Azerbaijan is the leader of artistic gymnastics in the South Caucasus

The opening of the anniversary international artistic gymnastics contest named after Mikhail Voronin took place in Moscow on December 2nd. In the past such athletes as Alexei Nemov and Svetlana Khorkina were winners of the competitions. This year representatives of 23 countries, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia, came to the 20th contest.

On December 3rd the first round of the contest was completed. Female gymnasts who represented Azerbaijan which sent its female athletes to artistic gymnastics competition for the first time performed better than others. Anna Pavlova and Marina Nekrasova won three medals for the Country of Flames. In individual all-round finals Pavlova took the second place, while Nekrasova the third place. The gold was gained by an athlete from Ukraine, Alena Vasoliyeva. In the team event Azerbaijan gaind silver medals; the first place was given to Russia. The third place was taken by Dynamo team. Aliya Mustafina, a star of the Russian national team, awarded the winners. However, Anna and Marina think it is too early to rest. They have the final round of the contest in individual events tomorrow.