Russo creates history

2005 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships - Melbourne

Monette Russo has created history by becoming the first ever Australian female gymnast to win a medal at a World Championships after scoring 37.298 overall to grab the bronze medal for the All-Around event behind the USA's Chellsie Memmel.

Russo beat Australia's previous best finish of ninth overall by the recently retired Allana Slater at the 1999 World Championships.

Russo, who had been touted as a medal hope after finishing first in the challenger series against China, earlier this year, was extremely pleased with her performance that saw her in the Gold medal position after the third rotation.

“There was a bit of pressure, but I kept focused.”

After achieving Australia's best ever result, Russo wasn't sure of the scores she achieved on all four apparatus in vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor.

“The scores I get are what the judges decide and no, I don't go out there to try to achieve high scores.”

Australia coach Peggy Liddick was again quick to praise the efforts of Russo individually and also her bronze medal winning medal performance will give gymnastics a much greater profile than ever before here.

“It will do a world of wonders for Australian gymnastics and it will change the whole mindset of the public when it comes to the sport.”

Russo also picked up the Longines Award for Elegance and received a trophy, watch as well a cheque for US $5,000.

After receiving the award from Longines president Walter Von Kanel, Russo was extremely surprised about receiving the award.

“I didn't expect to receive this award, but it's very good to have it.”

When asked how she went overall during the competition overall, Russo was pleased with how she performed.

“I competed really well and my floor routine was actually quite good.”

This is a surprise, considering Russo is better known for her prowess on the balance beam, where she will participate in the apparatus final on Sunday afternoon.

Tomorrow sees the individual apparatus final get under way at 2pm (AEDT) with Australian gymnast Prasanth Sellathurai competing on the pommel horse and Russo will compete on uneven bars.

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