TBT: 2010 Japan Cup

I was feeling nostalgic last night and went on a viewing spree of mostly 2007-2009 gymnastics meets, whence I came upon this jewel of a competition: its the 2010 Japan Cup featuring first year seniors Dementyeva, Mustafina, and Nabieva. 

After I went through the videos, my overwhelming feeling was of a profound sadness for the anticlimactic career the future had in store for Anna. I have to be honest, I always knew she was good, but there's something about going back and rewatching, knowing everything that's to come Russia's way, that makes me suddenly realize just what a gem she truly was! Her infectious exuberance, so dynamic yet graceful, and expressive dancing are the things I don't see any of the Russians emulating today (except Dmitrieva, for sure). She had a big mistake in this routine, neglecting to do the memmel turn, and her landings aren't as sharp as they would be by World's, but I think a great routine is one that thrills even when there's still polishing to be done. Here's her FX:

                  

I am aware she went on to become European AA champion so some good things have happened to her but I always assumed she would find even more success. She was heralded as one of Alexandrov's favourites because of her work ethic and, knowing his standards, and seeing her potential, I felt sure she was going to be a force to be reckoned with this quad. I'm still not quite sure what happened to her. I know injury played a part in her post-London opportunities, but it seemed she was not liked by some influential people, and that might have affected her placement on teams. But I don't know for sure what was behind her snubbing after 2011 Euros.*

At this meet Nabs tried to gain some consistency with her eponymous skill on the UB, but to no avail. It was almost shocking when she performed it (I forgot to expect it), and seeing as I'm not in love with the present Russians having identical routines, this one put a smile on my face. It's bad enough that Russia is currently being criticized for blandness- which I think is unfair*- but I agree that it's unacceptable to see the same routine construction (right down to the full twisting dismount) being performed by nearly every girl on the team, the only difference perhaps being the release element. Here's Nabieva's explosive UB routine: 

                                                    

Aliya contributed three events in the TF and performed in the AA on Day 2. On BB i feel like her natural elegance is somewhat at odds with her hesitancy and stiff composure on beam. She does a lot of fancy hand choreography but she goes through them so mechanically and very fast, as if shes racing to get back to focusing on the next skill. However, out of all the improvements she's made since London, I really think Aliya has matured most as as a beam worker. She has a tempo that is like a lazy river: calm, graceful, and gentle moving, confident that she will get to her final destination (that is off the beam lol) in one piece. Let's compare: 

                                                
                                                     
                                                        or

                                                

Notice the end choreography in particular: it's slower, done more delicately and flows perfectly into the setup of the dismount. #QUEEN

Aliya did one of her best DTY's at this competition. It has really nice leg form and the block is very straight coming off the table. She didn't stick the landing but in the air this vault is superior to anything she's doing these days. Yet it scored 14.6. Amazing how thoroughly the judges can do their job when you don't have a reputation yet ;)  

                                                    

This was a nice trip down memory lane, made more gratifying knowing that delicious upgrades were coming that would clinch Russia's first ever Team Gold. To see all the videos please click here. 

*It was strange to see her re-emerge for Universiade in 2013 then vanish completely after that. Not even a word from the Rodionenko's  about why she was gone.

*The routines the Russians are doing now were considered very groundbreaking just last quad. Connecting the high-to-low-to-high-bar transfer was just one of their many innovations. Then they upped the ante by creating a four, and sometimes five, series sequence all in connection (inbar to release to low bar to high bar). But now the routine has become so standard that Huang Huidan was called China's Aliya Mustafina by CCTV in 2013 because she basically did Aliya's Olympic routine with the addition of two pirouettes.