The FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup opens in Baku

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup has started in Baku.  It will be held on April 28-30. The competitions will be held at the National Gymnastics Arena.

Participation of 94 gymnasts from 21 countries is expected in the event, 37 of them will perform in the individual program, while 57 gymnasts will take part within the teams of group exercises.

Athletes will compete for 8 medal sets: four in individual apparatus (ball, ribbon, hoop, clubs), one in group all-around, two in groups’ apparatus (5 hoops, 3 Balls and 2 ropes) and another one in group all-around.

Bronze and silver medalist of the European Championships Zhala Piriyeva, Zohra Aghamirova, as well as silver medalists of the European Championships within team in group exercises – Siyana Vasileva, Diana Doman, Aleksandra Platonova, Ayshan Bayramova and Elif Zeynep Celep are representng Azerbaijan during the competitions.

Russia is represented by two-time world and European champion Alexandra Soldatova and Dina Averina in the individual exercises, Vera Biryukova, Anastasia Bliznyuk, Evgenia Grents, Ksenia Polyakova, Sophia Skomorokh and Maria Tolkacheva will perform in the group exercises.

On the first day, qualifying competitions on individual performances of gymnasts in exercises with a hoop and ball (12:30 local time), as well as on group performances with five hoops will be held (17:00 local time). The opening ceremony will start at 16:30 local time (15:30 Moscow time).

Individual qualifications (clubs, ribbon) and groups’ qualifications all-around (3 balls and 2 ropes) will be held on April 29. The award ceremony will be held in the evening.

The results of the qualifications to be held on the first two days of the competitions, will define the winners in the all-around as well as the apparatus finalists both among individual gymnasts and the teams in group exercises. The finals will be held on the last day of the competitions.