Beaming Under Pressure

The balance beam is arguably THE most difficult event to perform under pressure. It requires intense concentration, accuracy and most importantly, the ability to steel your nerves when it counts.  Firstly, the things that gymnasts are able to perform on the beam (which we should be reminded is only 10cm wide) are insanely difficult, but perhaps even more challenging to perform in competition in front of huge crowds of people. Gymnastics truly is both physically and mentally challenging.

In my mind, there are only a handful of gymnasts who have managed to produce beautifully executed routines under the pressure of competition. I have included four of my favourites here (although there are certainly others who should be included on this list). These gymnasts are particularly admired for their consistency and mental toughness. For any gymansts out there, if you need motivation before a competition, watch these routines!

1/ Shannon Miller (USA), 1996 Olympic Games Event Final

In my mind, Shannon is one of the most precise beam workers of all time. I'm a big fan of the two backwards rolls to handstand performed out of the controlled handstand. It's refreshing to see gymnasts perform something different and it is also rare to see an entire routine executed as cleanly as she does it.

Shannon Miller (USA) on beam at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games

2/ Catalina Ponor (ROM), 2004 Olympic Games Event Final

This woman is a machine. In true Romanian style, she performs her beam routines with immense confidence and precision. When I watch her, I am simply able to sit back and enjoy her routine. She makes everything look easy, which proves that she truely has mastered her routine. I have to think hard to remember a time when she has fallen during competition. It just doesn't happen.

Cata Ponor's beautiful gold medal routine during the 2004 Athens Olympics Event Final

3/ Samantha Peszek (USA), 2009 US Nationals

I was watching this competition the other day, and was reminded of Sam, a 2008 Olympian (who now competes for UCLA). She was an incredibly solid beam worker and boasted some amazing skills such as a 1/1 standing back tuck. In 2008 she was very much overshadowed by Nastia and Shawn, the superstars of her own team. But this routine should remind everyone that Sam was an amazing gymnast in her own respect, and did her job for team USA quietly in the background. She soon recovered from elite gymnastics after this competition, but what a great way to go out.

Sam's great routine from Day Two at the 2009 US Nationals

4/ Jordyn Wieber (USA), 2011 World Championships All-around Final

After this routine, I think that I became a true Wieber fan. After a shaky bar routine, Jordyn had lost the lead over Russia's Viktoria Komova. However, Weiber didn't let this phase her and responded with this super beam set which helped her to become a World Champion by fractions of a point. This is the classic example of why you should never give up until something is over- anything can happen if you are determined enough.

Jordyn makes the performance of her life at the 2011 Tokyo World Championships

This list could have gone on much further! Comment below and tell me what your favourite beam routines of all time are.

Article by Imogen Browne (Follow me on twitter @iflip4gymblog)

Queen Ponor: 2004-2012

Catalina Ponor (Cata) is one of Romania's most celebrated gymnasts. She comes from a country that made history in gymnastics with the greats such as Nadia Comaneci, who at the age of 14 scored the first perfect 10 in the summer Olympics of Montreal in 1976.

Nadia's perfect bar routine in Montreal. She went on to win three golds, one silver and one bronze.

Cata began training at Deva under coaches Octavian Belu and Mariana Bitang in 2002, at the age of 14. Two years later, she became the most decorated gymnast of the Athens Olympics where she won 3 gold medals, one for the team competition and two for individual competitions on balance beam and floor exercise.

Ponor's Gold Medal Balance Beam performance in Athens

She moves with such fluidity and finds the balance between athleticism and grace. Traditionally Romanian gymnasts are very solid on beam, it is a rare occasion to see them fall. Cata attacks her routine and holds nothing back, which is why she is a champion on this event.

Eight years later, at the age of 24, she competes for the second time in a balance beam final at the Olympics (she missed the 2008 Beijing Games altogether). After a slightly shaky yet respectable performance, she received the same score as America's Aly Raisman. Due to a tie-breaker she found herself in 4th place. She managed to gather her courage and rallied for a 2nd place finish and a silver medal in the floor exercise final, an amazing achievement for her!

Cata competes in the floor final at the London 2012 Olympic Games, silver medal performance

Immediately after the London Olympics, Catalina announced her retirement. She has since reconsidered this decision and plans to resume training until she decides what will come next. Hopefully she can continue the Romanian legacy in gymnastics, and continue to be a fabulous team leader and fierce competitor. She has inspired many (myself included!) with her amazing comeback, it would be awesome to see her continue for a few more years. She's got more to give!

Article by Imogen Browne (@ImogenMireille)