2013 Europeans analysis – #1 Aliya Mustafina
Aliya Mustafina is definitely the gymnast to watch in Moscow. The star of the last Olympic cycle, Aliya, is going to start a new journey, aiming the Rio Games, right on home soil in Russia. Coming after the Olympic Games is not an easy job, not even for Mustafina who seemed to struggle a little bit during the spring competitions, but we all know she is a fighter and a strong competitor. Today she may struggle or have a bad day, but tomorrow she can shine like nothing has happened. Europeans haven’t been so successful or lucky for Mustafina until now. Yes, she won some medals but no individual titles yet. Also in 2011 she faced a difficult moment right at the beginning of the competition when she torn her ACL on vault. So it will be really interesting to see how things will turn around for her this time.
All Around and Uneven Bars seem to be the events where she can get some medals, but we shouldn’t take beam out of discussion. Her BB routine is one of the highlights of the year because of those unique and interesting combinations (eg: switch half + Mostepanova + double turn). Her problems come on floor where she struggles big time. I really don’t think she is ready on this event. She looks out of shape, out of breathe and in pain. Well, this pain can be the key element of her performances. We don’t know how serious it is, but as I said before she is a fighter and very ambitious, so I’m sure she can manage it quite ok, as long as her health condition is not in danger…hopefully!
STRENGHTS: a great competitor, her UB routine can weight a lot in the AA competition. Also she is a strong personality which can give her an advantage in front of others. AA is her favourite event and she always gives 100% when this title is at stake.
WEAKNESSES: inconsistent on beam, not in shape on floor.
OPPORTUNITIES: the fact that the competition is being held in Russia, this could give her the energy to fulfil her goals even though she is not in shape.
THREATS: the pain in her leg/knee, this could really affect her performances. Also she will face some real competition from the Romanian Larisa Iordache and also from her fellow Russian -Anastasia Grishina.
And now the question….is Mustafina going to rule the competition once again?
Photo: Inside Gymnastics
– Mihai
Ksenia Afanasyeva will also be a threat for her.
@LaVoix: Please, I’m pretty sure Ksenia won’t risk competing the Amanar just now, since she’s been training it for less than 5 months, and she mentioned she only landed it in a pit. Even so she’s weak on bars, terribly inconsistent, and has low difficulty. She is no threat whatsoever.