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"Remember," he continued, lifting one arm to demonstrate, "when you block"—he arched his chest and tapped it—"get to the front and middle of the table to gain proper flight with a vertical takeoff."
I listened closely as I put on my wrist guards then flexed my wrists and fingers. The block was going to hurt. For the most part, my elbow had healed from the dislocation. It was still tender here and there, but not all that bad. I was careful during qualifications, but I knew after this event it was going to be sore. All my power was going into my block that required straight arms and a strong pop throughout the arm. I was going to put everything I had into this block.
"Strong run, low and long, we want power when you take off."
"Got it."
I did. I had it. I imagined myself doing exactly what he said.
I was the last to take my turn for this rotation. The other athletes from my team had competed already with USA dropping to third, just a fraction of a point that separated us from second. It wasn't due to my teammates, though; they hadn't made severe mistakes. It was quite the opposite, actually, and they’d done very well. The other countries were just better in that rotation. Plain and simple.
I didn't want to let my hope slip, so I stayed blindly optimistic. My vault would be the deciding factor if we'd go up to second or stay in third. I was confident enough to carry my team to second.
I pulled back the Velcro to loosen it for a moment so my hands could breathe. I woke this morning to swollen wrists but ignored them. I could crumple when I got back to the States.
Not today, kidney disease, not today.
"Go chalk up," Kova said. "I will adjust the springboard."
"See you on the flip side."
I turned around to walk in the opposite direction but halted when I heard Kova laugh under his breath. I glanced over my shoulder and saw that he was already watching me with genuine pride in his eyes. His hands were propped on his hips and his expression radiated with content. He was looking at me.
My lips twitched. Turning back around, I walked to the end of the runway. I bounced lightly on my toes and shook out my fingers, my head bobbed from side to side. I refused to look into the stands and only kept my eyes on the vault and my coach. Bring on the tunnel vision. My fingers felt a little numb, so I retightened my brace. I swung my arms around in circles and shook my legs out. The green light was given, and I took a deep breath.
This was it.
Exhaling, I drowned out the sound again and pretended I was the only person in the room. I looked down and double checked I was standing eighty-seven feet back. I lifted my right arm to salute the judges then looked only at the vault and exhaled again. My heart was pumping so fast it was all I could hear. I had one chance to stick this dismount and only a few seconds left to complete it as perfectly as I could. I stomped my feet in the chalk once more, then tapped one pointed toe in front of me and lifted my arms in front of me.
Inhale, exhale.
Rising up on my toes, I licked my lips and swallowed. I leaned forward and drew in a lungful of air, then took off running as fast as my legs could take me. The room grew eerily quiet as I neared the apparatus, the cool air kissed over my skin.
Kova's last-minute suggestions played back in my mind. I heard his voice and applied what he said. My body moved of its own accord the moment my feet slammed into the springboard, rotating back onto the horse. Chest arched and hips flat, my legs were glued together as I blocked the hardest I possibly could manage, grunting from the impact. I took flight and reached as high as I could for maximum height and began twisting while I rotated two back layouts at the same time. After thousands of hours of practicing this skill, my body could do it on its own. I stayed tight and timed the right millisecond to open up, praying I got it right.
Core muscles tight, I opened my arms as my tiptoes touched the landing mat. Knees bent slightly for impact so I didn't hyperextend them, I stuck my landing perfectly and raised my arms in the air, holding my position to prove no hop was coming next.
The crowd exploded and a huge smile spread across my lips. I was so ecstatic that I almost started to laugh. I saluted the judges once more then turned and spotted Coach Elena in the stands behind a wall where the Olympic coaches were, right behind where Team USA was currently sitting. She was pumping her fist and shouting her happiness and showing the first smile I'd ever seen her give me.
My cheeks burned with joy as I made my way down the stairs into Kova's bear hug. He kissed my temple and said a slew of things in Russian that I assumed were praises before putting me on my feet. My teammates rushed over, squeezing hugs and cheers and clapping from all around. They were already dressed in their sweats to rotate.
Glancing over my shoulder, I turned around waiting for my score when I spotted Kova standing on his tiptoes talking to Coach Elena who was bent over the railing. She looked my way as she spoke to Kova, who nodded his head in return. He tapped the railing twice with his palm and pushed off, walking back toward me with determination. Before I could ask him anything, my score was up.
My jaw dropped in total shock. Not only was it nearly perfect, I had the highest scored vault of the competition so far. Only two tenths away from perfection. I'd take it.
I was still in shock when the girls gave me a group hug, springing on their toes. Gymnastics was an individual sport as much as it was a team sport.
Giggling, I covered my mouth with my hands and shot a glance around the room. Home flags waved though the air, faces were painted various colors, and signs raised above heads to show support for a sport that easily created so much doubt. It was my first real time looking at the beaming faces who'd traveled across the world to be here. I took it all in, appreciation invigorating my heart. I still couldn't believe I had made it to the Olympics.
Since I really wanted to compete in the all-around tomorrow, I had to compete on vault twice today. One for the team, the other to qualify for the all-around.
"Number one, Ria," Kova whispered, patting my shoulder after I executed my second vault and finished with nearly an identical score. "Get your bag and let us go to floor."
I grinned. I was first in vault by a large margin. A few steps and I was grabbing my duffle and quickly speeding up my pace. Coach Elena was hanging over the ledge and put her hand out when she saw I was coming her way. I smiled and rushed over to her, slapping her palm with a high five.
"Excellent job, well done," she said, her words stiff through her Ukrainian accent.
This was the best day of my life. I wondered if I'd ever feel anything like this again one day.
