French flying high in second edition of Online MAG competition powered by Elevien

During the second stage of three planned competitions in the inaugural European Gymnastics Online Series in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, 65 participants from 17 countries showed their skills on one or more apparatus, from the comfort of their own gym. 

In a trailblazing, new competition format for European Gymnastics, the registered athletes get a timeframe to perform, record and upload their routine. Their work is then judged by a panel of Europe’s best judges, also from the comfort of their own home. And, fans could watch the action unfold on the Elevien app. What’s not to like?

It was a successful Saturday for France, with four podium positions and two victories in the six events. Benjamin Osberger claimed the win on floor ahead of Auriel Benovic (CRO), who has finished second in two consecutive competitions, and Ioane Jimsheleishvili (GEO) in third place.

Nicolas Diez made a strong vault performance to clinch the first place 0.034 point before runner-up Artur Davtyan (ARM), as Gabriel Burtanete (ROU) grabbed the last spot on the podium.

Like in the first stage, Armenia were dominant in the rings. This time, however, it was reversed roles as Artur Avetisyan (ARM), who had finished second behind teammate Vahagn Davtyan (ARM) in the competition on 2 March, secured the top spot, Davtyan having to settle for a second place. The two Armenians got scores of 14.800 and 14.466 respectively, but it was Albania’s Matvei Petrov who landed the highest score of the day as the 2020 European pommel horse champion won Saturday’s competition with an impressive 15.000.

Ilia Kovtun (UKR) clinched the second place with 14.666, in a very tight battle with Harutyun Merdinyan (ARM) who was third with 14.633.

The 2023 World all-around silver medallist Kovtun made another stellar performance in the parallel bars, where he is the European champion. The 20-year-old finished on top of the podium with 14.766, becoming Saturday’s most successful gymnast with a victory and a second place. Parallel bars runner-up Andrei-Vasile Muntean (ROU) gave him a run for the money, finishing 0.1 point behind, as Lucas Desagnes (FRA) clinched the third place.

Hungary’s only athlete in competition, David Vecsernyes, finished off Saturday’s action with a victory in the horizontal bar before No.2 Alexis Bwin (FRA) and third-placed Horr Carlo (GER).

 

Here are the top 3 per apparatus:

Floor

1. Benjamin Osberger (FRA) 14.133

2.  Aurel Benovic (CRO) 14.066

3. Ioane Jimsheleishvili (GEO) 13.733

 

Pommel Horse

1. Matvei Petrov (ALB) 15.000

2. Ilia Kovtun (UKR) 14.666

3. Harutyun Merdinyan (ARM) 14.633

 

Rings

1. Artur Avetisyan (ARM) 14.800

2. Vahagn Davtyan (ARM) 14.466

3. Ivan Brunello (ITA) 13.333

 

Vault

1. Nicolas Diez (FRA) 13.700

2. Artur Davtyan (ARM) 13.666

3. Gabriel Burtanete (ROU) 13.583

 

Parallel Bars

1. Ilia Kovtun (UKR) 14.766

2. Andrei-Vasile Muntean (ROU) 14.666

3. Lucas Desagnes (FRA) 14.100

 

Horizontal Bar

1.David Vecsernyes (HUN) 14.066

2.  Alexis Blin (FRA) 13.566

3. Horr Carlo (GER) 13.500

 

On each apparatus, the following prize money will be awarded € 400 for 1^st place, € 200 for 2^nd place and € 100 for 3^rd place. 

This Online Series continues on Saturday 13 April 2024. Stay tuned on the Elevien app!