Kazakh gymnasts are always pleased to visit tournaments in Azerbaijan, the coach of the Kazakh national rhythmic gymnastics team Svetlana Krasnikova said, speaking to the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza on the eve of the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Baku.
"We have visited Azerbaijan many times and it is a pleasure to come back here, because the competitions in Baku are held at a very high level," she noted.
The World Cup in Baku is a serious tournament, and therefore the Kazakh team arrived in full force: two seniors and a group team. "The new rules of the competition impose a great responsibility on the girls, so in Baku we will prepare for the Asian Championship, which will be held in Astana in June," Svetlana Krasnikova said.
In her estimation, the level of this tournament will be high. "Many countries have arrived to the World Cup, besides, the strongest gymnasts of the world are participating, so it's very responsible to participate in such competitions," the coach of the Kazakh national team admitted.
"Azerbaijan has created a wonderful sports complex for gymnasts. There is a very friendly atmosphere. The high level of training in Azerbaijan is also worth noting. Azerbaijan has raised the bar of its rhythmic gymnastics starting from Aliya Garayeva and keeps it at this level," Svetlana Krasnikova stressed.
She added that Kazakhstan also pays to great attention rhythmic gymnastics. "We are very grateful to our leadership that we have never missed a single stage of the World Cup. We try to keep a very high level, starting with Aliya Yusupova's performance at the two Olympics. Next was Anna Alyabyeva at the Olympic Games and then Sabina Ashirbayeva participated in the Olympic Games in 2016. We have the highest goals and objectives, and we teach our athletes to strive for them," the coach of the Kazakh national rhythmic gymnastics team concluded.
The FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup will be held in Baku on April 28-30. Participation of 94 gymnasts from 21 countries is expected in the event, 37 of them in the individual program and 57 - as the ten group teams. Athletes will compete for 8 medal sets.
