2021 Euros: Women's qualifications

Wednesday 21st of April, the women completed their qualifications at the European Championships in Basel. Margaux Daveloose, Fien Enghels, Noémie Louon and Jutta Verkest defended the Belgian colours.

Margaux Daveloose and Jutta Verkest were the first two gymnasts competing on balance beam at this European Championships. This is never an easy task. Margaux managed to stay on the beam but had some wobbles and connection issues. She scored 11.700. Jutta fell twice but showed a beautiful backhandspring to two layout step out combination for 10.466. Noémie and Fien also started their competition on balance beam in the 3rd subdivision. Noémie fell twice at the very beginning of her routine but came back strongly and still scored 11.333. Fien missed a few connections and fell on her acro series. She got 11.733.

The girls came back strongly on floor exercise. Jutta scored 12.833 for a clean routine, Margaux got 12.866. Noémie showed great control on her first two tumble passes but unfortunately sat her last one down. The judges rewarded her with 11.966. Fien did not compete on floor.

Jutta, Margaux and Noémie all showed clean Yurchenko vaults with a full twist. Jutta received the highest score: 13.366. Margaux and Noémie both scored 13.100.

On bars Margaux was clean but unfortunately fell on her double tuck dismount (11.833). Jutta was solid for a score of 12.933. Noémie scored 13.133 for a good routine including a piked Jaeger and a double pike dismount. Fien showed intricate work and dismounted with a skyhigh double front for a score of 13.900. She's the first reserve for the uneven bars final.

Jutta Verkest had the highest all-around total with 49.598. She finishes on the 33rd place and is the third reserve for the all-around final. The young gymnast told European Gymnastics she enjoyed the experience and was happy to come back from her nervewrecking start on balance beam. Jutta was closely followed by Noémie Louon who totalized 49.532 and Margaux Daveloose with 49.499.

In this first big competition in 13 to 15 months, the girls lacked competition rhythm. They all showed their ability to recover after a difficult start on beam. So let's see this competition as an important step in their preparation for the Olympic Games. They gained important experience today. 

The Russian team dominated these qualifications today. Angelina Melnikova was first, ahead of her young teammates Viktoriia Listunova and Vladislava Urazova. Romanian star Larisa Iordache finished fourth and qualifies for the Tokyo Olympic Games. Russia qualifies 1 additional gymnast for Tokyo too.

All-around Results :

1. Angelina MELNIKOVA (RUS) 55.991

2. Viktoriia LISTUNOVA (RUS) 55.465

3. Vladislava URAZOVA (RUS) 55.299

4. Larisa IORDACHE (ROU) 54.698

5. Martina MAGGIO (ITA) 54.398

6. Amelie MORGAN (GBR) 54.032

7. Vanessa FERRARI (ITA) 53.765

8. Jessica GADIROVA (GBR) 53.699

...

33. Jutta VERKEST (BEL) 49.598

35. Noémie LOUON (BEL) 49.532

36. Margaux DAVELOOSE (BEL) 49.499

On Thursday, the Belgian men will compete in their qualifications. They would like to qualify for 2 finals.

Maxime Gentges (all-around) and Florian Landuyt (floor, pommel horse, vault and parallel bars) will compete in the second subdivision starting at 2pm. Luka Van den Keybus (all-around), Takumi Onoshima (floor and pommel horse) and Noah Kuavita (high bar) will compete in the 3rd and last subdivision of the day that starts at 5pm.

Full qualifications results can be found here.