UPDATED : [an error occurred while processing this directive]Tuesday, 06-Apr-1999 17:58:10 EDT

YVONNE PIOCH

She is the most hopeful female gymnast of Germany since her appearance on international game in 1993. If she had competed in Dortmund world championships in 1994, German women team could have obtained better results. But she was still in junior category, too young to compete in world championships.

In 1995 she turned to 15 and qualified for major competition. But individually DTB, German gymnastic federation were going to upgrade the age limit. Therefore her participation in Sabae was in doubt.

But when she won all title (AA, Vault, UB, BB, FX) of German championships of that year, nobody got to complain of her to compete in world championships.

In 1996, her first Olympic was not satisfied game. Because she injured her foot in world championships in Puerto Rico in spring and couldn't train well. She ended up with 72nd in prelims and couldn't compete in AA like she did in Sabae.

In Lausanne worlds, after undergoing an operation of right foot in Feburuary, she qualified for AA with selfconfident routine. It was dramatic comback for her. So she got a prize of "Best female gymnast of the year". At the end of this year Yvonne went to Nuernberg to be trainee of German force. Because of its excellent training system where the athlets can concentrate well, some men already belong to the force. But no female gymnast ever belonged.

Though she was beaten by her club teammate Gritt Hofmann at National Championships in 1997, next year 1998 she became National Champion again.

This photo appears courtsey of Matthias Wendt

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photos and text by
Katja Pfeilinsel
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