It really is interesting seeing all three together because, as is intended, you can compare the subtle differences between them all. And there are quite a few here. Just watch it 3-4 times and you’ll see. And I’m not talking in terms of technique or who points their toes more, rather what moves are either performed/absent, or big differences in the quality of a particular move. To my eye it doesn’t all go in Szabo’s favour. I shall do my best to describe them but forgive the lack of technical jargon: 1. Before the first tumbling pass - Johnson does a huge split leg lift almost up to her head. Retton gets her leg up halfway. Szabo? She doesn’t even attempt the move! Interesting. 2. Just before the second pass. Retton does a very pronounced split jump, then leans back and arches beautifully. Johnson does a sort of hop (instead of Retton’s split jump) and then also does a lean back. Szabo does the same hop as Johnson but then makes no attempt to perform the lean and arch of the back. Also interesting. 3. The handstand. Retton’s is adequate, perhaps a bit rushed but well controlled but with no wide leg split in the handstand position. Johnson’s to my eye is a clear deduction - again no leg split whilst in handstand, then an off-centre and wobbly release onto the floor. This IS where Szabo really comes into her own - she performs the most exquisite leg split in the handstand and holds it for a noticeable moment with incredible control. I recall Szabo got a 10 for this and I suspect this sequence really helped sway the judges. Dance-wise I can’t really see any difference between the three. Granted Retton’s muscular physique was less appealing in this balletic routine but she IS a wonderful dancer, with all her moves on the beat and with lots of expression. Johnson clearly by this stage had done years of ballet and it showed in her elegance and beautiful line. Szabo is also great in the ballet and dance department. Now I’m going to seek out Julianne Macnamara’s routine for a final comparison.
Ecaterina Szabo was superlative! Hands down, she was the best with her refined acrobatics, exuberance and expression. Mary Lou Retton looked out of sorts. One moment, she's all fake smiles. The next, she's concentrating super hard to keep good form. Kathy Johnson was the best dancer the US had.
We get it , you personally don’t like Retton . I’ve seen you post on several videos . Unfortunately , your critiques are biased . I just have to roll my eyes .
No need to put gymnasts down just because you preferred Szabo's routine. I much preferred Szabo's because she controlled several moves and showed good flexibility. But Retton and Johnson are fine gymnasts.
@@shane802 Retton's was the weaker of the 3 though. Weaker extension and flexibility. Not as good a dancer as the other two. Doesn't have anywhere near the fluidity the other two have. Her handstand to straddle looked "risky," as well. She did have good amplitude in the tumbling, though. I agree with that poster, regardless of their posts: Szabo > Johnson > Retton. Johnson was the best FX worker the US had. If only she could tumble more consistently :-( Szabo had the best straddle leaps the world has ever seen, Lol. Personally, I think Szabo peaked in 1983. She wasn't anywhere near that level in 1984, though she did grow into her womanly figure and continued to give great performances up through 1987. She was always great on FX. Effortless power. She should have kept her optional FX from 1983. That was an iconic routine for her, IMO.
Seria melhor se o pianista tocasse a de Mary Lou e Kathy como o pianista romeno tocou a de Szabo e vice versa, valorizaria mais a personalidade de ambas.
A ginástica evoluiu tanto que essas apresentações nem tem graça de ver. Executam mortal esticado enquanto hoje até as que não vão para a final executam duplo mortal esticado.
Szabo has the best compulsory floor routine, in my opinión.
All is superbly well done, but it's Szabo for me, which just comes down to personal aesthetics.
Fabuloasa și eleganta Cati! Superb.
They all killed it! This routine is so beautiful!
The good ol' days.
It really is interesting seeing all three together because, as is intended, you can compare the subtle differences between them all. And there are quite a few here. Just watch it 3-4 times and you’ll see. And I’m not talking in terms of technique or who points their toes more, rather what moves are either performed/absent, or big differences in the quality of a particular move. To my eye it doesn’t all go in Szabo’s favour. I shall do my best to describe them but forgive the lack of technical jargon:
1. Before the first tumbling pass - Johnson does a huge split leg lift almost up to her head. Retton gets her leg up halfway. Szabo? She doesn’t even attempt the move! Interesting.
2. Just before the second pass. Retton does a very pronounced split jump, then leans back and arches beautifully. Johnson does a sort of hop (instead of Retton’s split jump) and then also does a lean back. Szabo does the same hop as Johnson but then makes no attempt to perform the lean and arch of the back. Also interesting.
3. The handstand. Retton’s is adequate, perhaps a bit rushed but well controlled but with no wide leg split in the handstand position. Johnson’s to my eye is a clear deduction - again no leg split whilst in handstand, then an off-centre and wobbly release onto the floor. This IS where Szabo really comes into her own - she performs the most exquisite leg split in the handstand and holds it for a noticeable moment with incredible control. I recall Szabo got a 10 for this and I suspect this sequence really helped sway the judges. Dance-wise I can’t really see any difference between the three. Granted Retton’s muscular physique was less appealing in this balletic routine but she IS a wonderful dancer, with all her moves on the beat and with lots of expression. Johnson clearly by this stage had done years of ballet and it showed in her elegance and beautiful line. Szabo is also great in the ballet and dance department. Now I’m going to seek out Julianne Macnamara’s routine for a final comparison.
Ecaterina Szabo was superlative! Hands down, she was the best with her refined acrobatics, exuberance and expression. Mary Lou Retton looked out of sorts. One moment, she's all fake smiles. The next, she's concentrating super hard to keep good form. Kathy Johnson was the best dancer the US had.
We get it , you personally don’t like Retton . I’ve seen you post on several videos . Unfortunately , your critiques are biased . I just have to roll my eyes .
No need to put gymnasts down just because you preferred Szabo's routine. I much preferred Szabo's because she controlled several moves and showed good flexibility. But Retton and Johnson are fine gymnasts.
Kati Szabo the best
@@shane802 Retton's was the weaker of the 3 though. Weaker extension and flexibility. Not as good a dancer as the other two. Doesn't have anywhere near the fluidity the other two have. Her handstand to straddle looked "risky," as well. She did have good amplitude in the tumbling, though. I agree with that poster, regardless of their posts: Szabo > Johnson > Retton. Johnson was the best FX worker the US had. If only she could tumble more consistently :-( Szabo had the best straddle leaps the world has ever seen, Lol.
Personally, I think Szabo peaked in 1983. She wasn't anywhere near that level in 1984, though she did grow into her womanly figure and continued to give great performances up through 1987. She was always great on FX. Effortless power. She should have kept her optional FX from 1983. That was an iconic routine for her, IMO.
Mary Lou era elétrica já Szabo era calminha❤🇷🇴🇺🇸
Seria melhor se o pianista tocasse a de Mary Lou e Kathy como o pianista romeno tocou a de Szabo e vice versa, valorizaria mais a personalidade de ambas.
A ginástica evoluiu tanto que essas apresentações nem tem graça de ver. Executam mortal esticado enquanto hoje até as que não vão para a final executam duplo mortal esticado.
Rettons was the best. Kathys was great. Szabo had a mistake at the end.
What was her mistake at the end?
Balance
No, Zsabo was perfect