Interview by Vestnik Kavkaza
Gymnasts of the Azerbaijan rhythmic gymnastics national team won the silver medal in the group event at the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Baku. They told Vestnik Kavkaza about their impressions of the tournament.
- You managed to win medals in the ribbons-and-balls event, but clubs were unsuccessful for you. Tell us why.
- I think both our compositions are very difficult. We use Azerbaijani national music. I think we were too excited. But the girls did their best, a good job. It is a great responsibility to perform at home, when everybody expects the best result from you. I think they performed great. Everybody is happy, and that is the most important.
- Do you like Azerbaijani music for your performances? Was it difficult to learn it?
- It wasn’t difficult. It was a pleasure for us. We knew that someday the European Championships would come to us, and the audience would support us. That’s how it was.
- What do you feel when you get a medal?
- Of course we are proud and happy that everything is over, and it is a happy end.
- When did you realize that the medal is yours?
- We were the sixth to perform with ribbons and balls. Bulgaria and France performed after us. We saw that our place is second, after Russia. We felt that it was a medal. It could be bronze or silver, but the score was high.
- Did you feel Bulgaria couldn’t beat you?
- We just felt that it would be a medal, as our performance deserved the medal.
- At the European Championships in Vienna you could do your best only in the third event.
- Yes. Today we performed with clubs and failed, yesterday we couldn’t gain a medal either. And it was our last chance and we understood that we would do anything to win a medal. We did our best. It was fantastic that the audience supported us, we did our best for our country. Thank you!
Gymnasts express gratitude to all people who supported them:
“The audience supports us. The atmosphere is wonderful. Thank you all, fans, the Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics of Azerbaijan.”
“It was the first European Championships for me. It was a great responsibility. When the audience supports you, it is a pleasure to perform. I would like to thank the coaches and our team. We are happy with our results.”
“It is the second European Championships for me. Last year we took second place in the hoop event. It was in Vienna. This year the atmosphere is better, the hall is better. The federation and everybody supports us. Everybody shouts and supports sincerely. A lot of emotions and support. Thank you!”
“It is the third European Championships for me and the second one in Baku. It is great when people support their own girls. We would like to thank all the fans, the federation, Mekhriban Aliyeva, and our coaches on behalf of all our team.”
