2018 in review: January to April

Over three days we’ll look back on an exciting and eventful gymnastics year! Today our focus is on the first 4 months …

January

• On the 1^st January, the newlyelected UEG authorities officially started their four-year term. We said goodbye to Georges Guelzec who is replaced as President by Farid Gayibov, and wished the entire team a successful cooperation.

 

• The Bulgarian Gymnastics Federation announced with great sadness that Stoyan Koev passed away. Stoyan Koev who was born on 31 October 1931, was a Master of Sport, the best Bulgarian gymnast of the 50s and participant in European and World Championships and 3 Olympiads Helsinki, Melbourne and Rome. He was the Head coach of the Bulgarian National Men’s Team from 1968 to 1970.

 

• Upon request from the Spanish Gymnastics Federation, the host city of the 2018 Rhythmic Europeans has been changed to Guadalajara. The dates stay the same: 1 to 3 June.

 

• The new authorities got to work immediately, creating a development programme that aims to assist the 50 member Federations.  

 

• European all-around Champion Oleg Verniaiev (UKR) underwent a much-needed surgery to fix a lingering shoulder injury. While he’s there, he operated on his leg as well.

 

• UEG organised its first ever ‘European Gymnast of the Year’ elections. All 50 member federations and the Technical Committees could nominate their favourites. A selection was made and polls were opened where fans could vote. With over 25.000 votes spread over 5 categories, this first edition was a huge success! The winners were: Catalina Ponor (Female gymnast), Eleftherios Petrounias (Male gymnast and Outstanding Performance), Rasmus Steffensen (Rising Star) and Olympiada Thrakemakedonon (Team). Congratulations!

 

• 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Liubou Charkashyna and her husband Viktor welcomed a baby girl, Vera, into this world. Congratulations to the young family!
• UEG President Farid Gayibov and General Director Lisa Worthmann met with FIG President Morinari Watanabe, General Secretary André Gueisbuhler and Deputy General Secretary Nicolas Buompane at the FIG headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) on Monday. The two parties stress the need to ensure uniformity between international and continental rules.  Mr. Watanabe said: “It was a pleasure to talk with Farid. I am certain that the FIG will have a good collaboration with the UEG.” The UEG President added: 

• Krasimir Dunev was reelected as President of the Bulgarian Gymnastics Federation. The General Assembly appointed Mr. Iordan Iovtchev as Secretary General.

 

February

• British tumbler Yasmin Taite announced her retirement after unfortunately suffering an injury. “I have had the most incredible opportunities getting to travel the world, represent and win medals for my country and make lifelong friends. Gymnastics is more than just a sport, it became my second family which is why I will be continuing in a coaching capacity and hopefully inspire many children to be the best they can. I will miss the sport sooo much, but I’m sure I’ll be bouncing back again soon for fun.”

 

• On the eve of the first Rhythmic Gymnastics Grand Prix event of the year, UEG organised the qualification event for the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires (ARG) in October. Moscow hosted an excellent event which saw 56 gymnasts from 33 countries battle it out for 18 quota places. Only gymnasts born in 2003 were eligible and each country could earn only 1 spot. 2016 European junior Champion Polina Shmatko (RUS) pulled out last minute because of a toe injury suffered in training. She was replaced by teammate Anastasia Sergeeva who easily won the all-around with 62.300. More than a point ahead of Ukraine’s Khrystyna Pohranychna who did post the highest score of the competition, a 16.900 with hoop. The places earned are non-nominative, meaning that the federation can still decide which gymnast to send to the Games. Countries that qualify 1 gymnast are:  Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Israel, Bulgaria, Italy, Armenia, Finland, Azerbaijan, France, Romania, Spain, Georgia, Cyprus, Germany, Norway, Greece and Estonia. Congratulations!

• After the successful completion of the first year of cooperation, UEG and SmartScoring came to an agreement that SmartScoring will remain UEG’s Global Partner. The Azerbaijani scoring company will continue to support UEG also in 2018 with a financial contribution and by providing the scoring system for our European Championships. The original contract has even been extended as SmartScoring will donate a significant amount towards the idea of a development programme which will be launched this year. The Gymtv.online platform will be further developed to ensure that our Championships will be available to watch and relive online.

March

• European allaround bronze medallist James Hall finished second in the American Cup, the first all-around World Cup of the season. He trailed Yul Moldauer by 2,5 points but edged Ukraine’s Petro Pakhniuk for the silver medal.

 

• The second Acrobatic Gymnastics World Cup of the year, held in Maia (POR) proved hugely successful for Belgium and Russia. Belgium grabbed three gold medals, becoming the most successful nation in the medal table. ViceEuropean Champions Lore Vanden Berghe and Noémie Lammertyn smashed the field in the women’s pairs competition, scoring an impressive 9.350 for artistry which, combined with top difficulty and execution, resulted in their second World Cup victory this season. Compatriots Robin Casse and Kilian Goffaux followed their example as did men’s group of Jonas Anthoon, Hannes Garre, Bram Geusens and Noam Patel. Russia sent only 1 of their European Champions formations: the women’s group featuring Polina Plastinina, Ksenia Zagoskina and Daria Chebulanka. These junior World Champions held off a strong challenge by Belarussians Yulia Ivonchyk, Veranika Nabokina and Karina Sandovich for the gold medal. In the mixed pairs competition, Kirill Startsev and Viktoria Aksenova were the only ones to pass the mark of 30 points, beating their compatriots Ivan Nesterenko and Elena Murashko by almost a full point.

 

• As a gesture towards its member Federations, UEG will exceptionally not charge entry fees for the senior gymnasts (€ 150 per gymnast) for the 2018 Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics European Championships in Glasgow (GBR). This decision has been made by the Executive Committee following several discussions in previous meetings that not only UEG should benefit financially from the participation in the multisports event Glasgow 2018, but the National Federations should also benefit from it. This point of view was also taken into consideration for the negotiations with the host city Glasgow. The Senior Artistic Gymnastics European Championships are UEG’s core product in the public interest and as one of the top Olympic sports also an important asset for the success of this new multi-sports event.

 

Russia’s David Belyavksiy performed 6 solid routines en route to the all-around victory at the World Cup event in Stuttgart. His highest score of the day came on pommel horse, the event on which he is the reigning European Champion. In the women’s competition, less than a tenth difference gave China’s Zhang Jin the edge over crowd favourite Eli Seitz of Germany, 53.431 – 53-332. Seitz was nonetheless ecstatic with her silver medal: 

• Angelina Melnikova (RUS) wins the Allaround World Cup in Birmingham (GBR) while her teammate Nikita Nagornyy takes silver. British gymnasts Alice Kinsella and James Hall both claim bronze.

 

• The UEG’s Presidential Board awarded the organisation of the third Executive Committee meeting this year to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

 

• With the retirement of several stars and the Aerobics World Championships to be held in June, the fans looked at the World Cup in Cantanhede (POR) with great interest. European Champion Daniel Bali proved as strong as ever, posting the highest score of the finals, 22.800. This gave him an advantage of seven tenths over Brazil’s Lucas Santiago with reigning World Champion Mizuki Saito in third place. Bali was back in action in the mixed pairs final, with new partner Fanni Mazacs. They performed a wonderful routine but had to settle for silver behind World Champions Michela Castoldi and Davide Donati. The Italians who struggled in 2017, seemed to have regained their fine form. Russians Elena Ivanova, Anastasia Ziubina and Ekaterina Pykhtova grabbed two gold medals, once for their trio performance and then joined by Polina Amosenok and Ekaterina Baranova in the group final, ahead of Italy and Bulgaria. In the individual women’s final, Japan’s Riri Kitazumi cruised to victory, almost a point ahead of Bulgaria’s Darina Pashova and Russia’s Polina Amosenok.

 

April

• The Rhythmic World Cup season kicked off in Sofia over the Easter weekend where Aleksandra Soldatova and Ekaterina Selezneva replaced the Averina twins last minute. In qualifications, Soldatova scored the highest individual score, a 19.500 with ball. Trailing Selezneva at the half-way stage, Soldatova overtook her teammate to take the all-around title with 72.100 to Selezneva’s 71.350. World all-around bronze medallist Linoy Ashram claimed the bronze medal here as well. In event finals, Soldatova added two gold medals (hoop and ball) and one bronze (clubs). Selezneva claimed silver with ball and bronze with ribbon. The Bulgarian crowd was delighted by their compatriots Katrin Taseva, who won 4 medals including the gold with clubs, and Boryana Kaleyn, who scored the bronze with hoop. Linoy Ashram also claimed a gold medal, for her expressive ribbon routine and Vlada Nikolchenko (UKR) took silver with clubs, continuing to make a name for herself this season. In the group competition, the open-ended difficulty has proved to be a challenge eagerly accepted by coaches, choreographers and gymnasts alike. The Bulgarian group showed a whopping 12.800 difficulty score in qualification, easily winning the all-around title and the gold with 5 hoops. With 3 balls and 2 ropes they settled for bronze behind Japan and Italy.

• Our Global partner SmartScoring launched SmartScoring’s Shooting Star award! This award will be given to one male and one female gymnast at each European Championships. Beginning at the Trampoline Europeans in Baku (AZE), this award will go to a gymnast who doesn’t necessarily score the highest marks but stands out because of an exceptional performance, a remarkable comeback from injury, etc. The winners will be chosen by a selection committee consisting of SmartScoring, the UEG President, Director and Media Manager. SmartScoring’s Emin Mukhtarov explains: “At each gymnastics competition we learn the stories of so many exceptional athletes who sacrifice a lot for their sport. Their drive and perseverance are an example to us all. That’s why we wanted to honour those stars that maybe don’t make it onto the medal podium. When you see a shooting star, you can make a wish. It’s a lucky charm.”

 

• At the Trampoline Europeans in Baku (AZE), the first senior finals were in the Trampoline team competition. Belarus comfortably jumped to victory in the women’s final even after Maria Makharynskaya’s early exit. 2014 European Champion Hanna Hancharova showed her teammates how to control their nerves, beating France by more than 2 points. The French team had the extra pressure of competing with only three gymnasts. They performed consistently to clinch a well-deserved silver medal. Russia lost their reserve early on when Irina Kundius landed in the spotters’ arms. Yana Pavlova’s effort to save the day came too late although she did score the highest mark of the entire final. To their own surprise and absolute delight, the Portuguese women overtook Russia to claim the bronze medal.

• In the men’s competition the teams from Russia and Belarus both excelled, delivering a thrilling final. Eternal rivals Hancharou and Ushakov were the only gymnasts to score above 60 points, 61.530 – 60.495 respectively. Their temmates followed in their footsteps, not missing a single routine. Last performer Aleh Rabtsau secured the gold for Belarus, 6 tenths ahead of Russia. Ukraine took the bronze medal.

 

• The last performer in Individual Trampoline, Yana Pavlova overtook the entire field, confirming the same order on the podium as two years ago in Valladolid, with Hanna Hancharova (BLR) taking silver and Great Britain’s Kat Driscoll bronze. In the men’s competition Portugal Diogo Ganchinho claimed the big title he has been dreaming of for a long time. His teammates honoured him beautifully by singing the national anthem at the top of their lungs. The pure joy with which Ganchinho accepted his medal shows that hard work does pay off. Mikita Ilyinyikh (BLR) made a successful transition to the senior level as he claimed the silver. Allan Morante beat teammate Sebastien Martiny for the bronze medal.

• The Belarussian juniors have been top of their game these Championships, showing off the deep pool of talent they have at home. Katsiaryna Yarshova and Aliaksandra Staliarova went 12 in the girls’ competition while Ivan Litvinoch returns home with the gold in the boys’ category. Great Britain confirmed they are keen to keep up their trampoline success: Corey Walkes and Andrew Stamp collected silver and bronze. Greece’s Anastasia Papadimitriou gave her country a second bronze medal.

 

• Belarus totally dominated the synchro competition, winning all 4 gold medals! Defending Champion Vlad Hancharou paired with Aleh Rabtsau to successfully defend the title he won with Mikalai Kazak two year ago. Wife Hanna teamed up with Maria Makharynskaya for the victory and the junior individual winners also claimed gold here. The Baku crowd went through the roof when they realised their synchro pair, Veronika Zemlianaia and Sviatlana Makshtarova, won the silver medal ahead of Ukraine!

 

• Major upset in Double MiniTrampoline when European and World Champion Mikhail Zalomin was off on his second pass, dropping him to fifth place. The title went to his equally talented teammate Vasili Makarski. In the women’s competition the top qualifier did not disappoint. Great Britain’s Kirsty Way produced two wonderful series to claim the gold. She surely got her inspiration from the victory of her younger teammate Ryan Devine in the junior category just an hour before. The organisers of the next Trampoline Europeans, Sweden, lived up to their DMT reputation: 2016 Champion Lina Sjoeberg took the bronze and Jonas Nordfors did one better, silver for him. Spain’s Melania Rodriguez defended her junior title for Valladolid 2016, holding off Russia’s Aleksandra Bonartseva by just 2 tenths!

 

• Double victory for Great Britain in tumbling! Lucie Colebeck took top honours and was joined on the podium by teammate Megan Kealy. Living legend Anna Korobeynikova botched her second run, taking her out of medal contention. Instead it was her teammate Viktoria Danilenko who stood on the podium. British junior Jaydon Paddock has been impressive all week, he certainly made a big name for himself here in Baku. He held off a challenge by Portugal’s Diogo Vilela and Russia’s Arsenii Stepanian. Two more British juniors on the podium but not on the highest level: Russia’s Diana Bratkova beat Jessica Brain and Kaitlin Lafferty for the gold medal.

 

• Baku’s National Gymnastics Arena exploded when Mikhail Malkin tumbled to victory! With his spectacular series he overtook 2016 junior Champion Rasmus Steffensen with Vadim Afanasyev in third place.

• With 5 world titles for Russia and 1 for Israel, all Acrobatic Gymnastics World titles went to European nations. In fact, only 4 medals of the 18 available went to non-European countries: the Democratic Republic of Korea won two silver medals (women’s pair and men’s pair) while China clinched silver in the men’s group final and bronze in the women’s group competition.

There’s no doubt in the world that Marina Chernova is one of the most accomplished acro gymnasts out there. Having won her first World title 4 years ago in Levallois (FRA) with Revaz Gurgenidze, the petite Russian has since then partnered with Georgiy Pataraya and they have been unstoppable! The impressive pair won three titles at the 2015 European Championships and the inaugural European Games, the World title in 2016, and last year they added the World Games gold and another three European titles to their collection. In Antwerp, they were again in a league of their own, outscoring the entire field in both difficulty and execution. With a massive score of 30.640, Chernova successfully completed her World hattrick: 

Second two years ago in China, Israel’s men’s group went fully for gold in Antwerp. “We have been thinking about this every day for two years,” base Daniel Uralevitch said. In an outstanding final the Israelis performed last. Their newly choreographed gave the spectators goose bumps. Emotions ran high when the gymnasts finished their incredible routine and even higher when the score flashed. The first ever World title for Israel! And a fantastic reward for the four men that have a whole new artistry standard in acro.

• Cristina Sainz (ESP) and Oscar Smith (SWE) win the Trampoline SmartScoring Awards. Congratulations!

 

• At the Aerobics World Cup stage in Suzuki (JPN) European Champion Daniel Bali (HUN) won silver in the individual before partnering with Fanni Mazacs to outscore the Bulgarians Antonio Papazov and Ana Maria Stoilova by one tenth. The Hungarians were joined by Balazs Farkas in the trio competition to take another medal, silver this time, behind Vietnam and ahead of Russia. Individually Russia’s Ekaterina Pykhtova was the only woman to score 22 points. She took the gold with a lead of 0.350 over Bulgaria’s Ana Maria Stoilova and Japan’s top qualifier Riri Kitazume. Bulgaria ended this competition with a bronze for their group performance behind Vietnam and China.
• Aleksandra Soldatova reigned at the World Cup in Tashkent (UZB), easily taking the all-around title before completing a clean sweep in the apparatus finals. And that was not it for Russia, Soldatova’s compatriots also won all three titles in the group competition.
• With the highest scores with all apparatus except clubs, Russia’s Maria Sergeeva easily claimed the all-around title in Baku’s National Gymnastics Arena at the World Cup meet, one and a half points ahead of Ukraine’s Vlada Nikolchenko who posted the top score with clubs. Belarussian new senior Anastasia Salos picked up the bronze medal. 
• Russia’s Irina Kundius beat her Chinese rivals to win her first ever Trampoline World Cup gold medal last weekend in the Italian city of Brescia. European Champion Yana Pavlova qualified to the final in second place but faltered in the final. The rest of the titles went to China who participated with a starstudded team including World and Olympic Champion Dong Dong.

 

Tomorrow … part 2: May to August 2018!