The German gymnasts provided sporting bright spots at the World Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia.
From her confinement, new mom Elisabeth Seitz watched as her former teammate Karina Schönmaier made it into both the vault and all-around finals.
In the qualification, the 20-year-old took fourth place on vault and sixth place in the all-around competition. “I’m very happy with my jumps,” said Schönmaier on Monday. “I think that should be enough for the vault final.” She should be right about that.
Schönmaier was the only German gymnast to reach an individual final at this World Championships. In the absence of gymnastics stars Simone Biles (USA) and Rebeca Andrade (Brazil), she and 17-year-old Silja Stöhr will be in the final on Thursday.
“I’m incredibly proud and happy. I’m very happy with my result,” said Stöhr after qualifying. Jesenia Schäfer, who is only 15 years old, also showed a strong performance and took 31st place.
Schönmaier wants to attack in the jump final
In the men’s event, Timo Eder was the only German to make it to the all-around final. Nils Dunkel narrowly missed making it into the top 24 gymnasts in 26th place.
“This is definitely a disappointment. I have opened the door for countries that should normally stay behind me,” said the 28-year-old from Halle/Saale. Gabriel Eichhorn, Elisabeth Seitz’s brother and now uncle, as well as Artur Sahakyan also missed the individual finals significantly.
Timo Eder is already challenged in the all-around final on Wednesday (from 1:30 p.m.). For the women it’s all about the medals on Thursday, Karina Schönmaier will also start in the diving final on Friday (from 9:00 a.m.).
“I can add more to the second jump,” she said – she initially wanted to “play it safe” in the qualification.