QUICK NAV
JUMP-LINKS:
INTRODUCTION
MEN’S ALL AROUND
WOMEN’S ALL AROUND
MEN’S FLOOR
POMMEL HORSE
STILL RINGS
MEN’S VAULT
PARALLEL BARS
HORIZONTAL BAR
MEN'S TEAM
WOMEN'S VAULT
UNEVEN BARS
BALANCE BEAM
WOMEN'S FLOOR
WOMEN'S TEAM
CONCLUSION AND STATS
USEFUL LINKS
RECORD-BREAKING
WORLDS!
In the ‘Green City’ of Nanning, gymnastics shone like the stars. China celebrated the sport with pizazz, not to mention respect for both its cultural content and its actors. The gymnasts were the focal point of an incredible gymnastic world championships described with every superlative, and underpinned by the masterful art of welcome, and a job well done.
Unforgettable!
When he asked the FIG authorities in 2010 to entrust him with organisation of the 45th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships of 2014, the President of the Chinese Gymnastics Association, Prof. Luo Chaoyi, hadn’t the slightest idea that he’d be writing one of the most beautiful pages in gymnastic history.
For many years to come, gymnasts and their delegations will remember the reception they received in the ‘Green City’ of Nanning, as well as all those who laboured toward organisation of a memorable world championship.
The Chinese commitment to Nanning raised the bar mightily with regard to quality welcome and the running of a competition. And they did it with a smile.
Lao Tseu wrote, “The only way to accomplish is to be.” A maxim that has inspired more than one in Nanning.
MEN’S ALL AROUND
GO+ICHI=ROKU!
Or, in Japanese, 5 + 1 = 6: The number of consecutive titles, Olympic included, in Kohei Uchimura’s Individual All-around arsenal.
With laurels like that, no one would blame King Kohei if he were a little haughty, or threw some legitimate pride in the face of his adversaries, the media and fans. Quite the contrary. Ever stolid ever Zen, the gymnast goes on year after year, aging calmly in an aura of serenity. He’s extraordinary.
The All-around was also an opportunity to get excited about Max Whitlock’s (GBR) magnificent Silver medal, despite being on the British reserve list and replacing Nile Wilson at the last minute! A reserve gymnast in second place on the All-around final ranking! British Gymnastics has potential in its pocket that could rattle the Japanese on their home turf.
Some 24 thousandths of a point behind him, Yusuke Tanaka brought the Japanese victory full circle in this final anthology.
China remained in the shadows in the All-around competition; far from being their event of choice, the gymnasts give precedence to team and apparatus competitions.
WOMEN’S ALL AROUND
SIMONE BILES, THE IMPERIAL!
During this spectacular final that unfolded before a full hall (some 10,000 spectators!), the American didn’t wait long to make her intentions known: she took her second consecutive title with grace.
We long dreamt of a USA double with Kyla Ross, but we were forgetting the fighting spirit and talent of Larisa Iordache, the Romanian leader who took Silver, to the relief of her entourage.
Disappointment for Aliya Mustafina of Russia, Yao Jinnan of China, and Italy’s Vanessa Ferrari, three legitimate aspirants to the podium, in vain.
Farther along in the ranking, new talent emerged among the new generation of champions. The British Claudia Fragapane and Ruby Harrold, notably, are a physical manifestation of the spectacular progression UK gymnasts are making, establishing themselves as bona fide outsiders - even favourites - for the distant Olympic events … not so distant in their minds.
Simone Biles’ victory was questioned by no one. The American took her second Gold medal after her US Team medal, and from Nanning took home a total of four!
MEN’S FLOOR
A UNIVERSAL FLOOR!
Everyone was waiting for Kenzo Shirai (JPN), the man of four twists in Antwerp 2013 who, it seemed, was sure to give a repeat performance in Nanning.
But an out of bounds would change all that when a 0.1 penalty robbed him of Gold. On the upside, Denis Abliazin (RUS) took the final with style.
Bronze medallist, Diego Hypolito (BRA), nearly a veteran now, is ever visible and present for big events. And another 0.1 point is what Jacob Dalton (USA) needed to access the podium. Either Gold or Bronze for a tenth of a point!
Russia, Japan, Brazil, and the United States: four continents in the top four rankings. Universality is the name of the game!
POMMEL HORSE
THE HORSE IS EUROPEAN!
Dejected in Antwerp last year, Hungarian Krisztián Berki did everything he could to improve his image; and he succeeded with panache.
The new Gold medal is a nice addition to an already impressive list of achievements, led by an Olympic title in London in 2012.
Overall satisfaction for Filip Ude (CRO) and Cyril Tommassone (FRA), Silver and Bronze medals respectively, who knew that - barring an accident - the victory could only go to the giant of Koka, where he resides in Hungary.
From a universal Floor emerges a fully European horse!
STILL RINGS
RINGS SMILE ON THE CHINESE
A demonstration of strength from Chinese Liu Yang, who dominated this competition without faltering, thanks to masterful technique showcased by clean positions. A 9.033-point Execution score underpinned it all.
Behind him, title-holding Olympic champion, Arthur Nabarrete Zanetti (BRA), who proved his talent at this apparatus once again, and who is more than deserving of his status as Brazilian group leader. In third, the Bronze was divvied up between the second Chinese gymnast of the final, You Hao, and the Russian Denis Ablyazin, at the close of a high-level competition where less than seven tenths of a point separated the world champion (15.933) from the last ranking gymnast, the second Russian Nikita Ignatiev (15.266).
MEN’S VAULT
KOREA KEEPS THE TITLE
To mirror the Women’s Vault competition, North Korea notched a victory with Ri Se-Gwang.
He won despite a 0,3 point penalty over Igor Radivilov, a Ukrainian in top form but with somewhat sloppy landings, and Jacob Dalton of the USA, slightly behind in difficulty.
The world champion title stays in Korean hands. In 2012, the Gold went south with Yang Hak-Seon, but this year the north will shine like the sun, around the neck of Ri Se-Gwang.
PARALLEL BARS
UKRAINE MIXES IT UP
In six consecutive world and Olympic competitions – since the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 – China has taken five of six titles, with the exception of Danell Leyva, who claimed Gold in Tokyo in 2011.
The American was a hair’s breadth from again ruining China’s dream of claiming another title in Nanning 2014. He skimmed first place for second, behind Oleg Verniaiev of Ukraine, and ahead of Ryohei Kato of Japan, in third.
And China? Deng Shudi stood at the foot of the podium in fourth. A year that Chinese Bars would do well to forget.
HORIZONTAL BAR
EPK AIR!
My, but that Dutchman flies! Over the bars and the heads of his adversaries! This is the third consecutive title for Zonderland and his staff, after the London Olympic Games and the Worlds in Antwerp.
We remember his first substantial victory: a Gold medal at the World Cup final in Madrid (ESP). Back then they were saying that, “the young Dutchman will look down on the bar from way up high one day!” Silver medallist, King Kohei Uchimura himself was powerless to stop him. Conquered but all smiles, he shook his head after Epke’s presentation. He’s untouchable!
More good news: a Bronze medal for Marijo Možnik, the Croatian!
MEN’S TEAM
A FINAL THAT WENT NECK AND NECK
The public was expecting a mano a mano between China and Japan, and they weren’t disappointed. But it would have been erroneous to limit this team final to two nations.
On the starting line, title aspirants and outsiders were aplenty. China, Japan in first position, but also Great Britain, Russia and the USA looked promising. Farther on, Switzerland was happy to be among the finalists at all.
The competition was sumptuous, keeping the public on the uncertain edge of their seats until the very end, when the diabolic Zhang Chenglong earned the 15.966 points needed for his team to take the lead. The walls of Guanxi Sports Center are still trembling.
China won at home THE prize medal, before a fantastic Japan and the United States one step below the level demonstrated by Asia.
Team gymnastics carried away new letters of patent that night.
WOMEN’S VAULT
TRIUMPHAL COMEBACK
North Korean Hong Un-Jong made a spectacular return to the top of the hierarchy in Nanning.
She won it fair and square, and with grace. Silver medallist, the American Simone Biles, added yet another trophy to her substantial collection. The Bronze went to the second American, Mykayla Skinner, beautiful and spectacular in flight.
Helvetians expected a lot, maybe too much,from their protégée Giulia Steingruber. After an initial, successful, and flawless vault, her second attempt visibly lacked in difficulty. Nothing else was needed to demote the 2014 European champion at the Women’s vault to fifth place, tied with Claudia Fragapane of Great Britain.
UNEVEN BARS
THE BARS ARE CHINESE!
Yao Jinnan (CHN), still glowing from her recent Longines Prize for Elegance, proved that she owns this apparatus, both artistically and technically. Starting in last position, she took a well-deserved world title ahead of her compatriot, Huang Huidan, and the Russian, Daria Spiridonova.
At the foot of the podium by 17th thousandths of a point, Ashton Locklear of the USA, the Benjamin of these worlds (16 years, nine months), still flinches over the few imperfections that punctuated her performance. Disappointment also for the other Russian in this final, Aliya Mustafina, who according to judges lacked difficulty in her exercise.
BALANCE BEAM
ANOTHER GOLD FOR SIMONE!
At this point in the world championship - after the team event and All-around competition - Simone Biles (USA) took a third Gold medal at the Beam with incredible mastery of an apparatus that has a habit of daunting gymnasts. Powerful, determined, confident, she performed her exercise without a frown. Behind her, Bai Yawen of China failed to notch an equal difficulty level for Gold, pocketing Silver instead.
The ranking list revealed a deep gap between these two gymnasts and Bronze medallist, Aliya Mustafina (RUS), also penalised for a lack of difficulty: 5.500 compared to Biles’ 6.400.
Simone Biles moved on to the Floor final!
WOMEN’S FLOOR
AND FOUR!
Precise, concentrated, and determined, the American gymnast Simone Biles skillfully mastered the formidable, not to mention difficult, apparatus.
Far behind, we might be tempted to say, Silver medallist Larisa Iordache of Romania and Bronze medallist Aliya Mustafina of Russia gave it all they had – in vain.
With this Women’s Floor final, Simone Biles closed shop with five medals: four Gold and one Silver. Her iron will to protect her winnings was evident.
WOMEN’S TEAM
THE UNITED STATES, OF COURSE!
Upon consulting the results of this final, anyone will come to the same conclusion. The US Women’s team has been lining up podiums (six) and victories (four) since 1991, with two exceptions: 1997 and 1999! The group’s dominating presence is one of the things that poses a threat to its adversaries.
The crowds of spectators in Nanning were understandably waiting for their own gymnasts to triumph that night. But it appeared to be too much to ask of the young team, who appeared overcome by their enthusiastic, well-prepared and exceedingly masterful adversaries.
Russia (Bronze) and Romania (at the foot of the podium) were lacking in maturity. A new generation of young gymnasts, going full steam ahead, discovered just how much distance separates them from the Americans.
And still… we wish them so much luck!
* CONCLUSION *
WE WERE WELCOME!
The gymnasts and their delegations will remember Nanning for years to come for several reasons, notably the quality of installations and lodging, transportation punctuality, security, medical services and spectator enthusiasm.
But there is a common denominator between everything that was said once the closing ceremony was over, one key element, the drop of oil that kept a mighty machine running: the volunteers. All of them were exemplary.
Thanks to those individuals, the Chinese Gymnastics Association and its President, Luo Chaoyi, everyone who participated in these exceptional world championships took away from Nanning 2014: ‘we were welcome’!
STATISTICS
Total federations: 73
Total gymnasts: 593
Total Men’s federations: 67
Total Men’s teams: 48
Total Men’s individuals: 31
Total Men: 343
Average age: 22.88 years
Total Women’s federations: 60
Total Women’s teams: 38
Total Women’s individuals: 35
Total Women: 250
Average age: 18.97 years
Men’s Oldest
Naoya Tsukahara (JPN) 38 years
Men’s Youngest
Adria Vera Mora (ESP) 19 years
Women’s Oldest
Bibiana Maria Velez Alzate (COL) 31 years
Women’s Youngest
Ashton Taylor Locklear (USA) 17 years
MEDAL STANDINGS
BACK TO QUICK NAV
NEXT UP: THE LONGINES CELEBRATES ELEGANCE AND PERFORMANCE...
| Rk | Federation | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| 2 | China | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 3 | Korea (PRK) | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Japan | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 5 | Ukraine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | Russia | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 7 | Hungary | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Romania | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 10 | Brazil | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 11 | Croatia | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 12 | Great Britain | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 13 | France | 0 | 0 | 1 |
FULL VIDEO REPLAYS
Mens Team Final
Women's Team Final
Men's All Around Final
Women's All-around Final
Men's Apparatus Finals Day One
Men's Apparatus Finals Day Two
Women's Apparatus Finals Day One
Women's Apparatus Finals Day Two2
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
Mens Team Final
Women's Team Final
Men's All Around Final
Women's All-around Final
Men's Apparatus Finals Day One
Men's Apparatus Finals Day Two
Women's Apparatus Finals Day One
Women's Apparatus Finals Day Two
FIG World of Gymnastics, Avenue de la Gare 12, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland
Tel. +41 21 321 55 10
Fax: +41 21 321 55 19
IMPRESSUM
World of Gymnastics is an official publication of the International Gymnastics Federation – FIG. Three issues per year.
Publisher: FIG C 2015
Publication Director: André F. Gueisbuhler.
FIG Editing: Philippe Silacci; Meike Behrensen; Blythe Lawrence; William Dalè.
Production: SportBusiness Communications
Design and build: Andy Medley
Nr 75 will be released in June 2015
Editorial deadline: 1st April 2015
The reproduction of any articles, information, pictures must be approved in writing prior to publication.
Photography: FIG Official Photographer Volker Minkus, fig-photos.com, IOC.
Translation: Allison Zurfluh, Corinne Gaudefroy.
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