Highlights of the European Age Group Competitions at #AcroPesaro2021

Close to 400 talented Acro gymnasts travelled to Italy to compete in the European Age Group Competitions, held in Pesaro’s VitriFrigo Arena. Divided in 2 categories, the 11 – 17 age group showed their balance and dynamic routines with a repeat of one of those in the final while the 12 – 19 age group performed both to advance to the final where they showed their combined routine.

Here are some of our most memorable moments … in no particular order!

 

In Jackson’s style

To the tunes of Michael Jackson, the Bulgarian men’s pair Vladimir Kotochev and Georgi Stoyanov delivered an excellent routine. Their delight showed in the reaction of pure joy the gymnasts had after their work was done. With 27.650 they cruised to the victory over Russia’s Ivan Musikhin and Arsenii Bochkarev with William Clark and Harley Curtis-Lawrence (GBR) taking the bronze.

Mighty Israel

The mighty acro nation Israel clinched four European titles and two silver medals, equalling Russia as the most successful nation in Pesaro. Mixed pair Ilay Kadosh and Tamar Zachor were stunning for 27.450 and the men’s group featuring Liad Madar, Liran Cohen, Eran Rodnay and Itamar Moshe Rubinstein scored 27.050 for the second Israeli gold in barely 5 minutes. Coached by 2015 and 2017 European Champions and 2018 World Champions Yannay Kalfa and Lidar Dana respectively, Israel’s future is promising. The competition concluded with 2 more Israeli victories: Harel Aharoni and Yuval Bar Tal were the best 12 – 19 women’s pair and Hen Vinner, Yarden Greenberg and Maya Kremer the best women’s group.

Russia, ever the powerhouse

Russia also claimed 4 European titles and 2 silver medals, topping the medal table tied with Israel. Aleksandra Novoselova and Valeriia Nagovitsyna won in the 11 – 17 women’s pairs, Dinara Aisina, Ustina Mavrycheva and Mariia Fediunina in the 11 – 17 women’s groups, Ivan Gavrikov and Sergei Akopian in the 12 – 19 men’s pairs and Maksim Korshunov, Artem Logvinov, Ivan Mikulin and Ilia Bocherov in the 12 – 19 men’s groups. The sheer amount of talent in this great acro country is endless and truly impressive.

Portugal’s right up there

With 6 medals, Portugal earned the same total as Israel and Russia. Returning home with 4 silver and 2 bronze medals, the gymnasts representing Portugal gave it their all and showed that they are ready to take over the torch at the junior and senior level soon.

Britain’s best

The talented British team earned a respectable total of 5 medals. 4 were bronze, with the gold medal in the 12 – 19 mixed pairs final going to Samuel Yarnall and Jasmine Banks who delighted the crowd with a stunning performance.

Medal variety

While Israel and Russia topped the medal table, a grand total of 10 countries returned home with medals, including Georgia and Spain who won their first ever Acro Age group medal!

Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
Israel	4	2	-	6
Russia	4	2	-	6
Great Britain	1	-	4	5
Bulgaria	1	-	-	1
Portugal	-	4	2	6
Spain	-	1	-	1
Azerbaijan	-	1	-	1
Netherlands	-	-	2	2
Georgia	-	-	1	1
Belgium	-	-	1	1