Tinkler inspired by Comaneci
Amy Tinkler will head into the allaround final at the World Championships today inspired by a chance meeting with one of her heroes.
The 17-year-old has been reaping the benefits of her relative fame since she won her surprise bronze medal in the women’s floor competition at last year’s Rio Olympics.
But she admitted to being starstruck this week by a close-up encounter with gymnastics superstar Nadia Comaneci, who claimed her perfect 10 at the same Olympic Stadium venue here 41 years ago.
Tinkler said: “I was in the lift going to breakfast the other day and Nadia Comaneci got in. We were chatting away and it was just incredible to think she knew who I was.
“She has been such a massive part of my gymnastics life – I used to watch all her videos on Youtube, and the only other time I’ve seen her was two years ago when I was just happy to get a picture.
“I’m at this point now where I’m getting recognised in the street, and where my idols are turning into my rivals. It all feels pretty crazy but the fame thing is not something I would ever turn down.”
Tinkler qualified in 13th place for the all-around final, her score of 52.831 particularly impressive after a tumultuous year in which she relocated to south Essex and fought back from a serious ankle injury.
She also has good reason to gain confidence from a solid qualification routine despite errors on bars and floor, and which was completed despite suffering from a heavy cold.
Tinkler added: “This year hasn’t quite gone to plan with moving clubs and having my injuries so it’s great to make a world all-around final with everything that’s gone on.
“I think it shows again that I belong on this level, and that hopefully next year and beyond, if I have better preparation in the future, there’s no reason why I can’t keep pushing for medals.”
The women’s all-around competition has been thrown wide open by the absence of four-time Rio Olympic champion Simone Biles, and a warm-up injury which ruled out Romania’s Larisa Iordache.
“I was devastated when I saw what happened to Larisa, because she is such a great gymnast and I really thought it was going to be her year,” added Tinkler.
Japan’s Mai Murakami led qualifying with 55.933, just ahead of American Ragan Smith.