The uneven bars have gone through something of a renaissance over the past 5 years or so, with more and more gymnasts performing original and difficult combinations, taking advantage of all the bonus opportunities in the current COP. At the Beijing Olympics, bars was the highest scoring event for the women by a significant margin. With these new innovations has come new and intensified sniping about technique and execution on bars from gymnastics fans, perhaps more than on any other event (just visit the intlgymnast forums, if you don't believe me!).
Even setting aside these recent developments, bars have always been one of the most exhilarating pieces of apparatus to watch- it was the scene, of course, of the first perfect 10- and it's great to see its rich history continue to develop. Here are some of my personal favorite and most memorable routines on bars:
Svetlana Khorkina, 1997 Worlds AA: The Queen
It really is impossible to talk about bars without talking about Khorkina, truly one of the all-time greats and perhaps THE all-time great on bars. She set a trend of innovation and excellence that really hasn't been equaled by another athlete since, especially on bars, and while it's hard to pick just one routine of hers to highlight, this was such a special moment in her career- just nailing this set to clinch the all-around, the first of her 3 all around world titles. After the disappointments of the Atlanta games for the Russian squad, this was extra special.
Aliya Mustafina, 2011 American Cup: The total package
Aliya's 2011 bar set was, before her devastating injury, perhaps the most exciting routine in all of 2011. And yes, I know it's not even finished yet, so it might be a bit early to make that call, but what other routine on any apparatus had these combinations, this originality and this spot-on execution? Although she didn't even get a chance to compete some of her more tricky low-bar combos this year, she was really heading for something special.
Mo Huilan, 1996 Olympics compulsories: ACK
Poor, poor Mo. Of all the unfortunate routines the Chinese team performed in Atlanta, this was the most shocking, especially coming in compulsories, especially from the world silver medalist on bars, especially since it meant Mo would not qualify for event finals.
Aurelia Dobre, 1987 Worlds AA
Dobre is easily in my top 3 "gymnasts who never achieved their full potential due to injury" list. She was so wonderful at these worlds, but was never really the same after her injuries. Even though bars wasn't her best piece, it's still a memorable routine for me as it nailed down her AA title, as well as demonstrating that Romanians CAN swing bars.
Yang Yun, 2000 Olympics EF
In my opinion, this should have beaten her compatriot Ling Jie's routine. The speed, the timing and the great lines make this a textbook example of Chinese excellence on this apparatus.
Viktoria Karpenko, 2000 Olympics AA
The Ukrainian team also have a history of wonderful bars routines...when they can hit them, that is. Karpenko's story, of course, did not end happily at these Olympics, but that doesn't take away from the beauty and ease of this routine.
Even setting aside these recent developments, bars have always been one of the most exhilarating pieces of apparatus to watch- it was the scene, of course, of the first perfect 10- and it's great to see its rich history continue to develop. Here are some of my personal favorite and most memorable routines on bars:
Svetlana Khorkina, 1997 Worlds AA: The Queen
It really is impossible to talk about bars without talking about Khorkina, truly one of the all-time greats and perhaps THE all-time great on bars. She set a trend of innovation and excellence that really hasn't been equaled by another athlete since, especially on bars, and while it's hard to pick just one routine of hers to highlight, this was such a special moment in her career- just nailing this set to clinch the all-around, the first of her 3 all around world titles. After the disappointments of the Atlanta games for the Russian squad, this was extra special.
Aliya Mustafina, 2011 American Cup: The total package
Aliya's 2011 bar set was, before her devastating injury, perhaps the most exciting routine in all of 2011. And yes, I know it's not even finished yet, so it might be a bit early to make that call, but what other routine on any apparatus had these combinations, this originality and this spot-on execution? Although she didn't even get a chance to compete some of her more tricky low-bar combos this year, she was really heading for something special.
Mo Huilan, 1996 Olympics compulsories: ACK
Poor, poor Mo. Of all the unfortunate routines the Chinese team performed in Atlanta, this was the most shocking, especially coming in compulsories, especially from the world silver medalist on bars, especially since it meant Mo would not qualify for event finals.
Aurelia Dobre, 1987 Worlds AA
Dobre is easily in my top 3 "gymnasts who never achieved their full potential due to injury" list. She was so wonderful at these worlds, but was never really the same after her injuries. Even though bars wasn't her best piece, it's still a memorable routine for me as it nailed down her AA title, as well as demonstrating that Romanians CAN swing bars.
Yang Yun, 2000 Olympics EF
In my opinion, this should have beaten her compatriot Ling Jie's routine. The speed, the timing and the great lines make this a textbook example of Chinese excellence on this apparatus.
Viktoria Karpenko, 2000 Olympics AA
The Ukrainian team also have a history of wonderful bars routines...when they can hit them, that is. Karpenko's story, of course, did not end happily at these Olympics, but that doesn't take away from the beauty and ease of this routine.
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