Joura capable of Beijing medal
24 May, 2008
West Australian Daria Joura clinched her third consecutive Australian all-around title, and in doing so demonstrated that at her best she is capable of being a major factor in the all-around, along with the bars and floor apparatus in Beijing.
Joura, whose two day score totalled 122.200, became just the third gymnast to achieve three consecutive titles, joining fellow West Australian Jan Bedford (1661-1964) and South Australian Marina Sulicich (1977-1979) with three in a row.
Such was her dominance that she won three of the four individual apparatus gold medals, missing all but the beam title.
Victorian Shona Morgan (120.700) went a long way to securing a spot in the Games team by producing two days of high quality gymnastics to win the silver medal; her best ever result at nationals.
Fellow Victorian Ashleigh Brennan (119.650) finished third, West Australian Lauren Mitchell (116.200), last year’s silver medallist, recovered from a horror first day to finish fourth, ahead of Victorian’s Georgia Bonora (115.400) and Emma Dennis (115.250).
But the two day competition was all about “Dasha”.
After a stellar day yesterday that produced a lifetime best of 61.600 all-around score that included a stunning 15.750 on floor, her second day total of 60.600 was down by one point, due mainly to a poor beam routine. Joura’s second day was highlighted however by an impressive 15.600 on bars, which could put her into the medal mix in Beijing.
Although not as impressive as the opening day, Head Coach Peggy Liddick remained upbeat about what she has seen over the two days.
“There’s a little more pressure on tonight as this was the final shot to show their stuff and its natural to have that high, it’s a skill to be able to repeat it and they’re all still learning. That’s the university of gymnastics.”
The national selectors will now convene to select a squad of up to 12 gymnasts, but most likely no more than ten, who will move to the second selection trial at the Australian Institute of Sport on 28-29 June. The squad will be announced on Sunday.
Gymnastics Australia