Error-prone Russians take world team title
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Aliya Mustafina guided an error-prone Russian team to its first team title at the world gymnastics championship in the Netherlands by just 0.201 points over the United States on Wednesday.
The 16-year-old Mustafina provided the stabilizing influence over all four apparatus for the Russians as two of her teammates suffered falls on the bars.
Fortunately for the Russians, their nearest rivals also suffered mishaps with American Mattie Larson crash landing her final tumble on floor, while China's Sui Lu slipped off the beam following a wayward pike front somersault.
The Russians finished on 175.397 points, ahead of the US on 175.196. China claimed the bronze with 174.781.
US veteran Alicia Sacramone, whose two errors during the 2008 Olympics that relegated the US team to silver, said the number of slips and tumbles was just part of gymnastics.
"I tried not to think about Beijing at all, there's nothing I can do to change what happened then," said the 22-year-old, who temporarily retired after Beijing before making a comeback. "We all had mistakes today so it really was anybody's medal. It was their turn (the Russians) this year but next year, I'm not giving any promises but we are going to be giving them a run for their money."
Mustafina, who scored 60.932 points across all four apparatus on Wednesday for the highest individual aggregate score is now a favorite for the women's all around title today.
Last year's champion Bridget Sloan of the US, will not defend her title after an injury-plagued year and will compete only on the bars. "It has been really tough on me," Sloan said. "I really wanted to defend the title I won last year but being here and being a part of the team it feels just as great."
