Floor exercise is often considered the most exciting women’s event, and for good reason. Floor combines artistry and power into a complete routine while also allowing each individual gymnasts’ style to shine through. In our Podium Picks video, we talked about floor standouts Simone Biles, Mykayla Skinner, Larisa Iordache, Vanessa Ferrari, and Mai Murakami. There are tons of great floor workers and many that can contend for a podium spot, but in this article, I will be comparing just two gymnasts’ routines- Aliya Mustafina and Claudia Fragapane.

Both gymnasts have very different styles but equally impressive routines overall. Mustafina is an already well established gymnast who has been at the top of the elite scene for years. Fragapane is very new to the international elite scene but has already made a name for herself. Do you think either gymnast has a shot at the Worlds floor title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. 

Aliya Mustafina

 

Mustafina is one of the most decorated gymnasts not just in Russia but in the world. She is incredibly strong on all events and her floor routine especially draws in the crowd. She may not have the highest difficulty, but her routine is beautiful to watch with great execution and stylized dance.

 

At last year’s World Championships, Mustafina fell on floor in qualifications and did not make it to the floor finals. However, she still boasts an impressive resume including a bronze on floor at the Olympics and she will definitely be looking to medal at this year’s Worlds.

Watch Mustafina’s floor routine from last year’s World Championships’ all-around finals below. Video via YouTube user Zarariel Kyora. 

 

 

Mustafina had ankle problems at the beginning of this year that lead her to limit competition performances. While she still contributed greatly to team Russia at European Championships, she did not compete on floor. She had surgery on her left ankle and returned earlier than expected, competing at the Russian Championships in April and winning all-around. At that meet, she posted an impressive 15.1 on floor with a 5.9 difficulty score. While she looks to be completely healed, it is hard to know for sure until we see her at Worlds. 

 

At the 2013 World Championships, Mustafina competed an impressive opening pass of a whip, whip, back handspring, Arabian double front to stag jump. She also performs a two and a half twist to layout front full and a triple full. In her routine at the Russia Cup this year, she performed a triple turn holding her leg up at 180 into a double turn. 

 

 

 

 

Claudia Fragapane

 

Fragapane has had a breakout year and is Great Britain’s up and coming floor star. At only 4’ 5”, she is small but extremely powerful and her strength is highlighted in her dynamic tumbling as well has her energetic dance. Her bouncy, hip-hop styled dance is nearly the complete opposite of Mustafina’s classic style but both are equally crowd pleasing.

 

Fragapane was selected to compete at the 2014 European Championships where she had a solid meet and placed 8th overall on floor with a 14.133. She was then chosen to represent England at the Commonwealth Games. It was here where she shined and caught the eyes of many fans. She won the all-around title as well as the floor title with a 14.541 and a 6.0 difficulty score. She also earned vault and team gold medals and with those four gold medals she became England’s most successful female Commonwealth Games competitor in 84 years.

Watch the floor routine that secured Fragapane's all-around gold at Commonwealth Games below. Video via YouTube user Gutsu Fan. 

 

 

Her floor routine is packed with powerful tumbling and she competes a layout full in, double layout, Arabian double front, and a double pike. She completes these passes with ease which is a good sign that she has room for upgrades. Her bubbly personality shines through as she shows off every part of her routine. This will be Fragapane’s first World Championships and it will be exciting to see how she measures up on the Worlds stage.

 

Which floor style do you prefer? Will either gymnast earn a medal on floor at this year's Worlds? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.