MEDALS FOR MOTIVATION

The national rhythmic gymnastics team of Azerbaijan, which continues to train in accordance with the lockdown rules, returned from the next international competition with good results.

Members of our team - silver medallists of the all-around European Championship - repeated their success in group exercises at the world championship in Sofia (Bulgaria), which was a qualification round for the upcoming Olympic Games.

After successful performance in the all-around, our team (Zeynab Hummetova, Daria Sorokina, Maryam Safarova, Laman Alimuradova and Yelizaveta Luzan) became the second strongest athletes of the tournament.

Our team also won a bronze medal in group exercises with three hoops and two pairs of clubs.

Despite the difficulties

Due to the pandemic, the athletes failed to have a normal training session for almost a year. This, undoubtedly, seriously affected their preparation for the tournament. That is why our award-winning athletes have found themselves behind the board of international competitions in most sport disciplines. Nevertheless, our national gymnastics teams adequately represent Azerbaijan in the international arena. In addition to one silver and one bronze medal won at the world championship in Sofia, the Azerbaijani national team won the sympathy of the referees by performing perfectly complex exercises. We underline that it was possible to win the medals only through the intense competition with the strongest teams of the world.

The head coach of the Azerbaijani rhythmic gymnastics team Mariana Vasileva expressed her satisfaction too: “The girls made us happy with a good result. For the first time, we won a silver medal in the all-around of the world championship. Despite the training difficulties associated with the existing pandemic situation, we are very pleased with the current result. It is a double significant achievement due to the extraordinary period we all are going through.”

According to Vasileva, the pandemic had a serious impact on athletes, both physically and psychologically. “But our core teams continue to train in line with the established rules. We are glad to have the existing conditions. Training is extremely important to achieve results. Our main team continues to train and will take part in the European championship, as well as in the Tokyo Olympics. The newly formed group exercise team is very strong. The result achieved at the world championship will encourage the athletes to achieve success in the next competitions. Not only we, but also our rivals face certain problems. To win a victory, one must overcome the difficulties. We are trying to move forward. In fact, this competition was the first tournament of the season."

The Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup should be held in Baku in May. It is also planned to hold a few other international competitions. “I am delighted to become qualified for the Tokyo Olympics. But the situation changed during the pandemic. After the European championships in November, we increased the level of difficulty in the exercises. Now our composition is more complex. Our athletes are young and motivated. We will continue training to get ready for intense competition. We will be prepared for physical and psychological challenges. We believe that we have worthy performances and new victories ahead,” Vasileva said.

Two medals boost motivation

Member of the Azerbaijani team in group exercises Zeynab Hummetova told us about the great support from the coaches during her performances in Bulgaria: “The pandemic has affected all athletes. Nevertheless, we must continue our performances. We won silver and bronze medals in Sofia. During this difficult time, our group exercise team returned home with two medals. The trainers supported us all the time. Our head coach Mariana Vasileva gave us the necessary instructions. The support of gymnastics fans was also very important. We are currently working on a new composition. We master our stunts. We will try to be among the winners at the next competitions. We miss big tournaments very much. Two medals at the world championship will boost our motivation."

Waiting for response

Currently, the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation (AGF) is awaiting a response from the Operations Staff under the Cabinet of Ministers regarding holding of the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Baku. Being a qualification round for the Tokyo Olympic Games, the tournament was planned to be held in Baku in 2020, but was later postponed to May 7-9, 2021 due to the pandemic.

Qualification sessions will take place on the first two days of the competition. Eight gymnasts performing in the individual program, as well as the teams in the group exercises with the highest points in the all-around, will advance to the final stage of the tournament. On the last day of the competition, the winners of the final stage will be determined.

According to tradition, the AGF Trophy Cup will be awarded to the athlete and group exercises team with the highest score.