Everyone thought Beth Tweddle or Anna Myzdrikova had the hardest floor routine in 2009. In fact at one point, Kristina Goryunova also had a floor routine with a whooping 6.1 D score. The Goryunova sisters are able to throw big tumbling skills individually, but suffer from stamina issue. But nonetheless, this routine is no less artistic than Myzdrikova, and despite the form issues, is a convincing attempt in the difficulty department.

It was unfortunate what happened to Kristina in a seemingly innocent drug misuse case, although we have no idea what really happened. I have a very soft spot in my heart for Kristina. The girl is not the most talented, but she is never afraid of attempting skills outside of her capacity (thus the numerous scary dtys). This routine consists of two .2 CV passes, both indirect E connections. The only person who will ever attempt such an exhausting thing would be her sister.

The Goryunovas have been through a lot this year, losing their coach to cancer, Kristina being banned for four years ending her career prematurely, then Eleonora suffering from injury and not making Euros team. Despite her form and endurance issues similar to her sister’s, Eleonora is a talented one-of-a-kind junior gymnast, the kind Shantessa Pama, Daria Elizarova and He Yinghui once were.