REASSURING RESULTS

The Azerbaijan National Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship has been held outside the capital for the first time. Women gymnasts gathered in the northern pearl of Azerbaijan, Qusar, for the 18th Azerbaijani championship. 

A rhythmic gymnastics club opened in Qusar as part of the championship, and the banner of the Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation of Azerbaijan was symbolically passed by its secretary-general, Farid Qaibov, to the administration of the complex. He said that, in addition to Baku, clubs currently operate in Sumqayit, Ganca, Xirdalan and Goycay. A total of 56 girls enrolled at the Qusar club in the last two months. They are trained by the silver medalist in the junior group exercise at the 2009 European championship, Kamila Mammadova, from Baku. 

As for the championship proper, Aliya Qarayeva from the senior category (aged 18-25) became the absolute champion of Azerbaijan for the fourth time. The silver medal was won by Zeynab Cavadli and bronze by Anna Qurbanova. The three gymnasts ended all the final competitions in the same order. 

In the junior competition, first place in the combined events was won by Lala Yusifova, who won silverware in the last two European championships. Laman Hacizada finished second and Gulsum Safizada third. The same gymnasts won the individual exercises too: Lala Yusifova (ball, hoop), Gulsum Safizada (clubs) and Lala Hacizada (ribbon). 

The head coach of the Azerbaijan national rhythmic gymnastics team, Mariana Vasileva, is also quite pleased with the results of the championship. In an interview with our magazine she shared her assessments and answered questions about preparations for the forthcoming world championship. 

 The Azerbaijan National Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship has been held outside Baku, in Qusar, for the first time. Are you pleased with the level of its organization and results?

To be honest, I did not even expect the championship to be held at such a high level. Both the organizers and gymnasts deserve a great deal of praise. I didn't know the people of Qusar loved gymnastics so much. A crowded arena always stimulates athletes. This is why the gymnasts did their best. Of course, competition in Group A was very tough. 

Do you think the national championships can now be held in other parts of the country?

The Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, local executive authorities and the administration of the Qusar Olympic Complex did a lot to conduct the championship at a high level. I must say that the entire tournament was a sell-out. This means that there is interest in gymnastics outside Baku as well. The attention the government pays to sport can be seen in all of Azerbaijan's sports complexes. I have also been to the Olympic Sports Complex in Masalli, and I liked it very much too. I am aware that there is a beautiful complex in Quba as well. I think that the national championship could be very well organized in these places too. 

What about promising gymnasts? Have you spotted anyone?

Most of the gymnasts that entered the championship are my students. In Qusar we decided to test 12-year-old Laman Hacizada. She is not old enough to participate in the national championship yet, but we allowed her to do so to see what she is capable of. The results show that we made no mistake. Laman finished second. She is a future champion because she is very promising.

Does that mean that the national team will enter prestigious competitions with some new names soon?

You are right. Rhythmic gymnastics is developing fast in Azerbaijan. We have many promising juniors. They can be given a chance at next year's European championship. We can say even now that there is still competition in the national team. This is confirmed by the results of the national championship. Gulsum Safizada, for instance, finished third because of a mistake she made, and Laman Hacizada finished second. So no-one can be sure who will win the next competition. This is evidence of competition. And where there is competition, there is development.

Will there be any changes in the national team by the end of the year?

The national team cannot be changed overnight. The whole world is preparing for the London Olympics. After the Olympics some of our gymnasts will retire. This is a tradition. Over time more experienced gymnasts give way to their younger and promising colleagues. Current members of the national team have contributed a lot to the development of Azerbaijani gymnastics. They have shown what they can do by winning medals at difficult times.  

The most prestigious event of the year, the world championship, is in store for the national team. What are your expectations?

Azerbaijani gymnasts have ambitious objectives. It will be very difficult to win a medal in the world championship because everyone will be competing for licences for the London Olympics. To win a licence, our group exercise team must finish in the top six. I can say already that a total of 12-15 teams will vie for the six licences. As for the individual competitions, we have great hopes for Aliya Qarayeva, Anna Qurbanova and Zeynab Cavadli. Each of them must prove that they can win a licence. I think we can meet our goal. Aliya is used to tough competition, so she must show what she can do in the world championship as well. Zeynab and Anna must win another licence. Azerbaijani gymnasts won two licences for the Beijing Olympics. This time we must at least repeat that success. And then we will start preparing for the Olympics proper. I feel that our graceful gymnasts will win a medal in the London Olympics.