CSSR Gymnasts Lose to the USSR
Rude Pravo, 21 June 1976
The last test before the Olympic Games was between the USSR and CSSR gymnasts in Minsk. After compulsories, the USSR led 192.05 to 189.50. Turischeva, Korbut, and Kim were not on the team as they are already assured a place on the Olympic team and now train according to their personal plans. The USSR gymnasts on this team were battling for the remaining spots on the Olympic team.
For the Soviet contestants, the best in the compulsory round was Saadi. The best Czech was Holkovicova of Bratislava, tied for 6th (0.6 behind Saadi). After compulsories 1. Saadi 38.7; 2. Filatova 38.35; 3. Koval 38.2; 4-5. Grozdova and Davydova 38.15; 6-7. Shaposhnikova and Holkovicova 38.1;
.8 Pohludkova 38.0; 9-1.0 Poradkova and Smolikova 37.8; 1.1 Tunova 37.65; 12-13. Knopova and Cernohousova 37.55; 14. Mukhina 37.2.
After optionals, the USSR won as expected, 397.00 to 390.75. Also, the individual winners were from the home team (Munich Olympic winner Saadi was 1st AA). CSSR champion Pohludkova was 6th, 1.4 points behind Saadi.
Saadi received the highest scores of the compulsory round on beam and floor exercise. Most judges praised Mukhina, who included the most difficult elements of contemporary gymnastics.
In the event finals on Sunday, the Soviet Union won all the first places. For the Czech girls, Pohludkova was the most successful and took 2nd on uneven bars. Holkovicova was 4th on vault and Poradkova was 6th. Smolikova was also 6th on uneven bars. Pohludkova was 4th on beam and Knopova was 5th. Pohludkova was 4th on floor with Poradkova in 5th.
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