13. October 2002  
London, Great Britain  
Artistic Gymnastics

Olympic silver medallist Kohei UCHIMURA wins mens qualification

At the first day of these Worlds altogether 250 gymnasts, representing 69 nations are fighting in three subdivisions for the all-around qualification (AA final at Thursday) , but also for the finals at all the six apparatuses at the upcoming weekend in the O2 arena in London.
After subdivision I subdivision with the hopeful young British Daniel KEATINGS, from USA national Vice-champion Timothy MCNEILL, the Japanese Kazuhito TANAKA lead one of the favourite Maxim DEVIATOVSKI (RUS), but after the third round Kohei UCHIMURA from Japan took the lead...

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* SUBDIVISION IThe unlucky bloke from Stuttgart 2007, ... who had refrained from continuing, due to all the criticism he got for his fall at the bars ... proved an acceptable, if not (yet) completely faultless all-around competition führt and leads the field with 89,350 points.
In second position at the moment is the US American Vice Champion from Dallas, Timothy MCNEILL (88,775), in front of the British newcomer dem Daniel KEATINGS (88,400), who could place himself in front of the, next to one of the favorites Kohei Uchimura, second Japanese Kazuhito TANAKA (86,650) - who had falled twice on the floor and even got off the pommel horse...!
Roman GISI (85,475) - once trained by Dieter Hofmann in the north Swiss Gymnastics Center NKL Liestal, completed an respectable all-around competition, even if not completely perfect, which will being him into the all-arounde final together with the only German in the all-around competition, Marcel NGUYEN (84,900), who was strong on the floor but had to get off the horse once involuntarily...
But more than these six gymnasts should not be considered surely qualified for the Allrounder Final, before the following two groups have performed!
Current top scores at the apparatus achieved by...:
- on the floor the Chilean Tomas GONZALES, as the only one who got over 15 points: 15,575;
- on the pommel horse: Tim MCNEILL (USA) with15,350; Daniel POPESCU (ROU) obtained 14,500;
- at the rings: the Chinese YANG, Minyoung achieved a tremendous 15,900, in front of the French Samir AIT SAID with 15,350;
- at the vaults: so far the days best score again by the Chilenen Tomas GONZALES (16,250, followed by the front runner DEVIATOVSKI (16,0250).
- at the parallel bars: WANG, Guanyin (CHN) celebrated Asian parallel bar artistics (15.800), as did TANAKA (15,600);
- and at the high bar: KIM, Kyong Hak from North Korea was until now, the only competitor with 15 point: 15,000, Deviatkovski achieved 14,725.
... but in the course of the day, much is yet to happen!

 

 

*  SUBDIVISION IIAgain a great regret that the modern all-around gymnast Fabian HAMBUECHEN was missing...because: what a duel it would have been against the Japanese Olympic silver medal winner Kohei UCHIMURA, since he too embodies a hopeful synthesis of all-around qualities and also chances of being in the finals on three, four apparati:
UCHIMURA was the first to pass the 90 point limit and now leads with  90,925 points, in front of Deviatovski, McNeill, Keatings and now the US American all-around champion Jonathan HORTON (88,000) in 5th place, followed by the  European junior champion of 2008 from the Ukraine, Mykola KUKSENKOV (87,750) the Israeli of Russian origin, Alexander SHATILOV (87,425) and the second Russian, Juri RYASANOV (86,950).

...the single gymnasts:
The Dutch Olympics hoh bar finalst Epke ZONDERLAND presented himself well who will most probably reach the finals in high bar and parallel bars.
A mature Marian DRAGULESCU marked the temporary maximum points on the floor and at the vaults! Especially on the floor we can look forward to a spectacular final between him and the Olympic winner ZOU, Kai (CHN) and the Japanese UCHIMURA, who, all three have presented high fifteener points.
ZHANG, Hongtao (CHN) embodies brilliant Chinese pommel horse artistics and is aiming to continue the high capability of the Chineses at this apparatus (16,275), followed by Europe's pommel horse star, Kristian BERCZI (16.100).
The highest respect belongs also to the only active President of a national Gymnastics Federation (Bulgaria), the Bulgarian constant achiever Iordan IOVTCHEV, who has taken part in the world championships many, many a times, who, just behind the Chinese YANG, Minyoong  has managed to get the second highest result of 15,600 until now.

>> Temporarily Standing of Qualification

 

 

* SUBDIVISION III... no great changes concerning the all-around constellation.
The Swiss champion Niki BOESCHENSTEIN achieved a good six round and finished off his competition with a clean "Roche" (16,125).
After a good high bar practice, Philipp BOY from Cottbuss unfortunately fell on the bar departure (14.100), Slovenian veteran Aljaz PEGAN on the other hand, did his inflight element, the "Pegan sault" directly in the giant circle with1 1/2 turns and ended it with a superbly high tripple somersault (15,475).
The Italian Olympic champion from 2004 Athens, Igor CASSINA, was also good on the high bar with his element, the "Cassina", with Kolman-sault and stretched Kovac sault (15,500).
The German Matthias FAHRIG should have reached the floor final with strong 15,525 points (currently 5th place), but he is also in the vault final (7th).
As expected, many jump points have accumulated together over 16.000 to an exclusive final field...!
Very nice the so called "Malteser" on the rings, by the French PINHEIRO, - practically the reverse swallow, a super strength display of super class(15.625).
Champion of parallel bars Mija PETKOVSEK (SLO) lost his chance of being in the final due to his fall on the bars (departure: only 14,225).
All in all there were many mistakes and insecurities on departures and landings, which are, according to comments of various parties involved, not only the fault of the athletes...!

Total impression:
One year after the Olympic Games in Beijing, one can already feel - as was the case in Melbourne in 2005 -  the lack of various international leading gymnasts. Others were/are just not optimally prepared at this early stage. On the other hand, these are perfectly just decisions, to give young gymnasts the opportunity to be part of their first world championship and to establish themselves, step by step, in the neu Olympic cycle.
After 12 hours of competition on such a qualifying day, the F.I.G. and its technical committee should be advised to what extent, at the current mode, it is wise to allow 250 (!) athletes to the world title championships. One should definitely consider thinking about continental or other pre-decisions...!

* Final Standing, Qualification
1. Uchimura (JPN) 90,925
2. Deviatovski (RUS) 89,350
3. Mc Neill (USA) 88,775
4. Keatings (GBR) 88,400
5. Horton (USA) 88,000
6. Kuksenov (UKR) 87,750
7. Shatilov (ISR) 87,425
8. Ryazanov (RUS) 86,950
9. Thomas (GBR) 86,800
10. Tanaka (JPN) 86,650
11. Wammes (NED) 86,300

15. Gisi (SUI) 85,475 19. Marcel Nguyen (GER) 84,900 22. Böschenstein (SUI) 84,425 27. Deurloo (NED) 35. Leimlehner (AUT) 57. Decker (AUT) ;

>> Final Standing Qualification