Vivian, Istria exceed all expectations

2005 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships - Melbourne

Australian gymnasts Olivia Vivian and Damian Istria have performed above many expectations on day two of the World Championships in Melbourne.

Vivian, after judges awarded her a score of 9.312, is in contention for a place in the uneven bars final on Saturday afternoon, while Istria is through to high bar finals with a personal best score of 9.612.

For Vivian it was her best score in any form of gymnastics competition. Plucked from obscurity at the Western Australia Institute of Sport to compete in international gymnastics for the first time, she was absolutely ecstatic with her performance during the morning session.

“It's the best feeling and it was also my personal best score on uneven bars.”

In what came as a surprise to her, Vivian's father made the trip over from Perth to see her compete.

Qualifying for the final would top it off for Vivian, who is recovering from a knee injury, which kept out her of gymnastics for almost a year.

Regardless of whether she makes the final or not, Vivian is automatically through to the second qualification trial for Commonwealth Games selection.

Istria's best result on the high bar in international competition was in the challenger series against China where he claimed the Gold medal.

"After my injury two years ago I didn't think I'd be competitive at international level. Just to know I have a chance in the finals of the World Championships, just to be in the running, proves to myself that I can be competitive."

Coach Serguei Chinkar, who is Istria's coach at the Queensland Academy of Sport, always has a way of expressing of how he feels about his gymnasts performances and he was no different today.

"When those big, bare hands come over and clob you over the back you know he's happy."

Prior to knowing if he had made the final for high bar or not, Istria was very tense and nervous hoping he would be there competing on Saturday afternoon.

Istria now spends the next few days training and resting as he looks to better fellow Australian gymnast Philippe Rizzo's silver medal on high bat at the 2001 World Championships.

Australian head female gymnastics coach, Peggy Liddick had nothing but praise for both Vivian and the Australian men who performed extremely well in competition on day one yesterday.

"The Men's results were great. Even though the Men and Women are in different programs, it's always good to see them do well. I have to credit Sergei Chinka with doing a great job, he's really made it a professional team, with very methodical training. A coach after my own heart."

Vivian was also impressed with how well the male gymnasts had performed and believes that he boasted the team's morale.

"We're all amazed. It's been unreal. We have three in the finals and before that we only ever had one. It's been a real boost for the team."

Tonight sees Australian female medal hope Monette Russo compete on all four apparatus, in an attempt to qualify for the all-round final.

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