AZERBAIJANI GYMNASTS MAINTAIN THEIR RECORD

The Azerbaijani team went to the 30th World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship with high expectations. And they did not go unsupported. The attention given to the sport in the country, and the previous achievements of our graceful gymnasts led us to optimism. Thus, on the eve of the championship, the Azerbaijani team were among the favourites.

Aliya Qarayeva has become the inspiration of Azerbaijan's national team. The sportswoman, whose successes in prestigious competitions are often discussed, once again proved that she is a natural leader. Aliya was on the medal winners' podium three times for the first time at this World Championship,

Having successfully performed with the hoop, Aliya continued to impress fans and judges with her programmes with the ribbon and ball. An analysis of her performances at major tournaments shows that she performs the ball programme with special skill.

It was in this programme that she won a silver medal at last year's World Championship. Her bronze medal in the current championship represents no less value, considering the presence of such great competitors as the Russian gymnasts. It is no accident that Olympic Champions Yevgeniya Kanayeva and Darya Dmitriyeva took first and second places.

In the ribbon exercise Aliya Qarayeva also conceded only to Russians Darya Dmitriyeva and Darya Kondakova. Fine music and graceful movement couldn't fail to impress the judges, who awarded third place to the Azerbaijan gymnast.

On the whole, the World Championship proved Aliya Qarayeva's excellent professional development. Consistent performance and prize-winning results are now her trademark. The Russians were always favourites, but the three bronzes won successively by the Azerbaijani gymnast were pleasant surprises for all.

In many respects thanks to Aliya Qarayeva's successes, the Azerbaijani national team also took third place. Considerable merit also belongs to Anna Qurbanova and Samira Mustafayeva. Thus, Aliya Qarayeva's three individual bronzes and the one won by the team, have added a bright new page to the history of domestic gymnastics. We should note especially that the Azerbaijani rhythmic gymnasts even overtook the Ukrainian team. Russia took first place in the championship and the judges placed Belarus second.

Detailed analysis of Azerbaijani gymnasts' performances at World Championship shows that our gymnasts regularly finish in the top three. For the last three World Championship at least, the Azerbaijan team has finished in the first three. This shows that rhythmic gymnastics, which previously had no great tradition in Azerbaijan, is now one of the most dynamically developing of sports.

As for other results at this World Championship, we should point out that, despite a good performance, Aliya Qarayeva couldn't win the judges over in the all-round competition. She was awarded 27.300 points for her hoop programme, and 27.750 for the ball exercise. At the final stage, the Azerbaijan gymnast lost out very narrowly. As a result, gold and silver were won by Russians Yevgeniya Kanayeva and Darya Kondakova respectively, and the bronze was awarded to Belarus gymnast Melitina Staniouta.

The Azerbaijani group team, comprising Nigar Abdusalimova, Ceyla Quliyeva, Ayelita Xalafova, Anastasiya Prasolova, Stefani Trayanova and Yevgeniya Zhidkova, also demonstrated progress. The team finished seventh in the final standings. It has to be said that the group exercise competitions take place in conditions of tough rivalry. Despite this, the Azerbaijan gymnasts made their way to both finals, something that was beyond even the traditionally strong Bulgarian team. According to local experts, this was a fine result for a young team, with a view to prospects and progress, reports the website of the Azerbaijani Federation of Gymnastics.

Thus, the 30th World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship in Moscow can be considered a success for Azerbaijan. The next championship will take place in Montpellier, France, in 2011. In France the world's gymnasts will also compete for places in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.