A perfect run-up, a smooth flight, and ultimately immense joy. Coline Devillard lived a Saturday afternoon like a dream in Liverpool. It was there, in the North West of England, that the 22-year-old Frenchwoman ended 13 years of scarcity for tricolor gymnastics by taking the bronze medal at the world championships in the vault. We had not seen such a performance since Youna Dufournet. It was in 2009 in London, on the same apparatus.
Third at the end of the qualifications last Saturday, the gymnast from Saône-et-Loire therefore held her rank. With a total of 14,166 points (a first jump scored 14,500 and the second 13,833), she is only beaten by the untouchable Americans Jade Carey (1st with 14,516) and Jordan Chiles (2nd with 14,350).
Originally from Digoin, licensed since the start of the season at the Meaux club, Coline Devillard participated this week in her 3rd world championships. Horse jumping is his specialty. Champion of France 2014 and 2016, she won the title at the 2017 European Championships. Last month, the one who has been part of the French team for almost ten years took 3rd place in the French Open.