Doha (Qatar): Oksana Chusovitina warmed up for her record eight Olympic Games with a gold in her pet women’s Vault final at the 13th Artistic Gymnastics World Cup here on Friday afternoon.
The 44-year-old Uzbekistan veteran breaks all paradigms. Among the teenage girl competitors, who were not even born when she competed in her first Olympics in 1992, Oksana remains a mother figure to most of her challengers yet quite a tough nut to crack.
In a thin field of four gymnasts, Oksana emerged top with 14.066 points ahead of Frances Coline Devillard 13.966.
She had initial difficulty on landing in her first attempt, but it was good enough to overcome her nearest challenger Coline Devillard of France (13.966).
Oksana won a gold medal with the Unified Team, formed by athletes from countries of the former Soviet Union, at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Age has been just a number for her, but it remains to be seen how she competes in a tough field in Tokyo next month.
“If I’m a role model for one or two other female athletes, I’m honored,” said Oksana.
Egypt’s 26-year-old Nancy Taman finished third (13.366).
Qatar’s Duha Al Habshi raised spectre of a podium finish after she qualified for the finals on Wednesday, but her performance (11.799) wasn’t up to the optimum level.
