Comaneci slays critics

Press, 14 May 1979, Page 30

Comaneci slays critics

NZPA Copenhagen Nadia Comaneci impressively countered suggestions that she is no longer the supreme world force in women’s gymnastics by winning two more gold medals on the second and final day of the European championships in Copenhagen. The Olympic champion, after flopping at the recent world championships in Strasburg, answered her critics in the best way possible by winning the over-all title on Friday and slamming the opposition in the vault and floor events on Saturday.

Her medal contribution helped to maintain Ru-

mania’s status as the top nation in women’s gymnastics, ahead of its Easternbloc rivals, the Soviet Union and East Germany. At one stage it seemed as if Comaneci was heading for the “grand slam’’ of five titles but an over-ambitious movement on the isometric bars left her sitting on her bottom on the floor and she could finish only fourth. The event was won by the world champion, Yelena Mukhina (Soviet Union). On the beam she had to take third place behind Natalia Shaposhnikova (Soviet Union) and her compatriot, Emilia Eberle.

Shaposhnikova realised some of her vast potential by winning the beam gold medal with a record total

for the championships of 19.85 points out of the maximum 20. The competitors’ results in the combined event on Friday were carried over to Saturday and were added to their performances in the individual events to provide the total. Shaposhnikova received 9.95 points on Friday, the highest mark awarded in the championships, and added 9.90 on Saturday. In the final medal table Rumania had 3 golds, 3 silver, and 1 bronze; the Soviet Union two golds, two silver, and 2 bronze; and East Germany 1 silver and 1 bronze.