Bieger wins floor exercise silver medal at 2006 World Championships

AARHUS, Denmark, Oct. 21, 2006 – Jana Bieger of Coconut Creek, Fla., won her third silver medal at the 2006 World Championships when she finished second in the floor exercise final, just behind China’s Cheng Fei.

Natasha Kelley of Katy, Texas, who moved into the floor exercise final when the USA’s Chellsie Memmel of West Allis, Wis., withdrew due to a shoulder injury, finished seventh.

Bieger was explosive in her floor routine. She was solid on all of her tumbling-run landings and finished her routine with a sky high double pike. Her snappy music and impressively executed routine energized the crowd, which clapped along. She posted a 15.550, her highest floor routine score at the World Championships. Cheng's routine featured a double-twisting, double-back somersault, a difficult skill that is only done by a few women in the world.

“I felt really good today,” said Bieger, who also claimed silver medals in the all-around and team. “I did the best I could and I am happy with my performance.

“I wasn’t really expecting it so it is even greater,” said Bieger, who is coached by her mother, Andrea, who was an Olympic gymnast for West Germany. “I was pretty confident going into the floor finals and I had a lot of fun.”

Kelley also gave a solid performance in the floor exercise. Her tumbling was well done, with solid landings. The crowd showed its appreciation for her efforts, joining in with clapping and cheering. She earned a 15.300.

“I had a blast,” said Kelley. “I have been training the last two days so I would be prepared just in case. It was awesome (to be in the finals). I was excited to compete, and I went out did a great routine. Everyone was cheering and clapping the whole time. It was so much fun, one of the most fun routines I have ever done.”

In the other women’s event, Iryna Krasnianska of the Ukraine won the balance beam final with a score of 15.575 In the men’s events, the champions crowned today were: vault -- Marian Dragulescu, Romania, 16.487; parallel bars -- Yang Wei China, 16.075; and high bar -- Philippe Rizzo, Australia, 16.125.

Individual event final results for 2006 World Championships

Vault

1. Marian Dragulescu, Romania, 16.487

2. Dimitri Kaspiarovich, Belarus, 16.312

3. Fabian Hambuechen, Germany, 15.825

Parallel Bars

1. Yang Wei, China, 16.075

2. Hiroyuki Tomita, Japan, 15.950

2. Yoo Won Chul, Korea, 15.950

Horizontal Bar

1. Philippe Rizzo, Australia, 16.125

2. Aljaz Pegan, Slovenia, 15.900

3. Vlasios Maras, Greece, 15.800

Women’s Events

Balance beam

1. Iryna Krasnianska, Ukraine, 15.575

2. Sandra Raluca Izbasa, Romania, 15.500

3. Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs, Canada, 15.475

Floor exercise

1. Cheng Fei, China, 15.875

2. Jana Bieger, USA, 15.550

3. Vanessa Ferrari, Italy, 15.450

U.S. finish

7. Natasha Kelley, USA, 15.300