After an impressive showing in podium training on Monday, the German women can’t wait to start the qualification competition on Friday. 

“It’s my first world championships and I’m so excited for Friday”, says the youngest team member, Emilie Petz.  “My family and friends are coming, so I cannot wait. I think it’s going to be amazing!”

Petz is enjoying competing alongside her more senior teammates. “It’s really cool to compete with Kim Bui and Elisabeth Seitz,” she says, adding that they give her advice and encouragement when needed.

No that the 16-year-old needs much advice. She is planning to show a new dismount from uneven bars that will be named after her if she lands it successfully.

Uneven bars seems to be one of the strongest apparatus for team Germany, with Olympic bronze medallist Sophie Scheder, and 2018 world bronze medallist Elisabeth Seitz also on the team.

“I’m really proud to represent my country here in Stuttgart,” says Scheder. “Of course, it’s motivating to know that the whole arena is cheering for you. I think it’s going to push us, and I hope we will be carried by the crowd.”

For Seitz, these championships mark her return to full fitness after four surgeries to her feet since 2013. It restricted her training mostly to uneven bars, where she now boasts a routine with a start value of 6.4.

“Everything went well,” she says after podium training. “I didn’t have a fall or a mistake, and I’m happy that I’m back and able to show everything I can.”

Sarah Voss is equally enthusiastic about the championships. “We are very well prepared. All our friends and family will be here. It will be an amazing feeling having such a big crowd behind us.”

Holding the team together with her experience is 30-year-old local Stuttgart girl, Kim Bui. She is excited about performing in her home town, but is keeping her eye on the target.

“We want to reach the team final, so this is our main goal for the team,” she says. “Anything else is just a bonus!”

Competition starts on Friday with the women’s team qualifications