|
US women lead at gymnastic worlds
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-24 14:11
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - United States pair Nastia Liukin and Chellsie Memmel
posted the top two scores after the third qualification round for the womens'
all round final at the world gymnastics championships on Wednesday.
Anastasia Liukin of
the United States competes in a qualifying session of the Women's Beam at
the 38th Artistic Gymnastic World Championships at Rod Laver Arena in
Melbourne, November 23, 2005. [AP] | Liukin,
widely considered to be the person to beat for the all around title, posted
37.424 over the four rotations to just pip her compatriot, who had scored 37.412
in the first sub-division earlier.
France's Isabelle Severino was in third on 36.861. The three were the only
gymnasts to score above 9.00 on all four apparatuses.
"I felt really good out there, it was a good first day," said Memmel.
"Overall, I'm pretty happy, I just need to perfect things a little better.
"I'm just going to relax and rest up, maybe watch the other sessions, but the
main thing is to work on my routines."
China's Athens Olympics all around bronze medallist Zhang Nan was in danger
of missing out on the final after falling from the parallel bars and then
stopping during the routine to score just 7.400.
She recorded an 8.975 on the vault and is to complete her qualification on
the floor and beam in the fourth sub-division later on Wednesday. The top 24
qualify for the all around final on Friday.
Brazil's 2003 floor champion Daiane Dos Santos produced a scintillating
performance to record the highest score in her best discipline with 9.550.
|
