Azerbaijani gymnasts win gold and silver in Kazakhstan
By Sabina Idayatova
Young Azerbaijani gymnast Jala Piriyeva became the absolute winner of an international tournament held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, the prize gained by Kazakh athlete Aliya Yusupova in the past.
According to the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, the victory of the 13-year old Baku athlete over her peers from many other countries became apparent after the initial performances.
Her teammate Zuleykha Ismailova received only the prize for the "Will to win".
For the second time the Azerbaijani flag was raised in the sports complex in honor of Veronica Omarova (born in 1999). Omarova stopped short of gaining a few fractions of one point to beat Russian opponent Yulia Bravikova. As a result the 14-year-old gymnast gained silver in Shymkent.
Another international tournament was held in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, with the participation of four young athletes from "Baku". The only medal was brought to the club by Rahima Aslanli (born in 2005), sharing the second place with a Russian gymnast. Jamila Ibrahimova (born 2006) stopped short of ascending to the podium, while Narmina Samadova (2004) was the 5th and Gunel Manafli (2002) closed the top ten.
Meanwhile, the 20th national championship in rhythmic gymnastics was scheduled for June 24-25. The competition will be joined by a total of 133 individual gymnasts who will be divided into 6 age categories and 7 groups. They are seniors and juniors as well as contenders born in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Athletes will compete for medals only in the all-around. Along with athletes of Neftchi and Baku Gymnastics School, Republican Sports Complex School, Spartak, Sarhadchi and Baku sports communities, Children and Youth Creativity Center of Nizami district, athletes from Khirdalan Gusar, Ganja, Sumgayit will participate at the competition. Representatives of Ismailli will show their skills in a gala concert dedicated to the European champion, vice champion of the world, two-time participant of the Olympic Games and five-time absolute champion of Azerbaijan, Aliya Garayeva`s farewell to big sports.