The individuals did their last two routines. Sue didn't have a successful day- dropping clubs and malting mistakes with ribbon, she scored 8.70 and 8.75. However, the crowd still liked her and appreciated her expression and flexibility . Valerie competed in hoop and gave an excellent performance, scoring the highest American score - 9.30. Clubs had several mistakes and scored only 8.70. Lydia did an excellent hoop routine and received 9.15, and clubs was consistent with an 8.9. Lydia performed beautifully overall during the competition and she came out in first place among the American girls. We completed the meet and could then enjoy the last day to watch the finals.
"Our team had the youngest average of all the teams and have much potential. " In summarizing the competition, the quality of the individual routines were much higher than that of the group routines however I wasn't impressed with the composition of the group routines as compared to the London World Championships held two years ago. The Bulgarians triumphed by winning 11 of the possible 16 medals. Russia's Irina Devina also performed brilliantly. To progress in the sport we need to have more international meets and to publicize the sport to its maximum - as well as develop the general endurance of our gymnasts. STU'ITGARD
After the World Championships, the United States Team traveled on to Stuttgard, Germany to participate in a performance. Afterwards, five of the Detroit gymnasts were invited to stay for a clinic given by the Bulgarian coach, N. Robeva, who is considered the best in the world. It was very beneficial to our girls to see the German and Bulgarian gymnasts and to show their own skills. The girls had the opportunity to speak with the Bulgarian coach and to Iliana Raeva, who is a European champion placing second in the world. To Iliana, it was a great disappointment to have lost the championship and she took it very hard. But, she was able to discuss and analyze what had happened with our girls. They learned from her how hard one has to work to win and, how to lose.
"The Bulgarians triumphed by winning 11 of the possible 16 medals." They also learned new elements and techniques and brought home a couple of new routines and music. Afterwards, Michelle Berube and Wendy Hilliard of Detroit were invited to train in Sofia, Bulgaria by the coach. Wendy stayed for three weeks and Michelle just returned on December 9. Although we were tired, it was a great experience to stay for all of us.
USA Judges Report -
Norma Zabka
It was a pleasure and an honor to represent the United States at the 1981 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Munich. Our U.S. competitors were a delight to be with all along the way. They are young ladies, who are a credit to their country, their parents, their hometown coaches, the world championship coaches, our manager, and certainly to themselves. Each country was permitted two judges, one of which would judge individual events and the other of which would judge the group event. My assignment was the individual events. Because of the number of judges, each judge was assured of judging either the preliminaries or the finals, but some, by the luck of the draw, would judge both. I was particularly pleased to draw the preliminaries, as I was anxious to be judging when all of the U.S. girls would be performing. Unfortunately, none of our girls made the finals, but I again drew to judge the finals. The superior judge for each event is USGF GYMNASTICS JAN/FEB '82
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