- What are your impressions of the championship?
- It was a very interesting championship, in which juniors took part in a group exercise (girls aged 13-15 years) and adults (15 years and older) participated with individual programs and group exercises.
Several sets of medals were awarded. There are three sets of medals in the junior program: all-around, as well as exercises with five ropes and five balls.
For adults, five sets were awarded in the individual program: all-around and separate types (hoop, ball, clubs, ribbon).
In the group exercise, three medals were awarded in the all-around, one of the finals was with five hoops, three ribbons and two balls.
Separately, there was a team standings, which included the marks of two individual adult gymnasts and the adult team's marks for the all-around.
For the first time, eight different anthems were played at this championship, and several other countries received medals in separate events.
- How do you like the organization of the championship?
- The organization was at the highest level. The Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation holds a lot of events, but this time there was something special. We recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Gymnastics Federation. That's why everyone was somehow more confident.
The very idea of the Shine like a star competition and the design of the hall made it possible for each participant to feel like a star. The organizers' idea was that every gymnast, every coach, judges, every participant of this competition, felt like stars. Everything went very smoothly and everyone was happy.
- The Azerbaijani team won gold in group exercises. What else do you remember?
- Firstly, for the first time in history, an Azerbaijani gymnast, who was born and raised in Azerbaijan, trained under the guidance of Azerbaijani coaches - Zohra Agamirova - won a medal at the European Championships in the adult program. (Zohra Agamirova won historic bronze in the performance with the ball, ed.) It was a very emotional moment. Everyone cried. Only Zohra was focused. I asked: "Zohra, why aren't you happy?" And she replied: "It was my dream. But for now, I have to focus on the exercises with clubs. I will rejoice later".
Secondly, our team took gold medals in the exercise with three ribbons and two balls. The whole audience was already crying. They also sang the anthem of Azerbaijan. This is a very serious achievement that our federation has been working towards for 21 years. We must thank the President of the Federation, Mehriban Aliyeva, Vice-President of the country, for believing in us, paying great attention to both coaches and athletes.
In a word, it was a wonderful holiday. It was incredible.
- What other competitions are planned to be held in Baku?
- In mid-July, Baku will host the first international challenge "Gymnastics for All". This is a direction in which anyone can engage, regardless of age, appearance and level of physical fitness. In Gymnastics for All, there are awards, but there are no grades. This is a very interesting format. I can say for sure that we will have participants from six years old to 70+. Four countries have already applied for participation. There will be many teams from the regions of Azerbaijan, since this gymnastic discipline, like rhythmic gymnastics, is developing in 32 regions of Azerbaijan. There will be many teams, many guests. I think it will be a great holiday.
At the end of the year, the international tournament "Ojag" will be held, which is already becoming a tradition. Last year, for the first time, we held such an international Rhythmic Gymnastics Cup. Athletes from 13 countries participated there. I think there will be even more participants this year.
Next year, as always, we have three World Cups planned: in artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline.
- What discipline does the Ministry of Sports of Azerbaijan focus on?
- The state policy and the policy of the Ministry of Sports is aimed at paying attention to all sports for harmonious development. But there are sports that are traditional for us, where we show high achievements, and there are sports that we are just starting to develop, but we also pay great attention to them. Breakdancing, skateboarding and surfing are included in the 2024 Olympics and it is important for us to develop them.
We also pay great attention to a healthy lifestyle, we try to ensure that more people participate in sports events, so that everyone understands that sport is an integral part of the life of any person.
