Something Karolyi is counting on.
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A combination that includes Douglas, who hopped off beam during both rounds at trials and has openly talked about her sagging confidence. Her second night was just as impressive ― she’s the most experienced person competing today, and it showed.
Following the London Olympics, Raisman took time off from gymnastics to enjoy opportunities that had come her way – performing on tour with her teammates, competing on “Dancing With The Stars”, and being a special guest at the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel, the global Jewish sporting event.
There will be no confusion when Douglas arrives to work out with the national team in Texas later this week. “That’s why she made the team even with the mistakes she had in the competition”. She finished up in 7th after the two nights of competition.
On balance beam, her third rotation of the night Sunday, Raisman shined and looked nothing short of superbly confident. “I feel like that’s really going to motivate me to push in the gym and really work hard and no matter what I’m not giving up”.
The Americans haven’t lost a major global competition in six years, the gap between themselves and the rest of the world hardening along the way. The precocious 16-year-old Hernandez – who admits she’s too naive to know any better – continued her rapid ascension to perhaps the best threat to Biles’ long run at the top.
For the second straight competition she tumbled off the balance beam and lacked the iron confidence that has been her trademark.
Biles had an uncharacteristically rocky first night at Olympic trials. But for potentially the biggest routine of her life, Kocian hit a 15.9 on bars on Day 2 of Trials, which was easily the highest score of anyone during the past few competitions.
Raisman’s spot ended a remarkable resurgence in recent months.
Madison Kocian in the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships finals on August 15, 2015.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) As the red, white and blue confetti fell inside the SAP Center on Sunday night, Aly Raisman reached out her right hand and called for her fellow new U.S. Olympians to join in on a quick team cheer.
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Kocian is on this team for one primary reason – uneven bars. “I think we all thought we would be a little bit more nervous in the waiting room, but we were just talking and on our phones and taking pictures”, she said of finding out the news. “To have her just lead this team, we’ve been there, and for us to be back on this road together is just incredible and kind of different because we were on the same team and now we’re on the same team again. It says a lot about this team because we’re all trying to squeak out extra tenths and I hope that we live up to our potential in Rio”.
