Update 9/24. As of this afternoon, Ponor is going to sit out Championships due to calf pain. The injury is not serious, however, and she will still be on the team for Worlds. She should be fine after ten days of rest.

Two weeks after their triumphant returns at the Romania-France Friendly, Larisa Iordache and Catalina Ponor will compete again in Bucharest at the Sala Polivalenta complex for the 68th annual Romanian Championships.

After a very successful 2014 season, Iordache took some time away from competition to heal nagging injuries, missing both the European Championships and European Games. Her return at the friendly meet earlier this month saw excellent performances across the board, including a 58.15 all-around finish. Ponor, meanwhile, ‘retired’ after the 2012 Olympic Games, but decided on a return to competition following her country’s rough performance at World Championships last year. She too looked very strong at the friendly meet, hitting a solid DTY and a difficult beam routine for a 14.9.

These two will be joined by their 2012 Olympic teammate Diana Bulimar, who has missed the last two world championships due to knee injuries. We will also see the return of 2014 worlds team member Stefania Stanila, out since last October due to injury. Other members of this team to compete include Andreea Munteanu, Anamaria Ocolisan, and Silvia Zarzu. Add new seniors Laura Jurca and Andreea Iridon, both of whom competed at the inaugural European Games in Baku, to the list and it’s shaping up to be a very competitive meet!

Some young Belgian juniors, all 2001 and 2002-born, will also compete as guests. This group includes Maellyse Brassart, Oriane Jungers, Chloe Leblicq, and Vanina Vallee.

The women will compete in the all-around on Saturday afternoon and will then contend at event finals on Sunday. A full list of competitors is below.

Article by Lauren Hopkins