Mustafina Wins First Women's Gold For Russia

© RIA Novosti . Alexei Filippov / Go to the mediabankAliya Mustafina
Aliya Mustafina - Sputnik International
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Russia's Aliya Mustafina became the Olympic champion in women's uneven bars on Monday.

(UPDATES with quotes, background)

Russia's Aliya Mustafina became the Olympic champion in women's uneven bars on Monday.

Mustafina scored 16.133 score, beating reigning Chinese Olympic champion He Kexin, who took silver with 15.933 points.

"I was hoping very much to win and I was very happy with my routine. I didn't know what to expect of myself today, I did my own thing," Mustafina said.

The Russian had to overcome adversity before the games thanks to a cruciate ligament injury, and said that six months before, her success would have seemed unbelievable.

"I did not believe I could do it. I was nowhere near in the shape I am now," she said.

It was the first gymnastics gold for Russia in London and also the first women's gold for the country.

Beth Tweddle from Great Britain took bronze, scoring 15.916 despite a poor landing.

""I saw Beth landed badly and I thought I had to just go for it," Mustafina said.

Despite stumbling on her landing, three-time world champion Tweddle said she was "over the moon" to win a medal at her home Olympics, especially considering a recent injury crisis.

"Twelve weeks ago I couldn't think about competing here. I cried myself to sleep back then because I thought it was the end of my Olympics. Tonight it will be easy to sleep, because I have a medal," she said.

 

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