The last 2 weeks were the most incredible, emotional, nerve-wrecking, and eye opening weeks of my life! I really couldn't be happier with myself. I walked in to Visa Championships back in August just hoping to make the World Team. I never would have imagined I would be this successful at my first World Championships! I knew that if I had a good meet at prelims that I would advance to the All-Around Finals and with a little luck and the routine of my life I could advance to the Pommel Horse Final. And after the meet was said and done not only did I advance to both finals but I was in 3rd all-around! In the last 4 years I have probably only competed all-around a handful of times and there I was, in contention for an all-around medal at World Championships. It truly was and still is an incredible feeling!
In the All-Around Final I competed well and was very happy with my performance. By no means was I flawless but I didn’t have any major mistakes the whole meet. The judges took .6 away from my start value on Rings which really hurt my score. But really my only regret is I wish I had done a better Parallel Bars routine. I was a little nervous going into it and then I slipped on one of my first skills …after that it was pretty shaky the whole way through. But I’m glad I was able to put it behind me and still finish up the meet to the best of my abilities, doing my high bar routine pretty much as good as I could do it. I walked out placing 7th in the world and I really couldn’t have been happier!
After the All-Around Finals I really didn’t feel any pressure. I had pommel horse finals left but I really just wanted to enjoy it and embrace the fact that I was even in the final. I didn’t even get the slightest bit nervous until about 3 minutes before I raised my hand for the routine. I was able to deal with the nerves though and hit a pretty good set. While of course a medal would have been nice, I was still absolutely thrilled with my 5th place finish.
As I said earlier, Worlds was a huge eye opener for me. I guess competing among the best guys in the world will do that to you. For years I have looked up to a lot of those guys and not only was I able to hang with the best of the best, but I was beating some of them! I am certainly more confident than ever and I have come to realize that I am one of the best gymnasts in the world. I was in the biggest pressure situation I’ve ever been in and did 13 routines without a fall. I think I came out of this meet much better than I went into it…I think I finally learned how to compete better and more consistently. I can’t wait to get back on the international scene and be even more successful!
One comment to "World Championships Summary and Thoughts"
U have always been the best of the best--it's just that a Worlds u finally got to show it!
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