GUIMARAES, Portugal (September 19, 2024) – Americans have already secured final berth following Day 1 of competition Thursday at the 2024 Acrobatic World Championships in Portugal.
The women’s trio of Mariam Tutberidze (Owings Mills, Md.), Grace Vonder Haar (Laurel, Md.), Kayla Vonder Haar (Laurel, Md.) has the highest U.S. finish of the day, qualifying in sixth to the balance final. They scored a 27.850 to advance as the Belgian group of Lauren Verbrugghe, Sofie Jaeken and Mirte Vercauteren sat in the top spot with a 29.560. The American women’s group of Olivia Green (Silver Spring, Md./Xtreme Acro), Rebecca Greenberg (North Potomac, Md./Xtreme Acro) and Caylei Caldwell (Villa Ridge, Mo./Xtreme Acro) had the eighth-best score with a 27.400 but will act as the country’s reserve athletes due to the one-per-country rule.
Qualifying to Sunday’s balance final are the women’s pair of Mo Arthur (Rolla, Mo./Mid America Acro Tumbling) and Ariana Katsov (Owensville, Mo./Mid America Acro Tumbling). The duo qualified in eighth with a score of 26.830. Fudi Yang and Chenyufei Yao of China were the top qualifiers with a 27.800. The pair of Molly Fox (San Diego, Calif./So Cal TTC) and Katie Borcherding (Eureka, Mo./Incentive – AGT) were designated as the American reserve after placing ninth with a 26.830.
In men’s pair competition, Ethan Chang (Columbia, Md./Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer) and David Vonder Haar (Laurel, Md./Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer) finished 13th in dynamic qualifications with a 25.930. The Spanish duo of Jose Moreno and Juan Daniel Molina were first in qualifying with a 27.660. Only the top eight pairs advanced to final competition.
The championships continue Friday, September 20 at 5:30 a.m. ET with the remaining qualifying rounds and team awards to be decided. Beginning Saturday, final competition will be streamed live on Peacock for U.S. fans. Visit the FIG event website for all information on the Acro World Championships, including live scoring and results.