UPDATE: Romania has finished 13th overall. Final results here.

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Romania had a meltdown in the first subdivision at the qualifications for the 2015 World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. With their performance, they may not even make the team finals. The team finished with a 217.22 and after three subdivisions, they are behind Japan and Canada. There are still 9 more subdivisions to go.

Romania needs to place in the top eight in order to qualify for team finals here at Worlds as well as to qualify a team for next summer’s Rio Olympics. If they place between 9-16, they will miss the finals here and they will have to qualify a team to the Olympics through the Rio test event in April.

Historically a gymnastics powerhouse, Romania’s team has been struggling as of late. Many of their best gymnasts have moved on and their rising gymnasts have not lived up to expectations. Romanian legend Catalina Ponor was originally aiming to return for Worlds this year but ended up pulling out due to injury. Romania also lost Anamaria Ocolisan to injury and only had five gymnasts competing today.

At today’s competition, they were missing the sparkle they are known for. Starting on floor, they hit their routines but got killed on execution. Leader Larisa Iordache watered down her routine and only did a full in to open instead of a tuck double double after struggling with the harder pass in podium training. Last year she earned silver on floor at Worlds, this year she won’t even make the finals.

They moved to vault where they made their skills, but only had four up and counted a Yurchenko full from Diana Bulimar.

On bars, Laura Jurca hit her routine but the following four gymnasts all fell, Bulimar falling twice. Iordache, usually so consistent and reliable, fell on a Maloney half.

The disaster continued on beam. While Jurca again hit her lead off routine, she only scored a 13.833. Bulimar followed but was hesitant and wobbled on nearly every skill. Iordache looked to bring the team back on track but fell on her first acro- her back handspring tuck full. Andreea Iridon was wobbly but stayed on the beam. Silvia Zarzu finished the rotation with another fall.



After the competition, the team spoke to Romanian broadcasters but were in tears. Iordache ushered the team past the rest of the media and they exited with their heads down.

Nadia Comaneci was watching the competition in person and according to NBC Sports, she said, “I am sick to my stomach” after the meet.

The team will not know if they’ve qualified to either finals or the Olympics until all of the sub divisions conclude on Saturday night.


Related:
World Championships Central
Live Blog
Women's Qualifications Results