Nobody holds gymnastics competitions as interesting as the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, Russian gymnast Dmitry Ushakov said, speaking with Vestnik Kavkaza after performing in the trampoline qualification on the sidelines of the European Championships in Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini-Trampoline.
"Traditionally, I like the competitions in Baku very much, I think nobody else holds gymnastics competitions as interesting. It's also important to make a show which it's cool and fun to watch and participate in the tournament. We were sure that it would be that way when we went to Baku, because the Azerbaijani organizers have already shown their ability to organize competitions. Thank you very much for everything and such interesting entertainment for the audience," he said.
"I always get positive emotions from Baku and Baku tournaments. Last time I did not manage to perform well, but nevertheless I returned to Baku with pleasure. And now I did everything I planned, I reached semifinals, the team reached the final, so I am satisfied with today's results," Dmitry Ushakov admitted.
"The competition in the European championship is very high, of course. The Belarusian team are our main rivals in the team final, in both individual and double jumps. The English national team is very strong, in fact, the same athletes that took part in the World Championship last year, except for the Chinese and Japanese, are in Baku now, and all of them are strong athletes. I think that the final will be difficult, if we manage to reach it," the Russian gymnast concluded.
The 26th European Championships in Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini-Trampoline has opened in Baku today. More than 400 gymnasts from 25 countries are expected to join the Championships. In the first two days of the competitions, qualifications for all types of events both among junior and senior gymnasts as well as finals among teams will be held, on the last day, medalists will be known in all four types of the gymnastics events.
