World Championships in Kazan: Mamun&Co occupies the medal podium again
The World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships started in the capital of Tatarstan. The national team of Russia had no equals on Day 1
The World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships started in Kazan on 8 July. The capital of Tatarstan can become a gymnastics as well as aquatics capital. Realnoe Vremya tells about the first day of the individual competition and the programme of the contest for the next two days.
Third consecutive year is no kidding
It should be noted the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships has taken place in Kazan for the third consecutive time. Undoubtedly, it is impossible to surprise the capital of Tatarstan with such a busy timetable of sports events. However, Kazan may be called an unofficial capital of gymnastics of Russia.
100 athletes from 26 countries competed from 8 to 10 July in the capital of Tatarstan. Margarita Mamun, Yana Kudryavtseva and Aleksandra Soldatova represented the Russian Federation. As a host country, Russia fielded four gymnasts more: Maria Pavlova, Karina Kuznetsova, Ekaterina Seleznyova and Liana Semyonova. The latter, by the way, will have additional support because she is from Kazan. To tell the truth, these four athletes participated out of competition. The national squad of Russia also comprised of a big coaching staff headed by the President of the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG) Irina Vinger.
By the way, these competitions are one of the latest before the Summer Olympic in Rio de Janeiro. The gymnasts will fight for the right to participate in the major contest occurring every four years. The platform was not laid level with the floor like before. The platform was 90 cm higher to make the athletes feel the 'spirit' of the Olympiad.
Russia became best again. In general, no news
The first competition day started with the individual programme. The Russian athletes looked like obvious favourites of the tournament. We did not notice any buzz before the start of the competitions, though the tickets were quite affordable. However, fans did their best supporting Russian and foreign gymnasts, in spite of the fact that the stands were not full to the gills. It is clear the spectators paid special attention to the Russian athletes. Mamun, Soldatova and Kudryavtseva got enough applauses. Margarita was welcomed in an especial way: Mamun's mini fan club gathered near a place where gymnasts stand after award.
The very competition traditionally started before the opening ceremony. After the routine in hoop, Mamun took the lead in the rating. Then a beautiful opening ceremony took place. Gymnasts of the team of Tatarstan gave an exhibition performance. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport of Tatarstan Vladimir Leonov visited the ceremony. He shared his impressions of this event: 'It is a great honour to host such a big competition. We will do our best to hold the World Cup at the highest level,' he told.
A remarkable event took place at the end of the ceremony: a gymnast from Tatarstan Liana Semyonova was given a certificate and a badge of honour of World-Class Sports Master. President of the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation , vice-President of the Gymnastics Technical Committee of FIG, honoured coach of Russia Irina Viner-Usmanova and a member of the Gymnastics Technical Committee of FIG Maria Gigova personally awarded her.
The athletes continued to fight for the victory after the ceremony. Even those Russian athletes who participated out of competition look stronger than those who seriously fought for a win. What should we say about the three Mamun-Soldatova-Kudravtseva who were obvious favourites? Gymnasts from the post-Soviet space tried to compete with them, but the Russians' mastery was noticeable. So, shy Margarita Mamun won the gold in All-Round Competition, Yana Kudryavtseva became the runner-up, and Aleksandra Soldatova took the bronze medal.
Mamun: 'In general, we are satisfied but will correct the mistakes…'
Margarita Mamun, the winner in All-Round Competition on Day 1, shared her impressions of the performance.
What do you think about your performance?
My coach and I are satisfied. There were blots, faults, errors that an ordinary spectator cannot see but the coaching staff and I must know about. In general, we are satisfied but will correct the mistakes.
Is this programme similar to the programme we will see in Rio?
Let's wait and see. Our licences don't have names. Athletes are superstitious people. The Olympic squad has not been announced yet. We are working till the last day without knowing it, it encourages and stimulates us. The programme will possibly be changing, but just a bit because only one month left before the Games.
Margarita Mamun: 'Today gymnastics is absolutely different after the Olympiad in London. Rules have completely changed, the number of elements reduced. They seem to simplify the rules, so that other countries will be able to reach such a level, and they manage to do it: the competitiveness between countries is very high.' Photo: epa.eu
The first team of the national team of Russia won't go to the next stage of the World Cup. What are you going to do during this month?
After this competition, we will stay and prepare in Novogorsk during two weeks. Then we are going to Baku for the final World Cup. Later we are going to Brazil for the pre-Olympic camping.
Every year the number of elements reduces. What do you think about it?
Today gymnastics is absolutely different after the Olympiad in London. Rules have completely changed, the number of elements reduced. They seem to simplify the rules, so that other countries will be able to reach such a level, and they manage to do it: the competitiveness between countries is very high.
What can you say about your closest rivals?
I can note gymnasts from Belarus and Ukraine, Israel, Korea, Canada and the United States compete at a high level and can be our rivals.
Is it true that not the first team of the national squad will perform on the last day of the World Cup.
Tomorrow is our last competition day. The group competition starts on the day after tomorrow. Somebody will remain to support the girls, somebody will depart.
