I know it's not the most difficult routine (upgrade Kyla!) but Kyla has great form and girl can hit a handstand like no other, I noticed that in person when I watched her at this years SC.
9. Ivana Hong
I know she hardly gets an air on her releases and that the international judges pretty much hated the uniqueness of this routine but honestly in a sport that has lost some individuality recently, I found it refreshing.
8. Hollie Vise
Poor Hollie was totally screwed over in 2004 but at least she got her moment to shine at the 2003 worlds. Her form is amazing and she works the apparatus so easily.
7. Shannon Miller
Why can no one glue their legs together like this anymore? Seriously, finding a gymnast who can do a cast to handstand without leg separations these days is super rare. I love, love, Shannon's clean lines and form, right down to her toes.
6. Terin Humphrey
I love Terin, and I love that she earned a surprise silver medal for this in Athens. Clean, sharp and beautifully executed.
6. Mo Huilan
Mo's signature release is AMAZING and the fact that it is now being brought back by Yao Jinan makes me so happy!
5. Beth Tweddle
Beth's bar routines have been eye popping from the moment she stepped onto the scene, chalked full of release moves and more daring than anyone else in her field.
3. Aliya Mustafina
I love Aliya, I love how she came back from injury and is carrying the Russian team through some valley's. I was so happy she won gold in London for this.
2. Chellsie Memmel
I love the ending to Chellsie's bar set, so cool and unique. She continually performed well on this event, even when injured.
1. He Kexin
I'm so happy that He won gold in 2008 instead of her (overrated) close competitor (shall not name names). Love the elegant look she has and her great form.
Sorry for posting this so late but hurray for Aly and Simone! As stressful as it was to watch Aly make that mistake on bars, it did give some suspense to the whole watching experience that hasn't been there yet. In the end, it was pretty obvious that Musty couldn't overcome her balk on beam.
I'm sure I'm not in the minority when I say that I was crying right along with Aly after her FX. Gahhh, it was so beautiful! And then when she said to Mihai, "That was my best double turn ever!", I'd literally been thinking the same thing. She worked so hard and this is what it looks like to have that pay off. Being second in the world! I've been a big fan of Aly's for a long time. We're teh same age so I guess I live vicariously through her haha. Her and Simone are such genuine, classy young ladies and I'm so happy to see them reach such success.
Now, I love Aliya but I do agree with those who thing that Shang should have gotten bronze. On a good day, Aliya would have the edge over her in difficulty from VT but this was not a good day for Musty. She opened the door with beam and Shang should have been able to walk through it but was definitely underscored on that day, as well as previously in the games. I'm excited for the day when China can be scored fairly and make podiums again.
Alyssa Bauman: Only girl besides Desch who I think could be chosen as alternate but I still doubt it. No finals for this one
Simone Biles: If she competes like her usual self, she has that second all around title in the bag. Same with vault and floor really. She could easily sneak in a medal on beam too.
Madison Desch: I think she'll probably end up as alternate, unless one of the others is hurt or performs badly in training.
Madison Kocian: Maybe (but probably not) a medal in bar finals but that all depends on how the other athletes perform. Hopefully she stays healthy but I have a bad feeling.
Ashton Locklear: I imagine she'll compete just bars and do a decent job but not the amazing routine we saw at Classics. Definitely a medal for her if she hits.
Mykayla Sinner: She'll make the vault and possibly floor final. I hope to the heavens that she doesn't medal on floor because her form is truly atrocious. She most likely has the vault silver or bronze unless she messes up...but come on, that Cheng?? It's an insult to Cheng Fei, it truly is. Kyla Ross: She won't do her upgraded pass on floor to play it safe. All-around silver is possible for her again but both WOGA's and Locklear can challenge her bars, not to mention Queen Aliya. She could make finals in all but vault and floor but I don't see her being quite as successful as last year. Overall All-Around: Gold and silver/bronze Team: Gold or silver Vault: 2 medals Bars: 1 medals Beam: 1-2 medals Floor: 1 medal
