Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijani gymnasts won the World Cup in rhythmic gymnastics, held in Uzbek capital Tashkent on May 22-24.

The tournament brought together some 80 athletes from Azerbaijan, US, Belarus, Russia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, China, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Mexico.

"Azerbaijan was represented by 16 athletes in group and individual categories," the country's Gymnastics Federation (AGF) said.

The team including Sabina Abbasova, Siyana Vasileva, Aliya Pashayeva, Diana Doman, Aleksandra Platonova and Aynur Mustafayeva won the tournament, performing with ten maces.

Performing in individual standings with the maces, Azerbaijan's champion Marina Durunda won the bronze medal.

In the morning session of the competition, country's juniors Jala Pirieva and Zuleikha Ismayilova won two silver and one bronze medals.

Moreover, Natalya Bulanova and Yevgeniya Zhidkova from Azerbaijan attended the competition as referees.

Earlier, Azerbaijani Anna Pavlova won a silver medal at the 2014 European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships. AGF said Anna Pavlova ranked second in exercising with vault, gaining 14.583 points and leaving Romanian Larisa Iordache behind with 14.533 points. Swiss Giulia Steingruber won in this category by gaining 14.666 points.

Currently Azerbaijan's capital is preparing to host the 30th European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics. The breathtaking sports event, to be held on June 13-15, will bring together 258 gymnasts from about 33 countries competing for nine sets of awards in Baku.