripes and then 3/4 of it is sheer black with diamontes, hmmph? 




the 'neon party' leotard. I want Ireland to do a version like the Spanish one with the Irish colors, it would look so cool. Basic but actually very cool. Attracts a lot of attention, and even has matching iluminous scrunchie.




Material = 0
Design = 0
Simplicity = 100!!


Lara Svilpaite works the 'zebra' look. Not sure I'm buying it.


thank you for reading:)

BRUSSELS 2012: JUNIOR QUALIFICATIONS/TF

Today, we saw the best of europe go head to head in the Junior european gymnastics championships in Brussels, Belgium. It was an exciting and no-doubt tight competition with small margin for error. 


In the team side of things, Russia prevailed with a team score of 167.330, taking the gold home. 3.299 points later, we saw the second placed team which was Italy. In the bronze medal position, Romania took it.


Great Britain lost the bronze by less than 1 mark but still gaining great experience for the girls with 4th






In all-around terms, Maria Kharenkova of Russia swooped in to 1st position with 56.132.
Italian superstar Elisa Meneghini qualified 2nd and Evgeniya Shelguynova in 3rd.

Vault;




Bars;




Beam;




Floor;





To end with;


@theallaround just posted a nice picture on twitter of the team final podium a few minutes ago;




The competition will carry on tomorrow with the Senior Qualifications. 
follow @Double_Front @GymExaminer and @theallaround for highlights.

THE FASHIONISTA: EUROS PODIUM TRAINING

We take a look at some of the leotards that were worn during the Senior podium training yesterday. We saw a variation of different colors, patterns and materials. Let's take a look;




This is the Belorussian team. It's a nice, simple leotard for a CLUB! It doesn't scream international gymnastics or Belarus, more just like a county/state meet leotard. What do the colors represent in Belarus?




Kim show's off this very typical German style leotard. I mean the lighter tone of red makes it Pink but I like that and it goes really well with the yellow swirl but this is cut way, way to high! That's what let's it down.




As many tweeter's have said ''Mike Wazowzki'' leotard. It screams ''EURGH, GET ME A BUCKET!'' and ''WHY THE HELL IS THIS IN THE GREEK WARDROBE''. Straight off the top, the pink chest bit almost see-through but also it's just a random mix between the 2 colours. But, this mid air acrobatic shot of Millousi redeems the whole picture.




I really didn't know what to say about this when I saw this picture. I'm surprised that Russia opted for a long-sleeved leotard as their usual choices go short. But, I think a new leotard concept to the Russian wardrobe is good. The shades of blue are really TOO PRETTY and It's not too high cut = YAY!!




Just when you thought the Romanian national colors were safe! I hate this one. It is just really weird with the random blue coming down the sides and the sleeves are GROSS. I hope they do opt for a national colored leotard for qualifications tomorrow, they represent themselves a lot better then.




The usual you'd expect from France. National color city with a hint of pretty pattern. I am a fan of this one but it's pretty same-ish.




We'll review both sides of the picture;


Portugal:


I am a big fan of this number. First shown off by the classy Ana Porgras, It has been very popular since. White, Blue and Black are actually quite a nice combo:)


Belgium:


I like how the whole competition is like ''think pink'' because the cards are pink, the arena is pink and hay, the leos are pink. The Diamontes are very beautiful, you'll make the team final leotard wise.




and now the junior's step up to the fashionista playing field;




Oh, I really don't like this one. The sleeves are really random and the gold just doesn't do it for me. However, I am a massive fan of the British flag backs (and Angel Romaeo)




This is the leotard that inspired white to come in with the Romanian leos. This is just a bit weird. Although, all the primary colors is a good start. Plus, good way to put the leotard manufacturer on...(the sleeve)




Bored...but again, they have stuck to the pinky theme so congratulations Belgium.




This is a very nice leotard from France. Many of their wardrobe is a blue domination but who cares? The color and pattern is LUSH!




the ''OMFG, KILL ME NOW!'' leotard. When did Belarus hire a 3 year old to design their leotards? Basic, boring, DIE!




Thanks for reading and remember. Follow live action from the Senior Competition tomorrow via. twitter! @Double_Front @GymExaminer @theallaround for live tweets:)

SEITZ WITHDRAWS

Many live bloggers in Belgium have said that German gymnast Elisabeth Seitz has withdrawn from the competition because of injury. The injury is a back pain and she may be out of the Olympics because of it. Her replacement will be 2x world athlete Pia Tolle.




We wish Eli the best recovery...

BETH FOLLOWS.

We are privileged to tell you that 3x Olympian Beth Tweddle is now following us on twitter. We are very happy for her to follow us. Now, she is following, we can DM her so give us your questions to ask her.


Thanks,


James.

NHK 2012: WHO'S GOING TO LONDON?

In Japan, the final leg for the London 2012 Olympic Games was to rank in the top 5 at this year's NHK Cup. It was held yesterday. At the end of the meet, here was the gymnasts that qualified for London;

1. Tanaka Rie
2. Yu Minobe 
3. Asuka Teramoto
4. Tsurumi Koko
5. Yuko Hsinchu

The biggest disappointment for me was little Mai Yamagishi who came in at 10th. I really thought she was going to do big things for this team. Sticking with Mai, Mai Murakami was last in the whole competition. But, how? She had massive skills/upgrades prior.

No doubt that this team with do really well in London though.

BRUSSELS 2012: VAULT CONTENDERS

We start a new series for the Brussels 2012 highlighting someone of the contenders for apparatus finals from each country. We bring you the vault today. Over the past year, we have seen revolutionary change in vaulting. Many more people are investing in a second vault and the high difficulty values have been increased (an average vault start value for a vault final is usually 5.2-5.5. Let's take a look at the girls that could factor;


RUSSIA:
Russia are known mainly for their beauty on floor and beam but they also have a lot of power on vault and bars.


Aliya Mustafina


Aliya is back after last year's vault mishap at Europeans and ready for battle to win the vault crown.
























Viktoria Komova


Viktoria has been training a second vault of yurchenko half on, tuck front off as demonstrated at the Voronin Cup. Whether she'll be able to make finals, I am not sure but she's definitely a contender if she can pull off her amanar. 
















Tatiana Nabieva


Nabs has been around for a very long time but I still think she could pull out the goods. Nabieva has experimented with an amanar before but she only got credited the double. If she doesn't final, I think that Grishina or Paseka could take this spot.
































ROMANIA:


I've only picked 2 girls for this because they haven't been very strong in recent years for vaulting. Is Iordache a 2-vaulter? I haven't added her, please tell me;)


Sandra Izbasa


2011 Vault European Champion, Sandra Izbasa, has come back from injury scare early this year. Her vaulting has become very solid and she is a big contender. 


















Diana Chelaru


Not a very strong vaulter but has the vaults to squeeze in.
Time will tell.








other gymnasts;





Dorina Boczogo


Always been a strong, powerful vaulter. Can she make it to finals? Maybe not but don't count her out for all-around finals.
























Imogen Cairns


Imogen is coming back after a quiet year in 2011. Don't count her out as she is Commonwealth Champion and has finalled at European and World levels.






Youna Dufournet


We have seen Youna on vault many times. I think she could make it to the finals this year. She was injured in 2010 and missed out on Worlds, in 2011, she didn't make Euros but made bars finals at Worlds. Youna has had a busy and yo-yo past 2 years.










Oksana Chusovitina


When Germany keeps moving, Chusovitina is staying. The 34 year old veteran gymnast is still in the mix for the Europeans. 2008 Olympic Vault Silver Medalist, 2008/2011 European Vault Champion, she keeps moving strength to strength.

















Giulia Steingruber


Giulia Steingruber is a very, very strong vaulter. In 2011, she made the European vault final but unluckily fell. Later in 2011, she made World Vault Finals and came 6th. Earlier this year in Osijek, she upgraded her second vault to a 1.5 tsuk, can she keep up the great work?





t.h.a.n.k.s:)