Who Has the Best Form?
Tuesday May 13, 2008
Ivana Hong Photo © Jeff Gross / Getty Images |
Instead, gymnasts are going after high difficulty levels, often at the expense of doing the skills well. So far, it seems to be a smart strategy if you'd like to win big: 2006 Women's World Champion Vanessa Ferrari, 2006 & 2007 Men's World Champion Yang Wei, and 2006 Women's World Silver Medalist Jana Bieger all won their medals, arguably, by going for big difficulty scores -- and with comparatively weak marks in the execution department.
Because, thankfully, there are still quite a few gymnasts who could be included, I've limited the poll to this: Which 2007 World Medalist has the best form? Tell us what you think.
Watch each gymnast:
Cheng Fei (Gold Vault; Silver Team)
Cheng Yibin (Gold Rings)
Ivana Hong (Gold Team)
Li Shanshan (Silver Team, Beam)
Nastia Liukin (Gold Team, Beam; Silver Bars)
Alja Pegan (Silver High Bar)
Mitja Petkovsek (Gold Parallel Bars)
Qin Xiao (Gold Team; Pommel Horse)
Hiroyuki Tomita (Silver Team)
Check out this gallery of photographs showing off good form -- and poor form.



Comments
I like the good form/poor form pics. You really capture the concept - and make it clear how difficult ir is to keep perfect form! I agree that beautiful form elevates the sport.
Best form of 07 medalists is an oxymoron. They all have bad form including Nastia who can’t keep her feet together on floor or bars.