FOUR WORLD CUP MEDALS

Azerbaijani gymnasts have gotten good scores at the Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup, held in Baku for the first time. The Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, a fantastic competitive organisation, allowed competitors from nineteen of the world's countries to show fans at the National Gymnastics Arena what they could do.

The audience could see three-time world champion Japanese gymnast Kenzo Shirai, whose performances were greeted warmly. The performances were accompanied by musical compositions related to the countries represented by the athletes. 

As for Azerbaijan, in the final for the parallel bars gymnast Oleg Stepko gave the result that spectators expected from him. Winning 15.55 points, he took the gold. The silver went to Ferhat Arican (15.35 points) of Turkey, and the bronze to Kaya Kazuma (15.25) of Japan.

Oleg's vaulting, which the judges rated at 14.65 points, was awarded the silver. The victor was Kenzo Shirai of Japan (14.975 points), while the bronze medal was won by Ahmet Onder of Turkey (14.4).

On the rings Oleg added another medal to the collection. Earning 14.7 points on them, he won the bronze. Victory on the rings went to another Turkish gymnast - Ibrahim Colak (15.45), with the silver going to Kaya Kazuma (14.8).

Women's gymnastics team member Marina Nekrasova's successful floor exercise won her the bronze medal (13.2). This showing by Marina will undoubtedly increase interest in women's artistic gymnastics.

Oleg Stepko's showing demonstrates his high level of professionalism. As in the European Games, Stepko got his highest score on the parallel bars. Without a doubt, this will motivate him even more before the qualifying tournament in Rio de Janeiro. The competition will also include Petro Pakhnyuk, who came in sixth at the World Cup in Baku.

Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation vice-president Altay Hasanov said he was pleased by the World Cup results in an interview with R+. 

"The important thing is that the Azerbaijani national anthem played at the National Gymnastic Arena. We were participants in a celebration of gymnastics, for which I would like to thank the First Lady of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation president Mehriban Aliyeva, as well as the members of the organizing committee, fans, and especially members of the media for covering the tournament," said Mr. Hasanov. 

He emphasized that the organizing committee put in the most effort it could to hold Baku's first Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup and achieved the best results possible.

"All the athletes, coaches, and officials were pleased by how the tournament was held. And we, just like the tournament, were pleased by the athletic scores. Naturally, we expected the best from Oleg Stepko. The parallel bars are, after all, Oleg's main athletic instrument and it was on them that he was able to get the gold. I'd also like to single out Marina Nekrasova's performance," said the vice-president of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation. 

At the same time Hasanov emphasized that the first day of competition was especially difficult. "The fans were so enthusiastic in their support of our athletes that sometimes it even hindered them. Performing at home is, on the one hand, easier, but on the other, it's a big responsibility. On the first day Oleg Stepko by no means did well at everything. But then he was able to get it together and win three medals. I hope that Oleg will step up his training and successfully perform at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro," he said, noting that with time the other athletes can also improve their scores. 

The vice-president of the federation singled out the work of the Organizing Committee for praise: "I didn't want to separately praise the work of the Organizing Committee, but their work is before our very eyes. This was our first experience in artistic gymnastics. We've held several high-ranking international tournaments in rhythmic gymnastics. And now we have experience in artistic gymnastics, too. The officials of the International Federation of Gymnastics and the technical committee were very pleased with the organization of the event. In particular, Morinari Watanabe of the executive committee of the International Committee of Gymnastics had high praise for the organization of the tournament. Many believe that the World Cup matched the level of the World Championship. And we are satisfied with our scores as well. So a celebration of gymnastics did take place, and I thank everyone for taking part in it," said Hasanov. 

Oleg Stepko, who won three metals, said that he had achieved what he had wanted. In his opinion, these medals will increase interest in artistic gymnastics: "We'll have a lot of competitions before the Olympics. We know what mistakes we've made and we'll work on them to improve our scores at other World Challenge Cups. We achieved the goals we had set before the competition in Baku. I'd like to thank all the fans, whose support has been very important," said Oleg.

As for his own scores, Stepko said he had met most of his challenges: "I can say that if you work hard at something, you'll get there. I'm satisfied with my results and know what mistakes I need to work on. I can say that I was 70 per cent prepared for the competition. I made it into the finals for the rings and high bar, but I should have made it into the finals for the floor exercises and the pommel horse, too. In a month a competition will take place in Qatar. I'm going to correct my shortcomings there."

Coming up, on March 5-6 the Trampoline Gymnastics World Cup will be held at the National Gymnastic Arena. This competition is being held in Azerbaijan for the first time as well, and will open the world season for trampoline gymnastics. Seventy-eight athletes - 46 men and 32 women - from 18 countries will take part, performing both individual and synchronized jumps. Azerbaijan will be represented at the competition by European Games bronze prize-winner Ilya Grishin, winner of the Azerbaijani Open Oleg Piunov, as well as Dmitrij Fedorovsky and Ruslan Agamirov. In the women's competitions Azerbaijan will be represented by European Games finalists Svetlana Makshtarova and Sabina Zaytseva.