2011 World Championships: What to expect from team Brazil?

The 2011 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships are just two days away. Not much has been said about Brazil at the other blogs or even in International Forums. Both the Men's and Women's teams are considered, at the very best, dark horses for the Team Finals. But both teams can actually surprise non-believers and deliver strong performances that could secure a couple of spots in the finals.

Half a year ago, there was not much we could expect from the WAG team. Veteran Daiane dos Santos was still a doubt; we did not know if she would make the Worlds team or not. Daniele Hypólito and Jade Barbosa seemed to be the only gymnasts we could rely on. Adrian Gomes was still a relatively unexperienced athlete that could barely help the team. Bruna Leal, Letícia Costa, Ana Claudia Silva, Laís Souza and Priscila Cobello were all suffering with different kinds of injuries. There was hardly any hope for the team at the 2011 World Championships.

Things have changed, though. Daiane dos Santos has returned. Jade Barbosa and Daniele Hypólito are still important assets for the team. Adrian Gomes has finally unleashed most of her potential. Bruna Leal and Priscila Cobello are not injured anymore. There is a team for the Worlds, after all. There is still hope. Sadly, Ana Claudia Silva still seems to be injured. She was taken to Tokyo and will be the alternate to the team, but she can hardly compete on the level she is used to. Too bad, but the show must go on.

And what a show this is supposed to be. Daiane dos Santos is back with a very strong floor routine (shown in Podium Training: Laid out Tsukahara, Dos Santos I, Front pike through Double Pike, Double Layout (!!!) to finish-off). She can also contribute to the team with her bars routine and on vault. Daniele and Jade are strong in every piece of apparatus. Adrian Gomes contributes a good deal on vault and on beam. She will probably perform on all four apparatus during qualifications, though, since she still has a strong chance to qualify for the AA final in case something goes wrong with Daniele or Jade. Bruna Leal will contribute on vault (one and a half twisting Yurchenko) and bars. Priscila Cobello is a beam specialist.

The team has the potential to reach the Team Final. It will not be easy, but they can do it.

I will continue this update when I return home. Now, I have to finish my work. Stay on.