finished with an especially well done full twisting Comaneci. Kathy's effort was one of her finest, showing nice giant work to a clean Delchev, and finishing with the only double twisting flyaway in the meet. In these finals, bars was a strong event for our three USA gymnasts. Few new skills and connections were noticed during this event. Elements of high interest which were performed and notably executed would include Ma's full twisting clear hip circle finishing in a dead handstand, plus her full twisting single bar hecht-back dismount is always amazing to witness. Davydova performed a bfeathtaking giant swing reverse hecht on high bar which was awesome! Also of note was Yongyan Chen's one and a half twisting stomach whip which was completed above high bar level. Typical Russian composition was not daring. Filatova's routine which received a 9.85, showed only an admirable beginning which included a giant swing, giant swing to Delchev combination, and concluded with five "A" ,e lements in a series (one of which was a straddle sole-circle on the low bar) and concluded with a standing layout full-twist from the high bar. Balance Beam: Balance beam proved to be the least aggressive competitive event of the day. Kathy and Julianne performed quite
(Above left) The Soviet Union 's Maria Filatova ..A two-time USSR Olympian, Filatova placed second in the women 's all-around, the highest she has ever placed in seven y ears of international competition. As is Kathy Johnson, Filatova is 22 years old. (Below left) Russia 's Natalia Jlienko failed to qualify for all-around finals after winning the compulsories. Falls in optional beam and bars dropped her to sixth AA in Competition I. (Right) Maxi Gnauck, alike Jlienko, also failed to qualify when an ankle injury forced her to withdraw from Competition I optional floor. Maxi was the favorite to win the World All-Around before the competition began in Moscow. (Below) Olympic All-Around Champion Elena Davydova was the AA leader going into the finals, but a fall on her beam dismount allowed teammates Bicherova and Filatova to finish one-two, as she placed third overall.
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USGF GYMNASTICS MAR/APR '82