Aliya Mustafina To Miss 2015 World Championships - Back Injury

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According to NBC Sports, Aliya Mustafina will not be competing at the 2015 World Championships primarily due to a back injury. Mustafina is a strong leader for the Russian team, and was the 2010 World all-around champion. She also took bronze in the all-around at the 2012 London Olympics, bronze at 2013 World Championships, and fourth at 2014 World Championships. Mustafina competed this year at the 2015 European Games and took the all-around title, but will now be foregoing a shot at the Worlds podium to recover from injury. According to the Russian Gymnastics Federation, Mustafina needs time to relax and heal, and then will be focused on training for Rio throughout the rest of the
year.

Furthermore, China’s Yao Jinnan has also been sidelined following a reported shoulder surgery, according to the article. Yao finished fifth in the all-around at the 2013 and 2014 World Championships, and helped lead China to team silver behind the U.S in 2014.

Additionally, Viktoria Komova is back in action after missing 2014 Worlds due to health problems, and recently competed at the 2015 Russian Cup. She had an unfortunate two falls on bars, and will be looking for redemption in Glasgow.

Romanian Larisa Iordache is a strong contender for a medal at Worlds, as she took silver behind Biles last year, but she has been nursing an ankle injury.

With the absence of top competitors, U.S. gymnasts will have a great opportunity to occupy the Worlds podium. The U.S. Worlds Team is expected to be announced in early October after Worlds Selection Camp.