Since the start in 1934, now in 2009 the women have their 32nd artistic gymnastics World Championships. Titles will be handed out in the all-around and in the event finals. Like also in the men's field, no team competition will take place.

The 147 participating gymnasts come from 55 nations.
It is good to see that 63% of them, 97 gymnasts, will show a full all-around...

Among the favorites for the all-around title certainly can be found Russia's Ksenia SEMENOVA . Her team-mate Ksenia AFANASYEVA would also have been a medal contender but had to withdraw at short notice due to back problems. At the 2009 European Championships the two Russian gymnasts won the gold and silver medal. Another favorite for an all-around medal is the Olympic bronze medalist YANG Yilin from China. According to the entry list for these World Championships she became 17 on August 25th...
It remains to be seen if Ariella KAESLIN, the surprising bronze medalist from the 2009 European Championships will manage to win another all-around medal. She is one of the most experience gymnast in this all-around field, together with Daria ZGOBA (UKR) the only gymnast from Aarhus 2006 who again participates on all four apparatus.

Already at the European Championships in Milan the new formation of the teams could be seen. 15 of the ECh's finalists again compete in the all-around now in London. Missing are the 6th- ranked Aagje VAN WALLEGHEM - Belgium leaves out these women's World Championships completely! Germany's Anja BRINKER, 8th in Milan, will only competed on uneven bars; the British star Elisabeth TWEDDLE on uneven bars and floor.
About the possible medal contenders for the event finals can be seriously talked about only after the podium training and qualification. Certainly with Kaeslin (vault), Tweddle (uneven bars and floor) as well as Demiantchuk (beam) all 2009 European Champions and, except for Afanasyeva, Berger (both RUS) and Ferrari (ITA) also all remaining medalists have their chances for a medal again.