Marina Durunda: "I am happy that I was able to make all Azerbaijan glad"

Azerbaijani gymnast Marina Durunda has won silver in the individual final in the exercise with a ribbon in rhythmic gymnastics at the First European Games. For the complexity of the exercise Marina Durundy received 8.95 points, and for performing skills – 9.25 points. First place was taken by Russian athlete Jana Kudryavtseva. Bronze was won by Salome Pazhava, who represented Georgia.

"Of course, I am very happy that I was able to make the whole of Azerbaijan happt with my performance and victory. It was very important to perform to the national music of Azerbaijan at the highest level. I think the performance was successful," Marina Durunda shared her impressions.

Answering our questions about the first performances, Marina said that this situation added to her excitement and created motivation for her: "Probably motivation, as I concentrated and successfully performed in the last discipline. I was nervous a little bit, as it is a responsibility to represent your own country. But everything was ok. Of course, I had a passion to win. This is a sport, ups and downs are possible.

"The most important moment was the last performance with a ribbon. As I performed the last, closing the European Games in rhythmic gymnastics. It was probably the most important moment" the gymnast admitted.

Speaking of referees’ pressure at the competition in respect of the Azerbaijani athlete, Marina Durunda said: "I tried to perform and do my best, but it doesn't always depend on sport in our discipline."

"When I performed, I thought only about the performance. When I finished, I was just happy that my performance was over. And only then, when sitting with my coach, did I realize that I had won a medal,’’ the representative of Azerbaijan said.

Marina Durunda said that she devotes her silver medal to Azerbaijan. "Thank you for your support! It was very nice to represent our country in competitions at the highest level. And I thank very much the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation's head coach Mariana Vasileva and the other coaches who helped me to prepare for the event. Thank you all very much!"