TOP 5: BARS

My Favourite Bars Routines of 2013

As 2013 draws to a close I want to take a look at some of the routines that have stood out for me throughout the year. They may not necessarily be the highest scoring or the the most difficult, but simply ones that I have enjoyed watching. You can find my top 5 vaults here and here are my top 5 Bars routines of 2013:

5 - Becky Downie
This girl has got some AMAZING combinations in her routine! It is packed full of difficulty and is definitely a routine to watch out for. Her combinations will make you gasp in delight as she swings through her routine. Becky has made plenty of finals this year with this routine and hopefully, with more consistency, there will be plenty more finals and medals to come.

Becky Downie, Bars, 2013 British Championships

4 - Kyla Ross
Kyla's work on bars is simply beautiful to watch. She is clean and elegant throughout, making even her most difficult skills look easy. She flows through her routine from start to finish with breathtaking fluidity and grace. A delightful routine performed by a delightful gymnast.

Kyla Ross, Bars, 2013 P&G National Championships

3 - Aliya Mustafina
Aliya's work on this apparatus is simply stunning. She sails through her routine in such an effortless way, as if failure is simply not an option. She has plenty of difficult skills and combinations, all made to look so beautiful and elegant. It can be said that it is difficult to actually 'perform' on bars, but Aliya certainly manages it and with some style too!

Aliya Mustafina, Bars, 2013 European Championships

2 - Yao Jinnan
This has to be one of the more spectacular Bars routines of the year. Yao Jinnan deserves so much credit for bringing the Mo Salto back into competition in her routine. I loved watching this skill when Mo Huilan first introduced it to the Uneven Bars all those years ago and I love it just as much now. An immensely difficult move and a definite crowd pleaser, it takes a great deal of courage to attempt such a skill in the middle of a routine. But in the World Championships AA Final Jao Yinnan not only performed the skill successfully, but performed the whole routine with the style and ease we have come to expect from the Chinese gymnasts.

Yao Jinnan, Bars, 2013 World Championships

1 - Ruby Harrold
This routine has stood out for me from the first time I saw it. It is a routine with a 'wow factor' and draws gasps from all who see it. I was lucky enough to see Ruby perform this routine at the British Championships this year and it was quite amazing to see the routine in front of me and hear the reaction from the crowd. A fantastic routine and one that I am sure will be watched and remembered for many years to come.

Ruby Harrold, Bars, 2013 Doha World Challenge Cup