Jordyn Wieber, 16, became only the sixth American woman to win the individual all-around title at the world gymnastics championships.
She accomplished the feat in dramatic fashion, overcoming an error on the uneven bars to battle back and claim the gold medal by a margin of just .033 over 16-year-old Viktoria Komova of Russia.
“I definitely thought I was going to end up with silver,” said Wieber, who broke down in tears when she saw that she had won. “I’m so surprised.”
So was Komova, as she was the only one out of the top five who didn’t have a major mistake, but it still wasn’t enough to take home the gold.
“I’m very disappointed,” Komova said afterward through a translator. “I’m very upset.”
China’s Yao Jinnan won the bronze medal, while Aly Raisman of the U.S. finished in fourth.
“It means so much to me,” Wieber said. “It’s a dream come true.”
Jordyn Wieber said: “It was such a blessing to have my mom and dad here watching me for this. Now I’m excited to go home and see all the people who have been supporting me.”
John Geddert coaches Wieber with his wife, Kathryn, at Gedderts’ Twistars USA.
“This is what storybooks are made of,” he said. “She’s no quitter. She could have thrown in the towel after the (uneven bars). I told Jordyn, ‘Now you fight for every tenth.’
“I thought Komova had it (after floor exercise), but she didn’t make a high-leg turn. She was in caution mode while Jordyn was in high gear.”
For now, it looks like the competition at the 2012 London Olympics is going to be pretty fierce.
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