By Vera Atkinson FIG Editor. (sub 1 & 2)

Subdivision 1

Romania, 3 times Olympic Champions vs. China, the new power in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, World Champions in 2006. The draw couldn’t possibly have secured a more intriguing opening to the Qualification round at the National Indoor Stadium.

The well known story about the rock-steady Romanians who have always medalled at the Olympic Games since 1956 and the graceful, but lacking self confidence Chinese, twice Olympic Bronze medallists (1984 and 2000), is no more!

China (DENG Linlin, JIANG Yuyuan, YANG Yilin, HE Kexin, LI Shanshan and CHENG Fei) took the lead after the competition in the first Subdivision (248.275), leaving Romania 9.850 pts behind - a gap big enough in which to 'squeeze' all the 10 remaining Teams. The host team won all four events: most convincing on A. Bars - 62.650 : 58:450 - (difference of 4.200pts).

One of the most unexpected things to witness in the end of this morning session was the fall from the apparatus of the new 'A. Bars Wonder' HE Kexin, who, since the beginning of 2008 has earned a worldwide reputation. Her score of 15.750 is putting her in a stressful 'wait and see' situation, before it is clear whether or not she will make the Final.

As expected, CHENG Fei was the highest scorer on Vault (15.912) and on Floor (15.750) in this round; the other two top achievers also being Chinese- Yang Y., A. Bars, 16.650 and LI S. on Beam, 16.125.

Second highest scorers in this first Subdivision: Sandra Izbasa (ROM) Floor, 15.475; Steliana Nistor (ROM) - A. Bars, 15.975; A.Kaslin (SUI) Vault 14.975 and CHENG Fei Beam, 15.875.

Subdivision 2

That the USA, Olympic Champions in Atlanta 1996 and current World champions, took the lead in the second Subdivision - it was no surprise, but still they ended the Qualification in second place in the current ranking, 1.475 pts behind China.

Very unexpected to see that the USA beat China on Beam, China's main winning weapon for years (63.400: 63:050), while in return, the Chinese dominated on Floor, considered to be their 'weak apparatus' for many years - 60:750: 60.050.

This said, a fierce battle for the Gold is guaranteed in the Team Final on Wednesday, 13 August. The '3 up - 3 counts' Competition format does not leave any space for errors. The USA must be already preparing mentally for this fight: following the 'last minute injury' incurred by Samantha Peszek, they had to work three apparatus (the Vault, the Beam and the Floor) with only 4 gymnasts.

Substantial progress of the Japanese, 12th at the last World Championships! They have pulled ahead of the compact British Team (7th in Stuttgart), as a result of their excellent work on Beam, and A. Bars. Their music and choreography on Floor brought back memories of yester year.

The 2006 World and European Champion on A. Bars, Beth Tweddle (GBR), has always shown great character as a gymnast, but today she showed amazing mental and physical strength: when most gymnast would have fallen, she 'hung on' to finish her A. Bars routine.  Hopefully, by the end of the day her 15.650 score would be enough to bring her to the Final.

The 2005 World All-around Champion Chellsie Memmel (USA) also crashed on the A. Bars (15.050) with lesser chance for a Final. Very unexpected was also Liukin's fall on her dismount, but she still received the third-best 15.950 score.

Italy as a team carried too many errors and their stars Ferarri and Parolari made serious errors on Beam and A. Bars.

Subdivision 3

The much-improved Team of Russia introduced the most significant change in the current ranking by taking the third position, 2.400pts behind the USA, 5.975 ahead of Romania and 8.950 ahead of Australia, in fifth.

They were most impressive on A. Bars; second highest total of 61.775 for the day (following China's 62.650); with 16.475 achieved by the 2007 World Champion Ksenia Semenova.

The 16-year old made also a strong statement for the Individual All-around Final, by taking the fourth position in the current ranking (61.475), followed by the evergreen (and looking more beautiful than ever),  Anna Pavlova (60.900).  The 2004 Bronze medallist on Beam and with the Team in Athens also lies in 6th position in the Beam and Floor Finals.

The Ukrainians threw away a Team Final placing by numerous errors on Floor and Beam (including a fall of the 2006 Champion Iryna Krasnianska). However, they impressed on A. Bars (Koval, 16.325 and Zgoba, 15.675).

The Australians were most impressive on Vault and Floor, with Shona Morgan applying for the All-around Final (in 14th place).

Chussovitina was outstanding for Germany (lies in third for the Vault Final), but sadly too many mistakes of her teammates ruined qualification as a Team.

One last  Subdivision to go, the Teams' line up for the Final is in the hands of France and Brazil.

Subdivision 4

The main focus of spectators, officials, coaches and gymnasts was whether or not France and Brazil could make it through to the Team Final (Competition IV). Both teams have been there before (France 6th and Brazil 9th in Athens), but the French have recently been hampered by injury before (Severino) and in Beijing (Vericel, a World Floor Bronze medallist in 2007), withdrawn due to an ankle injury  and Debauve although working, still recovering from a bad fall from A. Bars in training.

France had a nervous start on Beam, steadied on Floor, vaulted to their best level and arrived on A. Bars with each gymnast having to score above 14.300 to qualify. This was achieved most successfully and their Final score of 233.875 placed them in 6th place.

The Brazilians began well on Floor and Vault - these apparatus made for their vibrant and dynamic approach, but they suffered falls on A. Bars and Beam. However, the World Master coach Oleg Ostapenko has seen it all before, and his team positioning paid off, as he used Dos Santos, Da Silva and Barbosa in the most effective way.  Final score 233.800, 7th place.  Barbosa and Dos Santos- finalists on Vault  and Floor.

The happiest team in the end - Japan, who  round up the "Top 8 Club" in Beijing.

Most painful moments - for Great Britain, who lost their chance by less than a point. Still Beijing will be remembered as their best  Team achievement at Olympic Games ever (9th).

Highlights of the group also include PRK's HONG Un Jong's second best score for the Vault Final 15.650.
 
China, USA, Russia, Romania, Australia, France, Brazil and Japan - in the Team Final!