Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics come to end in Baku

/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

The 22nd Baku Championships and Competitions for Various Age Groups in Rhythmic Gymnastics were held in Baku between November 13 and 14.

As many as 110 gymnasts, representing Baku Gymnastics School and the Republican Complex Sports School; the Ojag, Neftchi, Spartak, and Start sports clubs; and the Sarhadchi Olympic Sports Center, participated in the tournament.

Azerbaijani gymnastics achieved great results this year, stated Azer Novruzov, the sports manager of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, while addressing the opening ceremony.

“This year has been very significant for us. Firstly, I want to note the successful performance of our gymnasts at the 1st European Games. In addition, thanks to the efforts of Marina Durunda and Oleg Stepko, Azerbaijan won a place in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,” he remarked.

Later, the competitions were held by those in the "youngsters" category, born in 2005-2007, as well as “pre-juniors,” born in 2003-2004. The youngsters group demonstrated exercises without the use of apparatus, with balls, rounds with a rope, a hoop, and rounds without props, while the pre-juniors performed with hoops.

Among the gymnasts born in 2005, Elnara Jabbarova took the first place, with 40,583 points. The second place was claimed by Emiliya Nagizade, with 39,717 points, while Milana Akperova, with 35,833 points, placed third.

In the competitions among those born in 2006, Jahan Asadova, with 44,951 points, came first. The second place went to Nigar Usubova, and the third place was taken by Fidan Yusifzade.

The pedestal in the competition among athletes born in 2007 was a complete victory for representatives of the Ojag sports club. Leyla Demirova secured first place, while Fatime Mammadzade and Zarifa Ahmadli placed second and third respectively.

In the all-around games for gymnasts born between 2005 and 2007, the representatives of Ojag club won first place, followed by the Sarhadchi and Start clubs.

In the exercises with hoops, first and second places went to the athletes of Ojag and Sarhadchi clubs, respectively. The representatives of the Baku Gymnastics School placed third.

Rhythmic Gymnastics is developing rapidly in Azerbaijan, said gymnast Marina Durunda, who was among the audience.

“Children, young people, every year, are more willing to engage in this sport. More and more sport sections are being opened in many parts of the country, and it is very pleasing. Looking at these young people who consider me a star, I want to work hard. By this, I can show them that through working hard, one can achieve more,” she said.

The gymnast also shared her impressions of the World Championships, recently held in Stuttgart, and the country's place in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“We made a great deal of effort, over almost three years, to gain this opportunity. Finally, in September, at the World Championships in Stuttgart, I won and secured a spot. I believe I performed very well and did not disappoint my country, my coach, and the Gymnastics Federation. I will continue to work to adequately represent Azerbaijan at the Olympics. This is a great honor for me,” Durunda stressed.

The athletes added that ensuring a successful performance at the Olympics will require good results in the upcoming tournaments.

“Ahead is a new season with new competitions: the World Cup and the European Championship. I believe I should not relax before the Olympic Games. I should do my very best, so everyone can count on me,” she noted.