Russia leads qualifying, US women start today

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands - A brilliant all-around performance by Aliya Mustafina led Russia past China and into the provisional lead of the women's team qualifying at the world gymnastics championships Saturday.

With the U.S. women still to come early today, the traditional powers of Russia, China and Romania topped the standings. But there was nothing old-fashioned about 16-year-old newcomer Mustafina.

With stunning elevation on the floor and vault topped with a natural grace, she took the lead in the individual standings with 60.666 points, giving her a huge 2.567 margin over Jiang Yuyan of China.

On top of her youthful vigor, Mustafina also showed composure. Forced to wait to start her beam exercise, she went through part of her routine next to the apparatus, totally focused and seemingly oblivious to the aggravation such a delay usually brings.

Mustafina competed as a junior at the European championships this year and helped Russia win that team title. She finished second in the all-around to Tatiana Nabieva, who was in provisional sixth place Saturday.

Together, they led Russia to 234.521 points for a small lead over China, which had 233.778.

The Russians were in the last group of competitors on the opening day and showed all the eagerness a day of waiting brings. They had been shut out of the podium at the Beijing Games and were expected to bounce back here. They did not disappoint the 5,000 fans at the Ahoy venue.

Not only was Beijing the first time since 1948 that Russia didn't win a team medal in an Olympics they competed in, the traditional powerhouse also failed to win a single individual medal.

Instead of a late show, it was the opposite for the Chinese women. They needed a 5 a.m. wake-up call to be ready for the first morning session, but with four members of the gold medal-winning team from the Beijing Olympics, their experience easily carried them through.

Despite two spills on the beam, Romania was in third place with 228.495, well ahead of Britain (224.921).

The team final is Wednesday.