TOKYO (AP) — Anna Li will be the alternate on the U.S. team at the world gymnastics championships after straining an abdominal muscle.
Li earned a spot on the U.S. team because of her huge scoring potential on uneven bars, the Americans’ weak spot. But she missed two days of training this week, and didn’t look as sharp during Tuesday’s podium training as she did at last month’s U.S. championships.
“We wanted to use her on bars, certainly, because her start value is so high,” national team coordinator Martha Karolyi said. “Unfortunately, she had a pulled abdominal muscle and her training wasn’t quite as good because of that result.”
Qualifying at worlds starts Friday. The Americans compete Saturday.
