Russian Dream Team Dominates 2013 University Games

Jul 7, 2013 by Anne Phillips

The Russian women's team stunned their competition on day one of the 2013 Universiade in Kazan. Led by Olympic Champion Aliya Mustafina, the Russians won the team title by a ridiculous ten point margin. Japan and Germany rounded out the podium.

While many teams were made up of less experienced gymnasts, Russia made it a point to send their top athletes and impress the home crowd. They sent a stellar squad of Mustafina, Ksenia Afanasyeva, Anna Dementyeva, Tatiana Nabieva and Maria Paseka.

Mustafina impressed with a 58.90 all around score while likely holding back on full difficulty. She qualified in first place to both the all around final and uneven bars final (15.00).

2011 World Floor Champion Afanasyeva debuted a new floor routine that earned a 14.75 to qualify first into the event finals. She also finished second all around and will join Mustafina in the all around finals.

Watch Afanasyeva's new routine:

2010 and 2011 World team star Tatiana Nabieva made a rare appearance in the all around today after missing much of 2012. Nabieva impressively finished third all around in qualifications with a 56.050. However, due to the two per country rule, she will not advance to all around finals. She will join Mustaina in the uneven bars final.

2011 European All Around and Beam Champion Dementyeva really shined on her best apparatus, earning a 15.30 and advancing in first place to beam finals.

2012 Olympic vault bronze medalist Paseka only competed on her specialty, and earned a 15.100 to lead the vault finalists.

Click here to watch more Russian routines from today in Kazan.

2013 World University Games All Around Finalists (with 2 per country rule)

1 Aliya Mustafina (RUS) 58.900

2 Ksenia Afanseyva (RUS) 56.550

3 Elsa Garcia Rodriguez (MEX) 55.250

4 Ellie Black (CAN) 55.200

5 Yu Minobe (JPN) 55.150

6 Kim Bui (GER) 54.800

7 Mizuho Nagai (JPN) 54.600

8 Lisa Hill (GER) 54.000

9 Hannah Whelan (GBR) 53.150

10 Dorina Boczogo (HUN) 53.150

11 Angelina Kysla (UKR) 53.050

12 Heo Seon Mi (KOR) 52.700