I like this routine
very much because of its expressiveness and artistry. This is a great
example that shows how much Almudena improved her expression through
the years and also demonstrates her talent to make an excellent
interpretation under any kind of music.
Both choreography and
elements are very original, Almudena effects very good balances
and spins but doesn't only demonstrate her physical qualities, also an
incredible apparatus handling including a difficulty with the rope in
each balance or pirouette. For instance, almost at the beginning of
the routine Almudena does grand eccart spin without stopping moving
the rope and later the balance pictured on the right, again keeping
the rope in movement.
Following the music Almudena dances gracefully, does a very good
catch-leg spin and a back bend.
Of course, there's
also risk in this exercise, along the diagonal of the carpet
Almudena makes throws the rope in an split leap and catches it
in while effecting a double-stag jump. After that, Almu does a
walk-over on elbows backwards but making it different, she leaves the
rope on her left foot and then grabs it again. There, we listen
another change of the rhythm where Almudena's elegant posses and
movements truly suit the music, as a result, we don't only see a
gymnast on the carpet, we also see an ARTIST!!
After some small jumps and a split
leap through the rope, Almudena does another balance tossing the rope
with great mastery and also effects her original side split spin
turning the rope around her leg.
Almudena created two different
endings for this routine and also two different breathtaking throws.
Both of them are shown on the photos below, the one on the left shows
the ending position that Almudena used to do in 1999 and early 2000,
and the final position pictured below on the left is the she effected
at the Olympics in Sydney.
Almu
did very well at the Rope final in Osaka Worlds, the
audience loved her magnificent performance. Yet, judges had other
preferences so Almudena placed 7th. The important thing is that
she did a great competition and her routine is highly appreciated by
the public, it's a piece of art!