World Champions confirm status as first senior medals won at #AcroPesaro2021

Today the senior gymnasts took to the stage at the Vitrifrigo Arena in Pesaro (ITA) to compete in their first qualification rounds and finals! Women’s pairs, men’s groups and mixed pairs performed their balance routine while women’s groups and men’s pairs showed off their dynamic exercise.

After winning the World all-around title in Geneva at the beginning of July, all 5 reigning Champions confirmed their status as the ones to beat, ruling today’s finals.

Rita Ferreira and Ana Teixeira, the first Portuguese gymnasts to win the World title, started off with a stunning routine, holding off Russians Amina Omari and Diana Korotaeva by less than 2 tenths. Israel’s Almog Green and Maayan Zunenshine, stars of the junior Europeans two years ago in their native country, showed they transitioned into the senior category well, claiming the bronze medal.

In another close final, reigning World Champions Daria Tikhomirova, Sofia Polishchuk and Daria Chebulanka, representing the Russian Federation, scored 28.910. This earned them the gold medal ahead of the Portuguese trio Maria Mendes, Raquel Fernandes & Mariana Rocha and Belgians Kim Bergmans, Bo Hollebosch and Lise De Meyst.

The Russian men’s group featuring Bogdan Makeev, Viktor Grechukhin, Dmitrii Slabukha and Vadim Nabiev were absolutely fabulous, posting a massive score of 29.820. A title easily earned this time. However, the competitors are showing lots of potential. Belgians Simon De Wever, Wannes Vlaeminck, Jonas Raus and Viktor Vermeire entertained the crowd with their Wild West inspired routine and were rewarded with the silver medal while Great Britain’s Andrew Morris-Hunt, Bradley Gold, Finlay Gray and Archie Goonesekera were delighted with the bronze.

An exciting battle in the mixed pairs balance final ensued where first performers and top qualifiers Pia Schuetze and Daniel Blintsov (GER) set a high standard. Defending European Champions Viktoria Aksenova and Kirill Startsev (RUS), who struggled a little in qualifications, knew they had to improve. And that’s exactly what they did, beating the strong Germans 29.440 to 29.290. Great Britain earned the bronze medal for the talented Dylan Howells and Natasha Hutchinson.

Last but definitely not least, Timofei Ivanov and Maksim Karavaev (RUS) won with the biggest margin today, 0.990 better that nearest rivals, Danylo Stetsiuk and Bohdan Pohranychnyi (UKR). And Samuel Large and Sammi Nassman claimed the third bronze medal of the day for Great Britain.

 

Congratulations to all medallists!

 

Women’s Pairs Balance

GOLD Rita Ferreira & Ana Teixeira (POR) 28.740

SILVER Amina Omari & Diana Korotaeva (RUS) 28.570

BRONZE Almog Green & Maayan Zunenshine (ISR) 28.390

Women’s Groups Dynamic

GOLD Daria Tikhomirova, Sofia Polishchuk & Daria Chebulanka (RUS) 28.910

SILVER Maria Mendes, Raquel Fernandes & Mariana Rocha (POR) 28.710

BRONZE Kim Bergmans, Bo Hollebosch & Lise De Meyst (BEL) 28.500

Men’s Groups Balance

GOLD Bogdan Makeev, Viktor Grechukhin, Dmitrii Slabukha & Vadim Nabiev (RUS) 29.820

SILVER Simon De Wever, Wannes Vlaeminck, Jonas Raus & Viktor Vermeire (BEL) 28.960

BRONZE Andrew Morris-Hunt, Bradley Gold, Finlay Gray & Archie Goonesekera (GBR) 28.480

Mixed Pairs Balance

GOLD Viktoria Aksenova & Kirill Startsev (RUS) 29.440

SILVER Pia Schuetze & Daniel Blintsov (GER) 29.290

BRONZE Dylan Howells & Natasha Hutchinson (GBR) 28.630

Men’s Pairs Dynamic

GOLD Timofei Ivanov & Maksim Karavaev (RUS) 28.950

SILVER Danylo Stetsiuk & Bohdan Pohranychnyi (UKR) 27.960

BRONZE Samuel Large & Sammi Nassman (GBR) 27.780

Find the detailed results and start lists for the upcoming days on our website: https://www.europeangymnastics.com/event/2021-european-championships-acrobatic-gymnastics-new-dates/overview

These 30th European Championships in Acrobatic Gymnastics continue tomorrow with the last qualifications sessions.