1976 Jr. ITA-USSR Dual Meet


Comments from the Women's National Technical Director

Il Ginnasta, September 1976

We knew that the USSR had a youth team worthy of the best traditions, but we never imagined this team of reinforcements (all aged 14) surpassed the most titled gymnasts Korbut, Turischeva and Kim.

In fact, Daydova, Zakharova and Tereschenko have nothing to envy compared to their most famous colleagues, and the manifestation of ability and skill they showed left us with admiration and amazement. Although lacking in international experience, these gymnasts have a very wide repertoire of difficulties: they impressed in particular with their basics, the correctness of their legs, the amplitude of their leaps, the tightness and control of their bodies, all things that allow us to glimpse, beyond their young age, the careful preparation and enormous propensities these girls have for the future.

Regarding the analysis of the competition, it is sufficient to refer to some of the difficulties displayed by the Russians to get an idea of their level of preparation.

At the vault we saw: a handspring front (tucked and piked) with and without a half twist; and a Tsukahara (with and without a twist), all performed with perfect technique.

On the uneven bars, exceptional body control allowed the Russians to perform some unusual difficulties (especially in training), and very risky dismounts. The routines all showed a large breadth of momentum and a dynamic that until now had only been seen in men’s horizontal bar exercises.

On beam, all of the acrobatic elements found in FX have been transferred to this apparatus. The originality of the connections and the difficulties performed are perfectly adapted to the personality of each individual gymnast.

All the Russian gymnasts performed a double twist or double salto (some were piked) in their routines. At the end of their routines, they all performed at least one twist or one or more acrobatic series. We are definitely the most behind the Russians on floor, not only as regards acrobatics but also for connections and music. The Russian women have paid special attention to these, and all of routines were original and appeared to be personalized for each gymnast.

In conclusion, these Russian gymnasts will certainly be Comaneci’s main opponents at the Moscow Olympics, as long as they are able to stand the pace of work imposed on them and not break early.

Our team was decidedly inferior to these phenoms. In any case, their performances were not displeasing and their form was not too bad on some events.

The work that our Federation is doing has begun to bear fruit. Through teamwork, we managed to put together a group of gymnasts in possession of a discrete technical background. What I hope for the future is that the work continues at the same pace and that the efforts made to form this team are not lost. We currently have an efficient team and can still progress a lot, and for this we must thank the coach Leone and the other coaches and assistants who worked with him.

The final classification of the match saw Davydova in first place, followed by Tereschenko, Aleksyutina, and Zakharova. Our Loana Biffi was 5th and competed well, despite of missing training due to an injury. Giorgini also had a nice competition.