After five wins in a row, the successor for US superstar Simone Biles has been found. Marlies Männersdorfer came in 22nd.
Strong performance: Angelina Melnikowa
The Russian Angelina Melnikowa won the all-around title for the first time at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan. The 21-year-old Olympic third won the General Gymnasium on Thursday with 56.632 points ahead of the two Americans Leanne Wong (56.340) and Kayla di Cello (54.566).
Melnikowa, who got through her program without a major mistake, succeeds Simone Biles in the four-way battle, who triumphed for the fifth time as the best all-rounder at a World Cup in Stuttgart in 2019. The US superstar is not at the start of the championships in Japan, as is Tokyo Olympic champion and compatriot Sunisa Lee.
Cheerful faces in Japan: Marlies Mannersdorfer and Daymon Jones
Historic success for Marlies Männersdorfer
There were also happy faces in the Austrian delegation: Marlies Männersdorfer, who qualified for the decision as 24th and last, completed her freestyle on floor, jump and uneven bars with excellent results. In the meantime, the 24-year-old from Vorarlberg was even in 17th place. At the end of the balance beam, however, she made the same mistake and fall in the pirouette as in the qualification. That finally meant the 22nd final place.
“I was able to enjoy the final a lot,” said Männersdorfer. “It was just unbelievable to be on stage with the top gymnasts in the world and to be part of it. I'm all the more pleased that I was able to improve. It was simply indescribable and made me want more. I thank everyone who supports me on this path, I would not have made it this far without them. ”
Acrobatic: Marlies Männersdorfer
Successful premiere with perspectives
Männnersdorfer achieved 48.595 points in the final, slightly less than in the qualification (48.798). Nonetheless, the national champion managed the better placement, as her direct competition also failed in the decision. Mannersdorfer's 22nd place is the second best Austrian gymnastics world championship all-around result after Gertrude Kolar's bronze medal in 1951 (back then without a separate final).
National coach Daymon Jones was also satisfied: “It is something very special that Marlies not only qualified as the first Austrian for a World Cup final, but also managed to climb two places. That was the icing on the cake. We have made a clear statement here in Japan that Austria’s gymnasts will continue to rise and that we are working hard to get to the top of the world rankings. The 2021 World Cup was the starting signal for this, ”said the American.
