Epke Zonderland knows: who can fly is untouchable

Epke Zonderland has been a great gymnast for more than a decade on a 2.78 meter high horizontal post supported by four steel cables. And that does not stop, the 32-year-old Frisian celebrated Saturday in Doha where, after two European titles and one Olympic title, he became world champion on this plane for the third time. A unique.

Zonderland and the horizontal bar are intimately linked. This simple rod on which the gymnast defies all the laws of gravity has made him a unique athlete. Because Zonderland can do something that its competitors almost never risk to take to the horizontal bar: fly to the extreme.

As the only gymnast in the world, he understands the art of tying four flying elements – two by two – within one exercise. The other gymnasts do not even start with that; they are stunned at the thought alone. One or two separate exhaust elements, that's what you want, but combine? Competition is too risky.

But Zonderland is a somewhat stubborn Frisian, who decided to tackle it in a different way with the approach of the 2012 Olympics in London. His stationary power has led him to exploit this advantage and to master the Olympic power.

See also: At Epke, the feeling slowly returns.

The Keurmerk van Zonderland

In consultation with his trainer Daniel Knibbeler, Zonderland invented an exercise in which he designed the three elements Cassina Escape (double pedal spread out thoroughly). ), Kolman (double hurksalto with screws) and Kovac (double hurksalto) coupled. He presented a vertiginous show in London. Never shown. The gymnast won the gold. Zonderland had its distinctive mark.

The uniqueness was to be slightly modified in the following years, for the simple reason that three consecutive flight elements gave less bonus points in the subsequent, adapted judgment. The gymnast decided to increase the number of flights to four, but divide them into two parts. Less risky, but certainly so valuable for the score. To the confidence Cassina, Kolman and Kovac, he added the Gaylord II (a somersault at an angle after which he holds the bar in the handle).

It goes like this. After two relatively simple elements, Zonderland takes the lead and makes his way to a Cassina in combination with a Kolman. High-level acrobatics, to which spectators turn several times for ooohs and aaahs. Once back on the stick, Zonderland resumes his speed to run consecutively Kovac and Gaylord II. The arms and legs seem to float in the air like unequal elements, but Zonderland manages to find the bar to finish his exercise.

By returning to power, Zonderland confirms not only his unique talent, but also his talent. candidature for a second Olympic title.

Oh yes, one more thing: he must remain standing when he jumps. But literally, without making a pass, otherwise an inexpensive deduction will follow. And every point out of 10 can make the difference in high level gymnasts. Say what in Zonderland. A year ago, at the World Championships in Montreal, he had misunderstood the last combination of flights and could only stand at the bar with one arm. It looked spectacular, but it led to the deduction of points. The result: money instead of gold

Misgreep

Even though he is able to fly, even for the trained gymnast, his exercises are not without risk. Even a Zonderland sometimes understands badly and falls off the baton. This happened to him two years ago during the final at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. A painful moment in his career. And this had happened to him earlier in 2015 at the European Championships in Montpellier.

These wrongs have never discouraged the Zonderland. And certainly, never doubt the continuation of his career, although it was difficult to combine his studies with medicine. Frisian went on again and again and again and again. Because gymnastics at the time of stretching is a drug for him, an addiction difficult to trigger. Not even after recently graduating as a doctor and also becoming the father of his son Bert. It took him time to leave his home and leave for Qatar shortly after birth, but he did, more relaxed than ever.

Read also: Epke can fly five times if it is necessary

A new takeover to take power

This relaxation translated Saturday almost perfect exercise. While Zonderland wanted to stay in the shadows, he remained balanced in Doha and performed a nearly flawless exercise, rewarding 15,100 points. As the only finalist superior to 15 points. Even three tenths of a point more than the Japanese emperor among the gymnasts, Kohei Uchimura. Wesley Sneijder plays in Qatar for the first time, with Wesley Sneijder's heartfelt congratulations behind the scenes.

By returning to power, Zonderland confirms not only his unique talent, but also his candidacy for a second Olympic title. The special stretch in this form, with this exercise, with this self-confidence in two years at the Tokyo Games, is the favorite for gold. And the pressure that implies? The experienced routine is now immune to this. Because he also knows: who can fly is untouchable.