Illia Kovtun on top in third Elevien Online Series competition

Illia Kovtun had a standout day in the third edition of Online MAG competition powered by Elevien.

During the third stage of the three planned competitions in the inaugural European Gymnastics Online Series in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, five participants from six nations 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?

Reigning European champion and World all-around medallist Illia Kovtun of Ukraine put in the perfect final preparations for the Rimini 2024 MAG European Championships with two first placed finishes, reigning supreme on both the horizontal bar and parallel bars.

Kovtun, who claimed European gold on the parallel bars in Antalya last year, stormed to a big victory on the same apparatus as he recorded a mammoth score of 15.500. Lorenzo Bonicelli of Italy and France's Romain Cavallaro finished in second and third respectively. It wasn't such plain sailing on the horizontal bar for Kovtun whose margin of victory was down on parallel, but nonetheless his 13.966 left him ahead of Ivan Dejanovic and Alexis Blin.

Elsewhere there was an assured success for Great Britain’s Courtney Tulloch on his specialist apparatus Still Rings, whilst Romain Cavallaro, Aurel Benovic and Edoard De Rosa all impressed for their victories.

For Tulloch - a Munich 2022 team gold medallist - his victory came at a score of 14.166 in his maiden appearance in the Online Series. Pierre Cassam (FRA) and Edoardo De Rosa (ITA) both scored a 13.233 to finish within the top three. 

De Rosa would go two places better on the pommel horse though. His 14.833 put him ahead of established stars Matvei Petrov (ALB) and Filip Ude (CRO), both of whom have big ambitions in the coming weeks. 

Floor brought a flawless top two for France. Young Romain Cavallaro is just 18, but already he is in amongst the greats of Europe. His 13.633 did the job for first place, followed by countryman Nicolas Diez. Iceland's Agust Ingi Davidsson completed the top three finishers. 

And finally, it was Aurel Benovic who took it to the top on vault. The Croatian scored a dominant 14.683 for an assured and deserved lead, with Eric Terres Martin (ESP) and Illia Kovtun both back in the 13s.

Here are the top 3 per apparatus:

Floor

1. Romain Cavallaro (FRA) – 13.633

2. Nicolas Diez (FRA) – 13.400

3. Agust Ingi Davidsson (ISL) – 13.233

 

Pommel Horse

1. Edoardo De Rosa (ITA) – 14.833

2. Matvei Petrov (ALB) – 14.533

3. Filip Ude (CRO) – 14.333

 

Rings

1. Courtney Tulloch (GBR) – 14.166

2. Pierre Cassam (FRA) – 13.233

3. Edoardo De Rosa (ITA) – 13.233

 

Vault

1. Aurel Benovic (CRO) – 14.683

2. Eric Terres Martin (ESP) – 13.966

3. Illia Kovtun (UKR) – 13.933

 

Parallel Bars

1. Illia Kovtun (UKR) – 15.500

2. Lorenzo Bonicelli (ITA) – 14.300

3. Romain Cavallaro (FRA) – 13.833

 

Horizontal Bar

1. Illia Kovtun (UKR) – 13.966

2. Ivan Dejanovic (SRB) – 13.433

3. Alexis Blin (FRA) – 13.400

 

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.

From here, it’s all eyes on Rimini for the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics European Championships! The action begins on 24^th April, so keep an eye across our website and social media channels for all of the info.