Team Romania - (Worlds) Qualification Videos - Vault and Bars

Vault

Ana Porgras (13.90/5.0)


Diana Chelaru (14.633/5.8)


Amelia Racea (14.4/5.8)


Raluca Haidu (14.366/5.8)


Catalina Ponor (14.766/5.8)


Uneven Bars
Diana Bulimar (12.433/5.4)


Raluca Haidu (13.833/6.0)


Amelia Racea (13.666)


Ana Porgras (12.666/6.0)


Diana Chelaru (13.533/5.5)


Over-scored... nothing really
Underscored: plenty... absolutely all the vaults. One question: what was wrong with Ana Porgras's vault?
The highlights: Diana Blimar's UB dismount, Pitic nailing all combinations,
My gymnast of the second half: Raluca Haidu.

What did you think of the scores?

Team Romania - (Worlds) Qualifications videos - Beam and Floor

The qualifications videos have finally arrived (thanks to piibuna on youtube). I was extremely curious how harsh were Romania really judged. After seeing the videos, I can say that they were sometimes underscored, rarely over scored and most of the times very fairly scored.

Balance Beam
Amelia Racea (14.733/ 6.1 D)


Diana Bulimar (14.066/6.3)


Catalina Ponor (15.00/6.3)


Ana Porgras (14.4/6.5)


Raluca Haidu (14.533/6.2)


Floor Exercise

Raluca Haidu (13.733/5.5)


Diana Chelaru (14.233/ 5.8)


Ana Porgras (13.866/5.6)


Diana Bulimar (14.4/5.8)


Catalina Ponor (14.2/5.8)


- The most over-scored in this batch was Raluca Haidu's BB;
- The most under-scored was Diana Bulimar's floor;
- The highlights were Raluca's and Amelia's opening passes on BB as well as Diana Bulimar's BB routine (except for the fall);
- My favorite gymnast so far - Diana Bulimar.

2011 Europeans Qualifications

Ama Racea  (photo source here)

It was an awkward day for the Romanians. It started in a disastrous way with Ama Racea falling on the uneven bars dismount (oh that double front, I hate that skill, I don't understand why people use it!) and it ended with the same Amelia qualifying for the Vault Finals.

So here are top five strangest things that happened today:

5: Ana Porgras got a 13.575 on UB for a routine with a D score of 6 while Diana Chelaru got a 13.65 for a routine out of 5.7

4: Diana Chelaru - turned out to be the top AA qualifier for Romania (3rd)

3: Amelia Racea qualified for the Vault finals (instead of Diana Chelaru)

2: No Romanian in the Beam finals (!!)

1: Sandra Izbasa -top qualifier for the Vault finals

the second strangest fact could have easily been the number one but I wanted to keep things on a positive note ;)

So if I ever see Bellu or Lucian Sandu in Berlin, I want to ask them what exactly does Ana Porgras' new UB routine lead to... Then, how come no one qualified for the beam finals, once the best event by far for the Romanians ... and how  come now we have two weak events instead of one (that happen to also be the highest scoring ones).

I am sure there are answers for this half  failure... Europeans are just a stage in the B&B big plan. They have never really made a purpose out of this meet. Historically, some of the worst meets Romania had were at Euros (3rd place with the team in 2000 behind Ukraine, the "scratched" one from 2002 when they only sent Petrovschi are a few examples that come to mind) but it wouldn't have been that terrible if Ana had stayed on that beam or if Ama wouldn't have had such a floor routine.

As others have pointed out, maybe this also happened because it was an individual event, the qualifications format is weird and also because these two competed in the first subdivision. a few hours later Ama's beam E score would have been considerably higher, the same for Ana's bars.

I hope it was just a bad day. Amelia at least can still prove herself...

But qualifications are over. Many competition days are ahead of us:

Friday's All Around finals with Chelaru and Amelia Racea

Saturday - Vault with Izbasa and Racea

Sunday - Floor with Izbasa and Chelaru

PS: Look at Sandra's vault WOW!

Thanks eamyy !

LIVE from Izvorani!

Bellu and his team amaze me! 
The constant updates from Izvorani were among the highlights of the winter for us gymnastics fans. But what happened today is even better: they let the journalists in the gym for an entire training session. GSP was there and aired it live on their website. 
eamyy  managed to catch the last part and upload it on youtube:






ot watch it HERE and HERE 

There are more photos in Prosport

Chelaru "I have a slightly upgraded routine on uneven bars and I tried to clean-up my vaults but I did not succeeded to, as much as I wanted, but by 2011 Worlds, I hope everything will be alright. I am saving the best for Worlds.. I have almost the same routine as in Rotterdam."


Porgras: "I will have the same routines as I had at Worlds, without risking anything. Until 2011 Worlds there is still plenty of time to perfect certain elements. 
And many interviews and articles in Gazeta Sporturilor.

TVR goodies

Romanian gymnasts are back from Paris, some more confident, others eager for a rematch:



Bellu:
About Sandra: "it's good she made an impression, she can be one of the favorites for the title at the Europeans"

about Ana "A wake-up call for the ones that were still under the influence of what happened at Worlds- was necessary."

Thank you eamyy!!
You can find this video and many other interesting clips on this channel.

more from Romania

Not a day without interesting new things from Izvorani, I say! 

Watch HERE the video posted by Mihai on youtube.

The footage seems to be from the warm-up, not the verification they were talking about yesterday. However, there are interesting moments: 

-Izbasa's lovely new vault - round-off half on front laid-out with half twist;

-Amelia Racea's new beam acrobatic combination (aerial cartwheel to side somi);

- plus the Bellu's word of the day, which is continuous training. It's interesting how all the girls say it "bit by bit the progress starts to show" - Diana Chelaru; "we worked more, without breaks, we worked continuously" - Amelia Racea; "there is a big difference between continuous training and working for five months than taking five months off" - Ana Porgras.

New floor routine for Izbasa and other great news from Romania

Thank you, Eamyy!

Even if they didn't get to show their routines in an official meet this week-end, Romanian gymnasts had a surprise test, replicating the normal competition conditions: different gym, new apparatuses and little time to adapt to the novelty.

You can see by the seriousness in Bellu's eyes that he is working hard on the psychological side... The message is clear... Work had, don't take anything for granted... he declared  "We are not going to the European Championships to try to see if maybe things turn out ok and leave things to chance"
The gymnasts seem much more businesslike, ready for competitions. Porgras has matured a bit  "I am very glad that there is a sort of a competition between us, to see who will make the team"

Diana C.:"I want to win medals but most of all I wish to remain healthy and to get the chance of competing, and do my routines the way I do them at home"

Amelia Racea looks a bit healthier and much cleaner as well "I feel I am more prepared than before and I feel more confident"

As per Sandra's new routine... I am a bit disappointed by the music, I mean everybody has done the tango thing over the past 1-2 years. At the same time I am confident it will be a beautiful one and a "work off art" as Bellu said.

Izvorani Training Camp: In the Holiday Spirit

These are taken from an article published in Romanian rag magazine Click. The pics are nice though the content of the article is "light". The title of the article is "The gymnasts, like princesses on New Year's Eve!".

the gymnasts and the most successful coach of all times next to the Christmas tree:

 And, the gymnasts are (from left): Diana Trenca, Amelia Racea, Larisa Iordache, Dana Andrei,
Ana Porgras, Diana Rusu, Raluca Haidu, Beatris Margarit, Georgiana Gheorghe

It seems that they were allowed to enjoy more the "holiday atmosphere" than the specific foods. Euros are just three months from now... we can't be surprised.

Diana Rusu and Ana Porgras

The author of the article notes: "Ana Porgras was in the spotlight, giving fashion advice to her younger team mates". That's what I call team spirit!

Source: Click!

Year In review for Romania

Read my article on The Couch Gymnast website!

The medal factory

or watch it on eamyy's channel on youtube.

Bellu - on the success Romania had at the Worlds

yes, it was a successful one. The first gold at the Worlds since 2001.

This is the translation of an interview from ProSport.

Do the results from the Rotterdam sketch a possible team for London?

I prefer to be reserved in assessments, as before, actually I was not very optimistic before (the Worlds) either. We had these results, it is better to consider them as a hope for the future.

What's next?

It all depends on how we will manage the success that we have achieved in a situation where these girls recovered very slowly after the injuries that kept them away from the training hall for months. We will have to see how much the gymnasts want to work, to get involved, so that we won't wait for another ten years to get a gold medal.

How do you see Ana now?

This medal is very important for her. She did a very good impression at the Worlds, she was considered the most elegant gymnast, but she also realized that in the all around, without a vault, an uneven bars and a floor routine of great difficulty, it's hard to get a medal. It's very difficult to wait for medal on beam, because you never know what can happen (during EF).

Are there any chances for Romania to be on the podium at London 2012?

Do not think about such a long period, we will see what will happen in the near future, because there are some issues to be addressed. The first step to get to London will be the World Championships in Tokyo, next year.

Wasn't it difficult to watch the competition from the stands?

I did not necessarily remain in the stands because after the introductions, the girls were returning to the training hall. Someone had to be there with them and send them in the competition hall when it was time, so I did walk a lot between the training hall and the stands.

Romania: last simulated contest before Worlds

These are excerpts from an article by Mirela Neag and Roxana Fleseru published in Gazeta Sporturilor.

Octavian Bellu and Mariana Bitang have scheduled a workout yesterday in conditions of maximum stress to check their athletes' ability to concentrate. The coaches have tried to simulate the conditions under which the gymnasts will have to compete in Ahoy arena: moments of absolute silence alternated with noise and music.

At 12:00, Sandra Izbasa, Cerasela Patrascu, Ana Porgras, Diana Chelaru, Amelia Race and Gabriela Dragoi and Raluca Haidu were present in the gym at the Olympic Complex Izvorani. Wearing the new costumes, in shades of white and black, dotted here and there with silver sequins. In the first 45 minutes, the girls warmed-up in turn on all apparatuses. They started with the beam, then on vault, uneven bars and floor. In silence. From time to time you could hear the advices given by Bellu and Bitang, and the gymnasts' cheers.

At 12:45 the "competition" started. A workout under the competition conditions. Of time and stress. Each gymnast has tried to imagine how it would be in competition. They started with uneven bars. Order: Haidu, Patrascu, Racea, Porgras, Chelaru*. While they were flying between the two bars, the other girls were on floor. It was not flawless, but it's only a rehearsal. There is room for missing the bar or a fall from beam, some steps out of bounce and less than perfect landings on vault.

Mariana Bitang** has decided not to accompany the delegation at the World Championships in the Netherlands. Only Octavian Bellu will go, but he will not have access to the competition area. "We decided it was better for me to remain in Romania to take care of the girls who will not go to the Worlds and make a selection for the national team. I will focus on the girls that turn 16 in 2012, the year the London Olympics" said the coach. She also said that only three coaches have the right to enter the competition area and the coaches that have worked with the girls before their return to the National team will be there.

A world medal, especially gold, is not ready in two to three months, as we had. I hope the girls will want a medal more than their coaches. Mariana Bitang

I feel I have progressed compared to the Nationals. At the Worlds we will be a team. I hope I will be able to do my routines and to show as much confidence as possible. At this moment I am at almost 70 percent of my potential. Ana Porgras

I do not promise anything, I won't say big words. I want to make a a nice competition and on the floor, to have a very clean routine. Sandra Izbasa

We need confidence and to be able to make our best routines. This is the Worlds and there can be many surprises. Cerasela Patrascu

We do not target these Worlds, but to present ourselves well in 2011 and, and at London Olympics particularly. Hopefully though, in Rotterdam, the girls will reach top form. Octavian Bellu

It will be a great tension. It's my first World. I hope I will be able to do my best. Raluca Haidu

*Where is Gabi Dragoi? I guess this says a lot about Amelia's reserve status

** Interview translated by Fangymnastics (from Prosport)

2010 Worlds Team Contenders - Romania

This is part three of a little game I call "team contenders". Why is Romania on the mix? Because it has always been there(!); the fact that I am Romanian also helped.

The following scores are based on the the competitions they had in September and, of course, on the nominative list, so Amelia Racea was not taken into account.

So, here is what I think Bellu will do:

Vault:

Sandra Izbasa: 14.1 (5.3/8.8)

Cerasela Patrascu: 14 (5.3/8.7)

Diana Chelaru: 14.4 (5.8/8.6)

alternative

- Raluca Haidu 14.2 (5.8/8.4)- this may be a higher score but unless she manages to land this vault constantly, we are not going to see it in the team finals

Uneven Bars

Raluca Haidu: 14 (5.6/8.4)

Cerasela Patrascu: 14.4 (5.8/8.6)

Ana Porgras: 14.6 (6.2/8.4 or 6/8.6)

alternative

Gabriela Dragoi: 14.3 (5.9/8.4) - I put her routine as an alternative although could score better than Haidu because it has been too inconsistent

Balance Beam

Sandra Izbasa: 14.2 (5.7/8.5)

Gabriela Dragoi: 14.5 (5.9/8.6)

Ana Porgras: 15.2 (6.5/8.7)

alternatives

- Raluca Haidu 14.7 (6.2/8.5) - we might see this routine instead of Sandra's but I doubt Bellu will make such a risky move

- Cerasela Patrascu 14.4 (5.7/8.7)

Floor

Ana Porgras: 14.2 (5.6/8.6)

Diana Chelaru: 14.2 (5.7/8.5)

Sandra Izbasa: 14.5 (5.8/8.7)

Alternative

- none that can score above 14

As you may have noticed, the gymnasts I put as "alternates", could get higher scores than the ones that I think will be competing. I have seen Gabi Dragoi hitting only one UB routine this month, Raluca Haidu has big confidence issues on beam and doesn't always land her double twisting Yurchenko so I chose the safest routines over the potentially higher score but less consistent execution.

Conclusion: Romania's total can be somewhere between 172 -173.

What do you consider their true potential is?

Predictions....

(image from ProSport)

Yesterday was the day we found out how the “nominative list” looks like. In other words since yesterday we have started to make predictions, calculations and to develop strategies for the team finals. What can be more “fascinating” i dare say... you have a team of 7, cut it to 6 (well it’s already cut in the nominative list but they can modify that whenever they want) and then “all” there’s left is to calculate which three gymnasts can obtain the highest marks for each apparatus. This sophisticated process involves making assessments on the gymnasts' chances to make faultless routines at a given moment (three-four weeks from now) and your personal taste in general.

I always make an excel table and I write on each column the apparatuses then I add three names under each, then I add the marks, the total per apparatus and then the total for the entire team and I get a fabulous result, something that my team has never seen under this code of points. And I’m satisfied. After a few minutes I realize that I wasn’t thinking clearly: how can I put Cerasela Patrascu as a certainty for the beam? She fell during the EF at the Nationals and at the last meet she wasn’t even among the top three Romanians. I say to myself: this team is not good. I have to calculate again! I do it, make many changes in the team, add the marks, the total and SURPRISE!! I GET THE SAME RESULT.

I will probably do this once in a couple of days until the worlds and I will never finalize my predictions. It must be really hard to be the head coach of a team. Well, at least they have the advantage to see the gymnasts every day while we will only see them at the podium training or even worse, during the qualifications.

All I can say is that I hope Bellu doesn’t do it like I do (AS IF I could compare myself to Bellu HAHAHA)!

Finally! Some videos from Schaffhausen

Videos from this week-end's meet have been uploaded, on JoeMueVid Youtube channel. So far most of them of the German girls but we have the Uneven Bars rotation by the Romanians.

This is Raluca Haidu - she really looks much better than last week:

or here

This is Gabi Dragoi who hit the high bar with her face but was able to continue the routine (!!). It looks bad, but what a champion!

or watch here

Ana Porgras:

or here

This is Cerasela Patrascu's routine. She looks stronger and stronger:

or watch here

Switzerland, Romania and Germany friendly meet results

via Romanian Gymnastics Federation.

Pitic came second in the All Around! that is really good for her! She probably did better on beam that at the nationals. Can't wait to see some videos!

Results:

1) Romania - 229.550

2) Germany - 214.400

3) Switzerland - 210.300

All Around:

1) Ana Porgras - 58.2

2) Raluca Haidu - 57.4

3) Diana Chelaru - 57.05

4) Ariella Kaeslin - 56.35

5) Cerasela Patrascu - 54.45

Bellu's statement:

It was a friendly competition after which we can not draw many conclusions yet. However, I noticed that the girls have won in the chapters ability and amplitude, and I refer especially to Ana Porgras, Diana Chelaru and Sandra Izbasa. At the same time, it can say that, although we did not have failures, things are not yet too bright. Obviously, in terms of competition here - for example, the vaulting table was not very good so mistakes are excusable, but we have to take into account that the arbitration standards are rigorous and very high everywhere. We will also bear in mind that the errors have been related to the finesse of execution: position, angle of the body and others. However, the marks here may be a milestone, but not a really significant one. It is also important that the girls have finished the competition in perfect health condition, and that generally it is more obvious where we can do improvements. In conclusion, we took part in a useful competition, which will give us some benchmarks, but our team knows very well that the World Championships in Rotterdam will be something else.

Romanian National Team for the 2010 Worlds announced

Here are the seven that are going to be sent to Rotterdam:

Sandra Izbasa

Ana Porgras

Raluca Haidu

Cerasela Patrascu

Gabriela Dragoi

Diana Chelaru

Amelia Racea

The question remains: who's going to be the alternate. Bellu is the most excellent strategist out there... can't wait to find out who will he pick.

I would choose Gabriela Dragoi, I don't think she is ready yet.

Amelia Racea left out of the "friendly" meet with Switzerland and Germany

(Prosport)

The 6 Romanian gymnasts that will compete this week-end are:

Sandra Izbasa

Ana Porgras

Diana Chelaru

Raluca Haidu

Cerasela Patrascu

Gabriela Dragoi

The coaches that will go with them: Octavian Bellu, Lucian Sandu, Lili Cosma and Marius Vintila

So... Amelia (along with Diana Trenca and Dana Andrei) stays home with Mariana Bitang. I bet she will work a bit more on balance beam these days.