SHARED by: Coach Sam, Gymtime Gymnastics Coach

The 2015 World Championships kicks off Friday October 23, 2015 when gymnasts from around the world will begin competing for a slot in the team, all-around, and/or individual apparatus finals. This year’s championships are especially significant as they have the potential to earn each country a ticket to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The eight countries with the highest team scores qualify for the next Olympic Games.  The countries ranked 9 – 16 can compete at the Olympic Test Event in April for their chance to qualify for the big games.

Competition Overview:
  • On October 23, the following countries will be competing: Spain, Romania, Japan, Austria, Canada, Sweden, Great Britain, Brazil, Italy, Russia, Poland and Germany.
  • On October 24, the following countries will be competing: USA, North Korea, China, South Korea, Belgium, France, Australia, Netherlands, Greece, Mexico, Hungary and Switzerland.
  • October 27 is the Team Final competition.
  • October 28 is the Women’s All-Around Finals.  The All-Around Finals rewards the gymnast who receives the highest score on all four events combined.
  • October 31 and November 1 are the Women’s Individual Event Finals. The Individual Event Finals rewards the gymnasts that receives the highest score on each individual event.

Ok. Now that you have the show-time rundown, there is some basic information all viewers should know before watching the event. Women’s gymnastics consists of four events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and the floor exercise. During the qualifying meet you should be on the lookout for how the USA is stacking up against other countries. Historically, we are ranked 5th place for overall medal wins in the Worlds. The top five countries are as follows:
COUNTRY                GOLD MEDALS                   TOTAL
Soviet Union               112                                         265
China                            73                                           156
Japan                            41                                           148
Romania                       7                                             133
USA                               43                                           112
Since 1903, the Soviet Union has more than twice the number of medals compared to the US, but be on the lookout for a strong American presence this year. The US Team consists of 2012 Olympic Gold Medalists: Gabrielle Douglas and Aly Raisman, along with Brenna Dowell, Madison Kocian, Maggie Nichols, MyKayla Skinner.The rising star to watch for however is the 18 year old National and World Champion Simone Biles!
These athletes are ranked in several ways during the qualifying round. The World Championships currently use the “5-4-3 model” to select the teams which will compete in the finals. 5 gymnasts are on their country’s team, 4 gymnasts compete on each apparatus, but only the top 3 scores on each event are added to the team’s total. The 8 highest team totals progress to the final round.  Things get tougher for the teams who make it into the Finals where the “5-3-3 model” is used. 5 gymnasts are on the team, 3 compete on each event, and all 3 scores count. In the finals, there is no room for error!
These world-class gymnasts compete as a team but can also qualify as individual competitors to the All-Around and Individual Event Final.

With all of these divinations, it is possible for one incredible gymnast to take home six gold medals: Team, All-Around, Vault, Bars, Beam, Floor. So, for all of you out there interested in gymnastics, this is it: the best of the best! Tune in. Root for our girls. Get inspired. See you all on the podium.

Please note: This article only covers the women’s gymnastics. For more information on the Men’s World Championships, which will be held at the same time, visit the website.

Broadcast Schedule:
Oct. 27 – W Team Final – 2:45 p.m. (Universal Sports – live)
Oct. 27 – W Team Final – 8:00 p.m. (Universal Sports – rebroadcast)
Oct. 28 – M Team Final – 1:55 p.m. (Universal Sports – live)
Oct. 28 – M Team Final – 8:00 p.m. (Universal Sports – rebroadcast)
Oct. 29 – W AA Final – 2:45 p.m. (Universal Sports – live)
Oct. 29 – W AA Final – 8:00 p.m. (Universal Sports – rebroadcast)
Oct. 30 – M AA Final – 2:10 p.m. (Universal Sports – live)
Oct. 30 – M AA Final – 8:00 p.m. (Universal Sports – rebroadcast)
Oct. 31 – Event Finals – 9:30 a.m. (Universal Sports – live)
Oct. 31 – Event Finals – 8:30 p.m. (Universal Sports – rebroadcast)
Nov. 1 – Event Finals – 8:30 a.m. (Universal Sports – live)
Nov. 1 – Event Finals – 8:00 p.m. (Universal Sports – rebroadcast

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

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