Dubai: Russian gymnasts dominated the second DuGym Cup 2017 International Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, which was held at Al Manara Sports Centre, Dubai last week.
With rhythmic gymnastics legend Evgenia Kanaeva joined by Olympians Salome Pazhava and Angel Ilgaz as judges, nearly 450 gymnasts went through the three-day competition with Russian gymnasts coming to the fore in many of the categories.
Leading the charge for Russia was Maria Pobedushkina as she led a clean sweep in the 2002 A FIG All-Round category with countrywomen Elizaveta Perenosova and Yuliana Korotaeva in second and third respectively. Sofya Lakova and Anna Mikhailenko took the silver and bronze medals for Russia in the 2004 A FIG All-Round category, while Uzbekistan’s Takhmina Ikromova claimed gold.
Russia added another two bronze medals in the overall standings with Kristina Telyatnikova coming in third in the 2003 A FIG All-Round category, while Karina Kuznetsova was third best in the Senior A FIG All-Round class behind Salome Pazava of Georgia and Sabina Tashkenbaeva of Uzbekistan.
A total of 62 teams from 17 countries participated in the second edition of the competition that was held with support from the Dubai Sports Council.
The competition was complemented by an exclusive masterclass under the guidance of Pazhava. The masterclass was attended by more than 110 gymnasts.
Speaking at the conclusion, Ilgaz, the director and head coach of DuGym RG, said; “We’re thrilled to have raised the bar second time around. Right from organising, hosting, lending a competitive edge, event detailing to carrying it all out professionally. Our congratulations to all the winners and we will be back with a bigger and better third edition of DuGym Cup next year.”
DuGym Cup, a non-profit event, was founded to further emphasise DuGym Rhythmic Gymnastics Club’s vision to create awareness and interest in Rhythmic Gymnastics.
Log on to www.dugymrg.com/dugymcupresult for more information or details about the event.
