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Melbourne hits the gym (20 May)
 Australia’s rising stocks in women’s gymnastics will be on show in Melbourne this week, with a talented trio of performers looking to test their improving status on the international stage against world champions China.
Before the clash with China on Sunday, Commonwealth Games all-around gold medallist Chloe Sims (QAS/AIS), team gold medallist Hollie Dykes (AIS) and reigning national all-around champion Dasha Joura (WAIS/AIS) will battle it out for the all-around title tomorrow.
After settling that score the trio are expected to head Australia’s line up against world champions China in the head-to-head apparatus challenge on Sunday.
Joura’s star status already has gymnastics experts taking note of the talented 17-year-old following her 5th place finish in the all-around final at last year’s world championships in Denmark.
Busily juggling Year 12 studies with her hectic gymnastics schedule, Joura will start favourite for the women’s title, however she is not feeling any added pressure to win back-to-back all-aroundtitles.
“All I’m focussing on is quality and getting into the top 12 (to advance to the next round of selection for the world championships).”
“There are a lot of girls competing here this weekend and everyone has their strengths. It really depends on who hits on the day and who has the whole package.”
“The next couple of months I just want to build up consistency. Everything I do is aimed towards the world champs and qualifying for the Olympics.”
It’s a view shared by Australian women’s head coach Peggy Liddick, who is intent on ensuring Australia stays within reach of a coveted team medal at next year’s Olympic Games – after finishing 6th at last year’s worlds. Liddick’s most pressing task is formulating her squad for this year’s world championships in Stuttgart, Germany, which doubles as the Olympic qualifier.
“I’m here checking who’s prepared and who’s not,” Liddick said.
“For those who want to go to the next phase of selection, they need to prove they are at the next level. I’m only taking the 12 who are the most prepared.”
The squad will be cut down to six and the team will take on Japan in Brisbane in July, prior to departing for Stuttgart at the end of August. The world championships are an essential part of Australia’s Beijing campaign, with only the top 12 teams in Stuttgart qualifying for the Olympics.
Competing against world champions China is a huge boost for Australia’s campaign.
“China will definitely be bringing their A-Game. I’ll know where we are and what we need to do once we see China in action,” explained Liddick.
This week’s competition also marks the return of two talented pocket dynamos – Victoria’s Ashleigh Brennan and Queensland’s Naomi Russell.
Both girls have not competed since the 2006 Commonwealth Games due to injury and will be looking to impress selectors. Members of the gold-medal winning Australian team in Melbourne, Brennan also collected an individual silver medal on floor and Russell the bronze on vault at the Commonwealth Games.
Dykes is also returning after a recent run of injuries and Liddick will be taking great interest in the performances of all three girls.
“This week will be a good test for them. Before I pick my squad I need to know if they are capable of pushing through their injuries.”
World championship representatives Georgia Bonora (VIS/AIS) and Olivia Vivian (WAIS/AIS) will also be in the mix for selection in the Australian team to take on China on Sunday.
Thursday 24 May
Women’s Team (12pm – 2pm)
Men’s Team and All Around competition (7pm – 10pm)
Friday 25 May
Women’s All Around and Apparatus Finals and Australia versus China women’s team competition (7pm – 9:30pm)
Saturday 26 May
Men’s Apparatus Finals and Australia v China men’s team competition (2pm – 5pm)
Sunday 27 May
International Apparatus Challenge - Australia v China (12pm – 3:30pm)
Source: Gymnastics Australia
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