LARSON, SHAPIRO PUSH PAST INJURIES TOWARD WORLDS
Written by John Crumlish

International GYMNAST Magazine Online
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Aug 4 2009

Recovering from ankle injuries, World Cup gold medalists Mattie
Larson and Samantha Shapiro (U.S.) hope to be candidates for this
fall’s World Championships, their coaches told IG this week.

Larson, who placed seventh all-around at the 2008 U.S. Championships
and 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, sprained both ankles on a tumbling
pass at a U.S. national team training camp in Texas early last
month. Shapiro, a first-year senior who placed second all-around at
the 2007 and 2008 U.S. Junior Championships, had surgery June 13 to
remove two bone chips from her right ankle.

Galina Marinova and Artur Akopyan, who coach Larson and Shapiro at
All Olympia Gymnastics Center in Los Angeles, said both gymnasts are
unlikely to compete at the Visa (U.S.) Championships that will take
place Aug. 12-15 in Dallas. According to Marinova, however, Larson
and Shapiro will train with other U.S. team members in Dallas and try
to stay in contention for the World Championships in London in October.

"Both of Mattie’s ankles are almost back to normal," Marinova
said. "Even in a wheelchair, Mattie came into the gym and got a
lot of support from the other girls. Then she came in on crutches,
and started all kinds of conditioning while lying on the floor. She
started slowly doing exercises wearing athletic shoes, and now she’s
doing bars with athletic shoes, and getting better and better. She’s
in great shape, and we’re very positive she will be ready for the first
(U.S. worlds team) selection camp in early September."

Based on their training in Dallas during the Visa Championships,
Marinova said she hopes Larson and Shapiro can petition to the first
selection camp.

Samantha Shapiro performs at the 2008 U.S. Junior Gymnastics
Championships."Anyone who wants to try to get a place on the national
team or go to Worlds has to show their mental and physical preparation,
and their strength," Marinova said. "I think that, if the girls make a
good impression with their preparation, they will be able to petition
to the camp."

In addition to gymnastics conditioning and workouts, Marinova said
Larson’s and Shapiro’s physical therapy has included laser treatments,
acupuncture and swimming. "Mattie is also doing a lot of toe raises
in the water, and other movement in the water for her ankles to get
stronger," she said.

While Shapiro’s post-surgery training has been limited to uneven
bars and balance beam, Marinova said Larson could be ready to compete
all-around this fall.

"Mattie has four good events," Marinova said of the 17-year-old
Larson, who placed first on balance beam and floor exercise at the
Gymnix World Cup in Montreal earlier this year. "We’re very positive
she will be back on track and in good shape. I believe she will be
strong on floor and vault, and even beam, and possibly bars. That’s
our plan. Step by step we’re positive."

As former gymnasts, Marinova said she and Akopyan can relate to the
frustration their injured gymnasts feel, but they are working to keep
Larson and Shapiro optimistic. Marinova competed for Bulgaria and made
the all-around final at the 1979 Worlds, the 1980 Olympic Games and the
1981 Worlds. Akopyan, a native of Armenia who competed for the Soviet
Union, finished first on vault and third all-around at the 1983 Worlds.

"We know that injuries happen, but if we take care during the recovery
process, Mattie and Sami can be good for the Worlds selection camp
in early October," Marinova said.

Marinova said that Shapiro, who placed first on uneven bars at
the Gymnix World Cup in Montreal earlier this year, is gradually
regaining strength.

"Sami is in almost the same situation as Mattie," Marinova said. "She’s
just started training bars, and a week ago she started walking
without athletic shoes. The plans are to get her strong on bars,
her best event, and also on beam. I believe that, after her surgery,
she will be ready on bars and beam. Bars is possible for the first
selection camp, and we’ll work strongly on both of these events. I
believe she can be ready if we do the recovery well, and if she feels
healthy on her foot."

Akopyan said he, like Marinova, is optimistic about Larson’s and
Shapiro’s prospects.

"I want to be positive, but it’s a short time from now till Worlds,"
Akopyan said. "If they recover fast, I think they can make the
team. They have some of the best routines in the country."

Akopyan said he and Marinova have been impressed by their gymnasts’
determination.

"Mattie is very strong with her mind," Akopyan said. "I really admire
what she’s doing and how she’s acting. To be injured is a hard process
for an athlete. I like her mentality that she is keeping her physical
shape. I believe she is going to come back strong. Samantha will
take a little longer, but we are in good spirits. She wants to do it,
and she will be back. They will both be back."

Akopyan said Larson and Shapiro could be even more impressive when
they are completely recovered.

"In this sport, everyone gets injured," he told IG. "Everyone is
behind the curtains sometime, and suddenly they show their faces. I
believe that, soon, they will show better gymnastics."