"Strong core and stay tight," he said. "Drive your heels way down on the first tap and then drive them again just before the release." I nodded furiously, adrenaline spiking my pulse. I was getting excited to perform. "Hollow through the swing." He instructed by imitating what I needed to do and pointing to his chest. "Just a little longer, then drive to initiate the rotation."
"Got it."
"Straight lines. Stick your handstands. This is your event, Ria. Do not let anyone take it from you. Own it."
Kova clapped my back and then moved to stand parallel to the uneven bars. Piling on a bit more chalk, I blew on my palms and a cloud of white dust appeared before me. I stepped in front of the low bar with my foot pointed in front of me and shook my fingers out. I met Kova’s eyes to center my balance, and I inhaled, pulling the air deep into my stomach, then exhaled.
The bell sounded. He dipped his chin.
It was go time.
Mounting the low bar, I did a kip cast to a handstand and let muscle memory take over. I performed my heart out, free flowing from bar to bar in my own element, making sure I stuck my handstands and I had clean lines. As I geared up to release to the low bar, Kova stepped into the side and put his arm out to spot me.
Gripping the bar tightly, chalk dust floated in my face as I came down swinging into another kip, then to a free hip circle before I let go and twisted backward to reach for the high bar. I moved quietly, flowing freely into a handstand. I stuck it, then fell backwards, rotating with only one arm—my bad one—and held on for dear life as I swung around the bar to stick my handstand. This was a skill worth more points than most and it had to be executed perfectly to get the value for difficulty, otherwise it would be all for nothing. My fingers gripped the bar while I gritted my teeth from the strain in my ligaments.
Kova took another step closer to spot me as I completed a pirouette. I rotated my hands once more before I fell forward, tapping into a giant, then tapping again like Kova said to, and reached for my release.
I whipped my hips for momentum to take flight and flew backwards in a pike position, reaching for the bar. My heart stopped for a split second as my toes glided past the bar and I came down. Kova made a fist and pumped it in excitement, then moved out of the way and back to the waiting area so I could complete my routine. I had two more releases that took my breath away before I was circling the high bar to complete two giants. I'd worked on this dismount long and hard with Kova to know when I had to release.
Coming down on the second rotation, I waited until my toes were parallel with the bar and I released my hold. The bar ricocheted violently behind me as I twisted two times with a straight body to complete a double twisting double layout. This dismount was one of the hardest dismounts to complete. It required a straight body going against pressure, and I'd worked endlessly with him to perfect it.
Spotting for the ground, my arms came out in front of me. Feet together, I landed on the mat with only the tiniest hop. Before I could raise my arms, I heard Kova yell his excitement, followed by Madeline shouting. I smiled from ear to ear as I saluted the judges, then I ran off the podium to my coaches. I hugged both and waited with them for my score to post.
I went into this routine with a different mindset than I had vault. I let myself go, living in the moment and loving the sport that had captivated my heart from a young age. I didn't hold back. I didn't worry. I just let my body feel.
I knew it had a lot to do with Kova. It was always him. He sensed my reluctance, my fears, my worries. I had to wonder how I would do without him by my side. I'd like to think I'd perform the same, but honestly, I wasn't sure.
I pulled my buckles back and slipped my grips off.
"How's your arm?" Madeline asked.
"Killing me," I said, panting. "It was the reverse grip and the back giant that did it. I thought I was going to end up tearing my shoulder all the way down. I'm going to need to ice it tonight to compete tomorrow."
"I'll make sure you have everything you need when you go into physical therapy."
Luckily, I had brought a small bottle of Motrin with me. I planned to pop six pills the moment I got back to my hotel room. I couldn't tell anyone, though. I'd probably get yelled at, but this was one of those desperate moments that required it.
I exhaled a heavy breath. I had no idea how the hell I even got through that routine.
"Thanks, Madeline," I said when the crowd erupted.
We glanced at the black screen high above us and looked for my name. With only a few deductions, I was still in second place with a large margin separating me from third. I couldn't believe it. I stared, afraid it would all go away if I blinked. Falling on that first vault was going to cost me today, but I knew in my gut going forward I'd excel from here on out. That was what I hoped anyway.
"Fantastic," Madeline said, smiling. "Keep it up."
She pulled her notebook from under her arm and strode away, writing in it as she did. Probably making a note of the items I'd need for therapy.
"How do you feel?" Kova asked. His hands were clasped behind his back.
I peered up at him and lifted one corner of my mouth into a smile. "Aside from my dangling dead limb, I feel good. Really good, actually. More confident than before."
"Good. I am glad. You should be happy while you are here. You earned it. Pack up and let us move onto beam."
Kova turned to leave, but I called his name.
"Wait."
Anxiety swirled in my blood. I should've waited, but I had to say something. It was stupid to feel this way when I'd been alone with Kova before, but I was too nervous to ask him to meet me tonight. We hadn't had a chance to talk and I really wanted to. We needed to.