On the Second Day of Christmas, Gymnastics Brought to Me:
An Amazing Yamilet Pena Abreu!
Image from Este Pais de Mierda. Dominican Republic gymnast Yamilet Pena Abreu is incredible! I have stayed out of the debate over Yamilet and her amazing Produnova vault, but I love it and I believe that she should keep attempting it. So gutsy and determined is this gymnast! The Produnova, named after Elena Produnova, the first gymnast who introduced it into the Women's competition is known as the Roche in Men's Artistic Gymnastics. The Produnova is a Handspring Double Front, and since Produnova, Yamilet is only the second gymnast to attempt the 7.0 difficulty vault - North Korean Choe Jong Sil attempted it at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, but did not stand it up. Unfortunately, I have only seen Pena's Vault and Uneven Bars routines, but two words to come to mind when I hear her name - Power and Smile - the latter because her smile could light up an entire room. And most excitingly Yamilet will be competing for a chance to earn herself an Olympic berth at the Second Qualifier in London next month! GO YAMILET!
At her World Championship debut this year, Yamilet finished 120th in the All Around (46.565), eighth on Vault, 140th on Bars (10.933), 186th on Beam (10.333) and 165th on Floor (11.366). At the Puerto Rico Cup earlier this year in July, which was held in Mayaguez, she finished 5th in the All Around (49.231), was first on Vault (14.350 average), and was fourth on Uneven Bars (11.450). And at the 2011 Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America and the Caribbean or ALBA Games, which is a social-leaning economic and cultural alliance among eight nations in South America and the Caribbean, Pena came 11th in the All Around (49.150), second on Vault (13.800 average),
eighth on Bars (11.825), fifth on Beam (12.500) and seventh on Floor (11.275).
At her World Championship debut this year, Yamilet finished 120th in the All Around (46.565), eighth on Vault, 140th on Bars (10.933), 186th on Beam (10.333) and 165th on Floor (11.366). At the Puerto Rico Cup earlier this year in July, which was held in Mayaguez, she finished 5th in the All Around (49.231), was first on Vault (14.350 average), and was fourth on Uneven Bars (11.450). And at the 2011 Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America and the Caribbean or ALBA Games, which is a social-leaning economic and cultural alliance among eight nations in South America and the Caribbean, Pena came 11th in the All Around (49.150), second on Vault (13.800 average),
eighth on Bars (11.825), fifth on Beam (12.500) and seventh on Floor (11.275).