Azerbaijan Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship winners named
By Sabina Idayatova
The winners of the 20th Azerbaijan Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship
which was held in Ismayill were named on November 19.
The gymnasts competed for medals in individual and in all-around
performances.
Some 16 gymnasts, both adults and children ages 12-15 took part in
the competition.
Among the children, the first place went to Jala Piriyeva, while
Zuleykha Ismayilova took the second place, and Beyza Demir took the
third place.
Among the adults, the first place went to Marina Durunda, the
second place went to Lala Yusifova and Ayshan Bayramova took the
third place.
Marina Durunda, the holder of the first place among adults
expressed her satisfaction at Ismayilli`s warm greeting and thanked
the city for the cheerful reception of their performance. "Now our
main goal is to be number one not only in Azerbaijan, but also in
the international arena. This is exactly what our efforts will be
directed at," she said.
"I think I still need to work on myself and reach my full
potential. As you know, it is the end of the season. We will work
on new ideas, new exercises. I believe the next step will be the
European Championship which we'll be held in Baku," winner of the
second place Lala Yusifova said.
Along with the gymnasts of the Republican comprehensive sports
school and Baku Flames club, the representatives of Baku Gymnastics
School and Neftchi, Spartak, and Sarhadchi clubs also took part at
the event.
Rhythmic gymnastics was particularly boosted after Azerbaijani
First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva became the president of Azerbaijan's
Gymnastics Federation in 2002 and involved herself in developing
and popularizing gymnastics sports disciplines in Azerbaijan.
Three World Cup events (2003, 2004 and 2005), the World
Championships (2005), two European Championships (2007, 2009) and
several International competitions in rhythmic gymnastics were
organized in Baku. Azerbaijani gymnasts became European Champions,
won medals at the World Championships, and participated in Olympic
Games.
One of the objectives of the Federation is the development of
gymnastics not only in Baku but also in different Azerbaijani
regions. By opening several gymnastic centers outside the capital
in the last few years, the gymnasts have produced great results as
part of this program for Azerbaijan.
Along with local organizations, AGF is also an affiliated member of
International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and European Union of
Gymnastics (UEG).
Azerbaijan has produced many famous talented gymnasts including
Valery Belenky, Aliya Garayeva, Anna Gurbanova, Dinara Gimatova,
etc.