NANNING Victor Oladipo Jersey , China, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- With a record number of gymnasts registered to compete and Olympic team qualification at stake, this week's World Gymnastics Championships in Nanning promises to be something special. In the women's competition, here are 10 gymnasts to look out for:
1. Simone Biles, the United States, 17
Top results in 2014: Winner of the U.S. Championships and Secret U.S. Classic.
Signature skills: Biles has a number of unique or rare skills that she does really well, but what sets her apart is her double layout half out tumbling run on floor exercise and her high Amanar vault Darren Collison Jersey , which she can land like a dart.
Why she's on the list: As a first-year senior in 2013, Biles stormed the international scene at the World Championships in Antwerp, becoming the first woman since Aliya Mustafina in 2010 to qualify for all four event finals, and placing no lower than fourth on any one of them. What was astonishing about her already dominant performance in Antwerp was how much room she still had to improve and upgrade.
2. Aliya Mustafina, Russia, 20
Top result in 2014: Winner of three titles (all-around, beam and floor exercise) at the Russian Cup Reggie Miller Jersey , as well as winner of the Russian Championships in April.
Signature skills: Maloney full transition on uneven bars, two whipbacks to Arabian double front tumbling pass on floor, triple turn with leg at head on floor, all of which she competed in 2013.
Why she's on the list: Amongst the artistic, often-injured Russian gymnasts, Mustafina stands out as the rock of the team. Relatively injury-free before big competitions since tearing her ACL at the 2011 European Championships, Mustafina has not let herself miss a large international since the 2012 Olympic Games. Indeed Paul George Jersey , she seems to have improved, unveiling original and difficult new combinations on uneven bars and floor exercise, and becoming the surprise winner of the beam title in 2013.
3. Maria Kharenkova, Russia, 15
Top result in 2014: First on Beam at the European Championships
Signature skills: Two whip backs to a triple full on floor exercise, and a beautiful layout to two feet on beam, done from two back handsprings.
Why she's on the list: After winning a pair of junior European titles on beam and floor in 2012 Cheap Indiana Pacers Jersey , Maria Kharenkova was marked out as a future leader of the Russian team. Two years later, she's still growing into her role on the senior team, but is proving herself to be impressive and reliable, especially on her best events. Beam has never been Russia's strength as a team, so a gymnast like Kharenkova is very welcome.
4. Larisa Iordache, Romania, 18
Top result in 2014: European champion on floor exercise (tied with Vanessa Ferrari of Italy) and winner of four of the five titles (all-around Domantas Sabonis Jersey , vault, uneven bars, floor exercise) at the Romanian championships.
Signature skills: Iordache is known for exceptional skills on beam, including a tucked full and excellent triple twist dismount, as well as lively, expressive dance on floor exercise. If she's feeling good about it, she might also add a layout full on beam as well.
Why she's on the list: Though unquestionably the top Romanian gymnast of her generation Bojan Bogdanovic Jersey , Iordache lacks a major world or Olympic title. After a rough outing at the 2013 World Championships, where she managed only a bronze on floor exercise -- a meagre result by Romanian standards -- a healthy Iordache will be especially hungry for success at the world level this year.
5. Andreea Munteanu, Romania, 16
Top result in 2014: European team champion, Romanian champion on beam
Signature skill: A fantastic beam routine that could be the surprise of the championships.
Why she's on the list: What does it mean to be Romanian champion on beam? Quite a lot. Traditionally winning a medal on Romania's signature apparatus at the national championships has been harder than winning a medal there at the World Championships. In addition to defeating Iordache for the Romanian beam title, Munteanu's clean execution and difficult routines could be a surprise darkhorse all-around candidate.
Top result in 2014: Second on vault at the 2014 European Championships.
Signature skill: One of the smoothest double-twisting Yurchenko vaults in the world and lovely balletic presence on beam and floor exercise.
Why she's on the list: Fans will be delighted to see Pavlova, a contender for the 2004 and 2008 Olympic all-around titles for Russia, back in action on the world stage, even if her results are not expected to be what they once were. At 27 and competing on a repaired ACL, Pavlova is not capable of the difficulty she once was. Nevertheless, she has been representing her adopted country as well as possible as it tries to grow its international presence in gymnastics.
Top results in 2014: European champion on vault, European bronze medalist on floor, Swiss national all-around champion
Signature skill: A terrific powerful Rudi vault and springy tumbling, including a full-twisting double layout, on floor.
Why she's on the list: Steingruber has been on the cusp of winning a world medal since her worlds debut in 2011. Fourth-place finishes on both her best events at the 2013 worlds have motivated Steingruber to fight even harder this year.
8. Claudia Fragapane, Britain, 16
Top results in 2014: Fragapane became a heroine in England after becoming the first Englishwoman to win four gold medals at a Commonwealth Games (team Al Jefferson Jersey , all-around, vault and floor exercise) since 1930.
Signature skills: Exceptional tumbling skills on floor, including a full-twisting double layout first pass, and a standing back tuck with a full twist on beam.