Artistic Gymnastics

* GYMfamily Event PREVIEW: III. Pre-Olympic Youth Cup 2010

27. Mai 2010  
Bergisch Gladbach, Germany  
Artistic Gymnastics

* GYMfamily Event PREVIEW: III. Pre-Olympic Youth Cup 2010

Olympian Anja Brinker:
... as the 2010 cover girl!

In 2008 the German Rhenania Gymnastics Federation (RTB) started with a new international gymnastics competition for femal elite, junior and teen gymnasts.
In this year of the "I. OLympic Youth Games 2010" in Singapur (August), the
"3rd Pre-Olympic Youth Cup 2010" in Bergisch Gladbach (Germany) will have a special importance in preparation of this highlight in the summer, to check the sportive enmity and the own level of proficiency...!
The Grand Dame of international artistic gymnastic, the Olympic silver medal winner Oksana Chusovitina will be the Patron of this event again and welcomes really the best young gymnasts into the Rhineland, her new homeland at the weekend of May 29 - 30.
Twelve weeks before Singapoor the worldwide best will meet in Germany.
Feel free to join in this ebvent with attractive concurrence and prize money, too ...

** - powered by LANXESS Levapren und BÄNFER GmbH

RTB Partnership

III. PRE-OLYMPIC YOUTH CUP 2010
  - Bergisch Gladbach, 29./30. Mai 2010 -
    Stadionsporthalle, Paffrather Straße
________________________________________

* P R E V I E W 
Women's artistic gymnastic competition
- from Age Group 12 on älter  (FIG, Competition I)
  1. E L I T E         (* born 1994 >)

    2. AG 14/15     (*born 1996/*95)
       3. AG 12/13  (*born1998/*97)
   >> Nominativ Entries (participants)

** ... look at the complete > Announcment / Invitation
** ... Australian Junior Squad arrived in Germany
GYMmedia Reviews
__________________________

> II. Pre-Olympic Youth Cup 2009

>  I. Pre-Olympic Youth Cup 2008

* The Rhenania Gymnastics Federation as "Member of GYMfamily" as the organizer of this event booked the
>> GYMmedia-Eventservice again .
So all the information you will find at > www.gymmedia.com, specially on our
>> GYMmedia World Calendar System 2010

* GYMmedia INTERNATIONAL
  - the Editors

Susann Herbst won the Main Event of Pre-Olympic Youth-Cup

03. Mai 2008  
Bergisch Gladbach / Germany  
Artistic Gymnastics

Susann Herbst won the Main Event of Pre-Olympic Youth-Cup

Susann HERBST (Chemnitz)

Winner of the  1st Pre-Olympic YOUTH Cup 2008  in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany was the German  Susann HERBST from one of the leading German club TuS Chemnitz-Altendorf (Saxonia), who scored  55,70 points, in front of Stefanie HAMANN from  Dresdner SC (53,75) and Lisa-Katharina HILL (53,65), also fromTuS Chemnitz-Altendorf ).

Also in the age group  14/15 the victory went to the hosts, although the very sttrong concurrence specially from the Netherlands:  Elisabeth SEITZ from  LZ Mannheim was the winner in front of  Wyomi MASELA (54,65) but talso he ranks three to five went to the Dutch gymnasts!.

In the youngest age group of 12/13 years won a Romanian gymnast..

The competition is powered by B Ä N F E R


1. PRE OLYMPIC YOUTH CUP 2008
- Bergisch Gladbach, 3. Mai -
____________________________________________________

>> RESULTS, Main competition, Age group 16
>> RESULTS, Age Group 14/15

>> RESULTS, Age Group 12/13

Victory Ceremony Age Group 14!15

Victory Main competition, Age Group 16 Susann HERBST (middle), Stefanie HAMANN (lieft) and Lisa-Kathrina HILL
The competition is powered by the co. LANXESS

At the age grop 12/13, the youngest gymnast, the all-around were won by the Romanian  Larissa LORDACHE with  a score of 54,55 points, followed by the Dutch Kaylee ACHTERHUIS fromTeam Bosan/Ton with 52,25 points and the Austrian Corinne LAMPRECHT with 51,20 points. 

Best German gymnast with 50,55 points, ranked on 4 th place was Nadine JAROSCH  from TV Werther, followed by Emmelie-Marie KURZ from  TuS Chemnitz-Altendorf... 
>> RESULTS,  Age group 12-13


... read more on our >> German event covarage

... read more in our >> GYMmedia PREVIEW

WORLD CUP, Cottbus: MEN s Finals, 2nd day

13. April 2008  
Cottbus / Germany  
Artistic Gymnastics

WORLD CUP, Cottbus: MEN s Finals, 2nd day

MEN's World Cup FINAL, day 2
 (Vault; Parallel Bars; High Bar)

>> GOLD for Yakubovskyi (UKR), Li (CHN) and  Zou (CHN)

Everything was possible in the competition on vault on the second day of the men's finals of the FIG World Cup tournament in the Lausitz-Arena in Cottbus. The defending World Champion on vault s Leszek Blanik (POL) had retreated because of an injury. Hence the gymnast with the most difficult programm came in first  - Oleksandr Yakubovskyi from the Ukraine won on vault! On parallel bars, Chinese Li, Xiaopeng's victory  came as no surprise, he had been leading in the qualifications already. Zou, Kai's (China) victory on high bar was a surprise, however.
In general, hosting German gymnasts had good results  - especially with Fabian Hambüchen. 
32. TOURNAMENT of MASTERS 2008
- WORLD CUP, Cat. B, * Artistic Gymnastics -
Cottbus / Germany, Lausitz-Arena - Saturday, April 12 -
_____________________________________________________

* MEN's Apparatus Finals, day 1
  (floor exercises; pommel horse; rings)

>> GOLD for Hambüchen (GER), Berki (HUN) and van Gelder (NED)!

The favorites did not dominate all the competitions on the first day of the apparatus finals of the FIG World Cup tournament in the Lausitz-Arena in Cottbus: On floor, Chinese Kai Zou missed the victory due to a fall in a Tskahara crunched as final element after a very difficult and excellently performed routine. On floor, Fabian Hambüchen won Gold for Germany!
On horse and rings, Krisztian Berki (HUN) and Yuri van Gelder (NED) plaxed their favorite's roles perfectly, though....
* FINAL -  F L O O R   E X E R C I S E S
 _______________________________________

Three gymnasts crystallized as afvorites out themselves yesterday: Kai Zou from China, Fabian Hambüchen from Germany and the successful 22-year-old Tomas Gonzales. Also that a sign how the gymnastics developed also in South America. 

>> GOLD for Fabian Hambüchen (GER)!

* Ude, Filip (CRO) - a very difficult routine, with some imbalances though and a fall during the last row. 
* Gonzales, Tomas (CHI) - fal during his spectacular row tempo somersault - threefold twist bw and directly 11/2 somersault fw into push-up. All chances for a medal lost. 
* Palgen, Sascha (LUX) -  double twist crunched and perched, executed excellently, combined row with 11/2 twist bw - 1/1 twist fw - 11/2 twist fw. In general a neat exercise with good stands.
* Zou, Kai (CHN) - the favorite was spirited, fleet-footed and jumping highly - fireworks in acrobatics with the highlight  double Tsukahara and Tsukahara crunched in the end, unfortunately landing seated. 
* Yakubovskyi, Oleksandr (UKR) - also unlucky. After remarkable acrobatics he falls after his last row and a threefold twist. 
* Hambüchen, Fabian (GER) - a neat routine with slight insecurities in a combined row. Therefore a great double Tsukahara straight and a Tsukahara in the end.
* Bogonosiuk, Jevgenii (UKR) - A very good performance with few mistakes and few distraction in score. 
* Gafuik, Nathan (CAN) - also a good, dynamic performance with a few standing mistakes and charism. 
* RESULTS - Final FLOOR EXERCISES

1. Fabian Hambüchen (GER) - 15,300
2. Bogosiuk, Jevgeni   (UKR) - 15,200
3. Gafuik, Nathan          (CAN) - 15,075

4. Palgen, Sascha              (LUX) - 15,000
5. Zou, Kai                           (CHN) - 14,750
6. Yakubovski, Oleksandr (UKR) - 14,375
7. Gonzales, Tomas          (CHN) - 14,300
8. Ude, Filip                         (CRO) - 14,250

>> detailed results
* FINAL - P O M M E L   H O R S E
_______________________________

Maybe an interesting duel between Kriszian Berki (HUN) and Daniel Keatings (GBR)? Both had  the highest score in the qualification with 15,80 points. It will be interesting, whether Robert Seligman (CRO) will manage to interfere with this duel..

>> GOLD for Krisztian Berki (HUN)!

* Nigmadzyanov, Ruslan (RUS) - insecurities during the Flop, he has to leave the apparatus but then performs neatly and securely until the end.
* Smith, Louis (GBR) - a very neatly performed routine with  Russenwendeschwüngen , crossing fw and bw., Wu Guonian and Flop without any insecurity. Slight leg opening in the end.
* Seligman, Robert (CRO) - He performed offensively. Aggressively and very straight hips his whole performance- Russenwende on one pommel, Wu Guonian, Flop, crossing bw and fw, but then small insecurities when finishing with Russenwendeschwung.
* Truyens, Donna-Donny (BEL) - Starts perfectly; Wu Guonian, Russenwende, Flop, Flop - Russenwende. After contrary turn 360°when crossing the horse he has to leave the apparatus. Finishes neatly.
* Tsarevich, Aliaksandr (BLR) - A fairly performed routine with diverse versions of Russenwendeschwünge as main content. But the charism was missing for a position on top. 
* Kyksenkov, Mykola (UKR) - a routine with small insecurities and small posture mistakes in a turning swing over the horse. To be on top of the competition some points in the basis score seem to be missing. 
* Berki, Krisztian (HUN) - As a favorite, he raised the bar for Daniel Keating who performs later. His Thomas circling with contrary turn 360° on the pommels was performed with virtuosity, the rest of his long routine was equally good with the highest basis score of 16,70 points. A clear improvement since the qualification yesterday. 
* Keatings, Daniel (GBR) - Equally motivated as his precursor. A good start with cross leg 1/2 and Flop. Then a mishap  - he has to leave the apparatus during Russenwedeschwung180° between the pommels. Slightly frustrated he finishes his routine.

* RESULTS - Final  POMMEL HORSE

1. Berki, Krisztian     (HUN) – 16,225
2. Smith, Louis           (GBR) – 15,875
3. Seligman, Robert  (CRO) – 15,650

4. Tsarevich, Aliaksandr      (BLR) – 15,200
5. Truyens, Donna-Donny  (BEL) – 15,175
6. Keatings, Daniel              (GBR) – 15,150
7. Kyksenkov, Mykola          (UKR) – 14,950
8. Nigmadzyanov, Ruslan (RUS) – 14,175

>> detailed results
* FINAL - S T I L L   R I N G S
___________________________

8 gymnast from 8 nations in the final still rings. This shows clearly that top-class performances are no longer a privilege of some few countries. Slightly favored the multifold medal winner in international master competitions and World Cups Yuri van Gelder (NED). His most serious rival maybe Kevin Tan from the USA, who came in fourth at the World Championships 2007 on rings. 

>> GOLD for Yuri van Gelder (NED)!

* Angioletti, Mateo (ITA) - Continues Italian traditions on still rings. Emphasizing strength, but also trying to offer swing. Starts with Honma to crossed hanging, opening for a Schwalbe and continuing to a support. Afterwards Jonasson and Honma to Schwalbe, finishing with a straight Tsukahara but with a big step unfortunately.
* Giorgallas, Irodotos (CYP) - A highly difficult routine with flashy, well performed strenght combinations. Small difficulties in the big circle but especially in the end his risk is not rewarded because he clearly has to compensate in the threefold somersault. 
* Vorobyov, Oleksandr (UKR) - Honma into cross - Honma to Schwalbe,that is how he starts. He finishes with double somersault fw crunched into standing. in general a good routine with small insecurities in some strength supports.
* Tan, Kevin (USA) - one of the most difficult routines in this final. Schwalben, vertical supports and cross hangings in excellent accomplishment. Small difficulties in the straight Tsukahara. But with  16,075 points he raises the bar for the following gymnasts significantly.
* Botella, Isaac (ESP) - Also emphasizing strength, the effort was to see, however. The final Tsukahara was a little too crunched, which surely reduced the score. 
* Van Gelder, Yuri (NED) - Favorite, using all his rote and winning unchallengedly. None of the following gymnasts will be able to challenge him. The basis score was even higher than yesterday. Azarjan - opening to Schwalbe - opening to head support. Jonasson and Honma to cross hanging clearly improved. Straight Tsukahara exactly into standing.
* Nigmadzyanov, Ruslan (RUS) - Emphasizing swing a little, performed very elegantly. Concerning strength he cannot reach the performance of a Y. van Gelder or Kevin Tan yet.
* Kurbanbayev, Timur (KAZ) - A routine full of strength elements which made him hope for a medal until the end. Unfortunately, the routine ended with a fall in the double somersault fw crunched.
* RESULTS - Final  STILL RINGS

1. Van Gelder, Yuri          (NED) – 16,625
2. Tan, Kevin                     (USA) – 16,075
3. Vorobyov, Oleksandr (UKR) – 15,925

4. Angioletti, Mateo              (ITA) –15,525
5. Kurbanbayev, Timur       (KAZ) – 15,325
5. Nigmadzyanov, Ruslan (RUS) – 15,325
7. Giorgallas, Irodotos        (CYP) – 15,275
8. Botella, Isaac                   (ESP) – 15,025

>> detailed results
* FINAL -  V A U L T   
___________________

If Leszek Blanik (POL) performs his two vaults without bigger mistakes, it should be almos impossibel to challenge him, since he is the only gymnast  - referring to the qualification - who manages zwo vaults of the highest degree of difficulty. 

>> GOLD for Oleksandr Yakubovskyi (UKR)!

* Isayev, Andriy (UKR) – flashover double somersault were very high, but with a big step backwards. 2. Tsukahara with somersault back (7.0) neatly into standing safely. 
* Yerimbetov, Yernar (KAZ) – both vaults with difficulties in the landing.
* Gonzales, Tomas (CHI) – Yurchenko 5/2 and Tsukahara 2/1 – both vaults with high and long flight phase but also with slight problems when landing. 
* Rivera, Luis (PUR) – Wonderful second flight phase in flashover,  piked somersault forward 2/1 and in piked Kasamatsu 3/2,  but both vaults with clearing steps out of the landing zone.
* Hambüchen, Fabian (GER) – good vaults with standing after piked Tsukahara 2/1 and a little hop after Yurchenko 5/2.
* Gafuik, Nathan (CAN) – the Canadian came into the final instead of Leszek Blanik and seized his chances - he manages his yurchenko 5/2 well, but has quite a deep landing after tsukahara gestreckt 2/1.
* Nguyen, Marcel (GER) – A pity, a little too less turn in width leads to a fall during piked kasamatsu 3/2. His flashover double somersault was very well done. 
* Yakubovskyi, Oleksandr  (UKR) – Most difficult program with piked kasamatsu 2/1 and flashover double tucked somersault forward performed most securly. 

* RESULTS - Final  VAULT

1. Yakubovskyi, Oleksandr (UKR) – 16,300
2. Isayev, Andriy                    (UKR) – 15,937
2. Hambüchen, Fabian          (GER) – 15,937
3. Rivera, Luis                         (PUR) – 15,875

4. Gafuik, Nathan          (CAN) – 15,850
5. Gonzales, Tomas       (CHI) – 15,650
6. Nguyen, Marcel         (GER) – 15,450
7. Yerimbetov, Yernar  (KAZ) – 15,175

>> detailed results
* FINAL -   P A R A L L E L   B A R S    
_______________________________

Several gymnasts could win this concurrence. It is quite a homogeneous starting field. Chinese Li Xiaoping might have the best chances since he has slight advantages in the A-note.

>> GOLD for Li, Xiaopeng (CHN)!

* Tsolakidis, V. (GRE) – Diamidow ½ and Diamidow both out of hanging in the upper arms, that is characteristic of him. However, today instantly a mistake in Diamidow 1/2. He continued neatly and virtuosic with a wonderful front tucked double somersault onto the upper arms. What a pity!
* Tsarevich, A. (BLR) – difficult routine with tucked Belle gebückt, Felgkombinationen and Riesenfelge 1/1 presented elegantly, but with small imbalances for example during the dismount tucked double somersault.
* Piasecki, S. (SVK) – Belle seems to become a standard flight element. Circle 1/1 and circle handstand performed very well, but small mistakes in the tucked double somersault.
* Hambüchen, F. (GER) – Belle, maybe a little flat, tucked double somersault back into hanging on the upper arms, tucked and crouched double somersault back into hanging on the upper arms, both very well done - three top-class flight elements. Performed neatly altogether with asuperb dismount tucked double somersault back into standing safely.
* Tan. K. (USA) – Circle ½ with fall, dismount with fall, the fact that he performed the rest of the routine fairly will be of little help.
* Kierzkowski, A. (POL) – A versatile routine with flight, front swings, circle and side elements, but unfortunately with some mistakes.
* Petkovsek, M. (SLO) – The multifold champion with a virtuosic, superbly controlled and elegantly performed routine, but he sits down after a very high tucked double somersault. High basic score, but a fall decreases the score by 0,8 points.
* Li , X.  (CHN) – Five flight elements performed very well and clearly, elegantly, with virtuosity. Wherünf Flugelemente in sehr hoher Ausführung, elegant, virtuos. Where should the judges deduct anything? Well, a small insecurity in a handstand and a step after dismount.

* RESULTS - Final  PARALLEL  BARS

1. Li, Xiaopeng               (CHN) – 16,250
2. Hambüchen, Fabian (GER) – 15,825
3. Piasecky, Samuel     (SVK) - 15,550

4. Tsarevich, Aliaksandr  (BLK) – 15,525
5. Petkovsek, Mitja           (SLO) – 15,175
6. Tsolakidis, Vasileios    (GRE) – 15,000
7. Kierzkowsi, Adam         (POL) – 14,650
8. Tan, Kevin                     (USA) – 13,700

>> detailed results

WORLD CUP: WOMEN s Finals - Day 2 ...

13. April 2008  
Cottbus / Germany  
Artistic Gymnastics

WORLD CUP: WOMEN s Finals - Day 2 ...

Womens' Medalists on Vault

WOMEN's FINAL EVENTS, Part  2
(Balance Beam & Floor).

>> GOLD for Xiao, Sha (CHN) and Sandra Izbasa (ROU)!

In today’s Women´s second finals at the FIG-Worldcup in the Lausitz-Arena from Cottbus (Germany) the favourites in Balance Beam and Floor Exercises triumphed once again:
On beam Xiao, Sha (CHN) was unbeatable with a brilliant routine. On floor exercise Sandra Izbasa (ROU) convinced with both an impressive and expressive programme.

OPENING FIG-Worldcup-Final 2008, Cottbus (Germany), Lausitz-Arena
>> The GYMmedia Event Service is supported by
S P I E T H Gymnastic
******************************************************************************
F O T O I M P R E S S I O N S, WORLD CUP Cottbus 2008

32. TOURNAMENT of MASTERS, Cottbus 2008
- WORLD CUP, Cat. B, Artistic Gymnastics -
Cottbus / Germany, Lausitz-Arena - Saturday, April 12 -
__________________________________________________

* WOMEN's FINAL EVENTS, Part 1
(Vault & Uneven Bars).
>> GOLD for Chusovitina (GER) and He (CHN)!

No surprises but inspiring performances on the 1. Finalday of the FIG-Worldcup- Tournament in Cottbus (Germany): The 32-year-old Oksana Tchusovitina (GER) takes the gold at vaulting table with impressive vaults and dominates her contestants. With a brilliant flight show the 16-year-old He, Kexin (CHN) performs in a league of her own on the Uneven Bars. Two generations demonstrate the variety of modern gymnastics.

>> At this early point of the year only some gymnasts presented stable routines. If a higher number of gymnasts manage their programmes, the competitions will be even more suspenseful. At this weekend, the favourites triumphed on each piece of apparatus. In the finals, there were several world class routines which fascinated and inspired the audience. On Vaulting Table, a yurchenko with 1 ½ twists appears to be the minimal standard. On Uneven Bars, the women perform more flight elements than the men on High Bar. Due to lack of time, most Beam routines have only little choreography and the gymnasts perform one element after the other. On floor exercise those gymnasts convinced the most who managed to combine both artistic and gymnastic elements to a pleasant choreography.
>> Reporting from Cottbus, Germany: Florian Schmid-Sorg

* FINAL  - V A U L T
___________________

>> GOLD for Oksana Chusovitina (GER)!

* Alyssa Brown (CAN) – both vaults miss a little hight and body extension: 1. yurchenko (round-off onto the board, back flip onto the table, somersault to stand) with 1 ½ turns – a little low and a deep landing and two huge steps to the side. 2. handspring,  piked somersault – only a small step
* Aisha Gerber (CAN) – vaults a little higher than her teammate: 1. yurchenko with 2/1 twists – quite ambitious, a deep landing and a small step. Well done!   2. round-off, ½ turn, tucked somersault with ½ turn: stable, one step at landing.  
* Areilla Käslin (SUI) – presents an interesting first vault: 1. handspring, tucked somersault with full turn – with oversight and confidence, a little hop. 2. yurchenko with 1 ½ turns – runs slowly towards the apparatus, still a secure vault.
* Oksana Chusovitina (GER) –  the only one with no round-off vault and a dynamic performance: 1. handspring, layout with 1 ½ turns – what a confidence, what a speed! Only two tiny corrections at landing.  2. tsukahara (round-off onto the table, back somersault) with 1 ½ turns – superb: high and dynamic – a hop is the consequence.
* Anna Myzdrikova (RUS) – a talent for the future: 1. yurchenko with 2/1 turns – higher than in qualification, but still a fall on her knees... - 2. round-off, ½ turn, tucked somersault – the body position in the 2nd flight phase was not clear – in qualification she tried a layout.
* Enikö Korcsmaros (HUN) – both dynamic and elegant, she needs a 2nd vault with an higher A-score: 1. yurchenko with 1 ½ turns – with hight and power, unfortunately, a huge step at landing. 2. round-off, ½ turn, tucked somersault – controlled and stable performed, a tiny hop.
* Jade Barbosa (BRA) – ambitious and speedy: 1. yurchenko with 2/1 turn – a small step.  2. round-off, ½ turn, layout with ½ turn – ambitious but to short – a huge step towards the vaulting table.
* Nastassia Marachkouskaya (BLR) – excellent technigue combined with elegance. 1. yurchenko with 1 ½ turns – beautifully performed: high and elegant – one step at landings. 2. handspring, piked somersault – also well performed, a step at landing.

>> General impression: The favourite impressed once again with confidence and beautiful vaults!

Oksana Chusovitina (GER)

* RESULTS - Final  VAULT

1. Chusovitina, Oksana (GER) – 15,150
2. Barbosa, Jade             (BRA) – 14,512
3. Kaeslin, Areilla             (SUI) – 14,265

4. Marachkouskaya,
             Nastassia                     (BLR) – 14,100
5. Korcsmaros, Enikö             (HUN) – 13,975
6. Gerber, Aisha                      (CAN) – 13,900
7. Brown, Alyssa                     (CAN) – 13,475
8. Myzdrikova, Anna               (RUS) – 13,475

>> detailed results

* FINAL - U N E V E N   B A R S
___________________________

>> GOLD for He, Kexin (CHN)!

* Anastasiya Koval (UKR) – an elegant gymnast with excellent technique and a beautiful body line. Unfortunately, she misses the bar performing a pike circle to tkachev. Still a bautiful routine with variations of pike circles and flight elements like a secure tkachev.
* Kristina Goryunova (RUS) performs a dynamic routine – and a pause after her Pak-salto (somersault from higher to lower bar). Her routine is coined by stalder and pike circle variations with half and full turns. Her dismount is a tsukahara (double somersault with full turn) – she leans forward at landing.
* Katja  Abel (GER) performs a fluid, secure and attractive routine: underswing with counter movement, jaeger salto, ginger salto, underswing with ½ turn and a double front somersault as dismount with one little step.
* Lenika De Simone (ESP) shows an instable routine; first a pause in a stalder, then a pause after her pike gienger salto, and finally she gets off the apparatus preparing her jaeger salto – which she then perfroms well and finishes with an excellent double layout.
* Jenny Brunner (GER) performs an “aery”, light routine, much more fluent then yesterday: clear hip circles and stalders in variation – there is no foot on a bar – and her special dismount: underswing counter movement to layout with ½ turn.
* He, Kexin (CHN) presents a nearly PERFECT routine. What an extraordinary performance: brilliant technique, excellent body shape, wonderful amplitude. A superb flight show with beautiful giants with multiple turns: A-score: 7.70! – 16,850!
* Rebecca Downie (GBR) closes this final with an ambitious and dynamic performance: pike circle to tkachev, giant with 2/1 turn, tsukahara with two steps.
* Jade Barbosa (BRA) performed a stable and controlled routine, however, with less difficulty than her contestants.

He, Kexin (CHN)

* RESULTS - Final  UNEVEN BARS

1. He, Kexin                 (CHN) – 16,850
2. Downie , Rebecca (GBR) – 14,975
3. Abel, Katja               (GER) – 14,425

4. Brunner, Jenny          (GER) – 14,400
5. Koval, Anastasiya     (UKR) – 13,700
6. Jade Barbosa            (BRA) – 13,650
7. Goryunova, Kristina  (RUS) – 12,975
7. De Simone, Lenika   (ESP) – 12,975

>> detailed results


* FINAL -  B A L A N C E   B E A M  
______________________________

>> GOLD for Xiao, Sha (CHN)!

* Xiao, Sha (CHN) opens this apparatus final with a nearly flawless performance and a superb “opener”: two back flips, layout, back-flip to sitting position – technical perfection! Only a single insecurity after a sheep jump. Perfect landing after her double pike somersault dismount. The only one you could critisize is that the routine lacks a little bit of fluency.
* Her teammate Li, Shanshan (CHN) tries the same acrobatic series, however, she falls after the layout. She shows a beautiful split pivot but has some insecurities here and there. Same dismount, same perfect landing.
* Sandra Izbasa (ROU) performs a stable routine with a series of saltos and free handsprings in all directions and combinations. She shows less choreography than the Chinese girls – and less perfection.
*Her teammate is an extraordinary gymnast, too. However, Steliana Nistor (ROU) falls after her back somersault with full turn and does not seem as secure as the Chinese.
* The elegant Adela Sajn (SLO) performs a beautiful and stable routine with interesting combinations like an aerial directly linked to a side somersault. 
* Katja Abel (GER) shows a focused routine, however, with little direct combinations. Some little insecurities, but a good landings after her double pike somersault.
* Sanne Wevers (NED) opens with an interesting start: round-off onto the board, back flip onto the beam linked with a wolf jump with full turn. Two beautiful double pivots. Several insecurities. The easiest routine, but a gymnast with potential.
* Oksana Chusovitina (GER) performs in an athletic way a very stable routine. In qualifications, she dismounted with a double tuck somersault – this time it is a double pike, with a step, though. Well done!

Who wants to beat the Chinese girls in Bejing? They show the highest difficulty and the most perfect technique. Even with a fall they are good for medals!
* RESULTS - Final  BALANCE BEAM

1. Xiao, Sha                      (CHN) – 16,125
2. Li, Shanshan               (CHN) – 15,325
3. Chusovitina, Oksana (GER) – 15,300
3. Izbasa, Sandra            (ROU) – 15,300

5. Sajn, Adela         (SLO) – 15,075
6. Abel, Katja          (GER) – 14,825
7. Nistor, Steliana  (ROU) - 14,625
8. Weyers, Sanne  (NED) – 14,300

>> detailed results


* FINAL -  F L O O R   E X E R C I S E S  
_________________________________

>> GOLD for Sandra Izbasa (ROU)!

* Jade Barbosa (BRA) opens this final with four impressive and controlled acrobatic series which she manages much better then yesterday. During dance elements she smiles and tries to get in contact with the audience. Double layout, 1 ½ twist forward and backward, pike tsukahara, double pike at the end.
* Xiao, Sha (CHN) dances with excellent gymnastic elements over the floor and shows several somersaults with multiple turns. However, her landings are not precise.
* Yasmin Zimmermann (SUI) performs a pleasant mixture of both gymnastic and acrobatic elements. Beautiful triple and double pivots. Similar problems with the landings, though.
* Anastasiya Koval (UKR) shows a solid routine with excellent gymnastics and an appealing flow.
* Sandra Izbasa (ROU) – it is a sheer pleasure to observe this gymnast on floor. She dances and tumbles with expression and confidence and inspires the audience to spontaneous applause: 5 acrobatic series and brilliant gymnastic elements like a triple pivot. No problem with her dismount this time: somersault with triple twist.  
* Daiane Dos Santos (BRA) elates with a dynamic and cheerful performance: Both her acrobatic as well as her leaps and jumps are high and speedy. However, her landings lack presicion.
* Anna Myzdrikova (RUS) dances to dramatic sounds and opens with an impressive start: somersault with triple twist in direct combination to back somersault. She shows a diverse programm with double somersaults forwards and backwards. Unfortuantely, she falls after another combination: layout with 2 ½ twists followed by a somersault with ½ turn.
* Exactly this was the combination which Katja Abel (GER) had problems in qualifications with. Not this time! She performs an expressive routine with a pleasant choreography.

The floor final was more suspenseful than the beam final. All gymnast showed a more stable routine than in qualifications. In the end, the best and most expressive gymnast wins with a convincing and inspiring programme.

* RESULTS - Final   FLOR EXERCISES

1. Izbasa, Sandra  (ROU) – 15,300
2. Barbosa, Jade  (BRA) – 14,625
3. Xiao, Sha            (CHN) – 14,500

4. Dos Santos, Daiane    (BRA) – 14,350
5. Zimmermann, Yasmin (SUI) – 14,150
6. Koval, Anastasiya       (UKR) – 14,125
7. Abel, Katja                    (GER) – 13,950
8. Myzdrikova, Anna       (RUS) – 13,725

>> detailed results

WORLD CUP, Cottbus: Women s Qualification rounds ...

11. April 2008  
Cottbus / Germany  
Artistic Gymnastics

WORLD CUP, Cottbus: Women s Qualification rounds ...

DAY 1: Qualification, Women
He, Kexin (CHN)

WOMEN's World Cup Qualification Rounds

In the Lausitz-Arena in Cottbus (Germany), the qualifications of the FIG World Cup tournament closed successfully. The Chinese won twice - HE, Kexin   on uneven bars and LI, Shanshan on balance beam, European Champion in vault Oksana Chusovitina (Germany) came in first on vault and Sandra Izbasa from Romania was best on floor. 
57 gymnasts representing 24 different nations entered the competition.

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>> Warm Up in the Lausitz-Arena ...

.
32. TOURNAMENT of MASTERS 2008
- WORLD CUP, Cat. B, Artistic Gymnastics -
Cottbus / Germany, Lausitz-Arena - Friday, April 11 -
_________________________________________________________

* Q UA L I F I C A T I O N, Women

An impressive Oksana Chusovitina (GER) and a superb He, Kexin (CHN) take the lead at vaulting table and uneven bars. If they manage to perform tomorrow as they did today, they will win on these apparatuses...


* QUALIFICATION - V A U L T
_______________________

There were no surprises at vaulting table. Most of the contestants performed well, only a few fell due to over - or underrotating. The favourites convinced with strong and secure vaults.

* Oksana Chusovitina (GER): This lady is a phenomenon and presents two excellent vaults: Handspring, front Layout with 1 1/2 twists - good landing, and Tsukahara with 1 1/2 twists with a perfect landing. Last week she suffered a fall at the Europeans. This time she made up to her role as favourite: 15,225
* Jade Barbosa (BRA) was 5th in last years' vault final and shows a Yurchenko - layout with 2/1 twist in clean technique, one little side step at landing; and Round-off, 1/2 turn-fronat somersault with 1/2 turn, anither little step. Second of qualification: 14,850
* Nastassia Marachkouskaya (BLR) placed 6th at this years Europeans and presents two beautiful, high vaults with excellent technique: Yurchenko with 1 1/2 twists and a handspring, piked somersault with a small hop: 14,150
* Enikö Korcsmaros (FIN) shows two high and clean vaults: Yurchenko layout 1 1/2 and a round-off-1/2 turn, front tucked somersault, a little step to the side.
* Aisha Gerber (CAN) vaults a Yurchenko layout with 2/1 turn, however, with an instable landing: several steps to the side prevent a fall. 2nd vault: Round-off-1/2 turn-tucked somersault with 1/2 turn - a little bit low but nice.
* Areilla Käslin (SUI), 4th at the ECh at vaulting table, ist the only one who presents a handspring with a tucked somersault with full turn. She looks confident. The second vault is a little low; Yurchenko layout with full turn.
* Anna Kyzdrikova (RUS) performs a Yurchenko layout with 2/1 turn - and lands on her knees. In her 2nd vault she has evident bent knees: round-off-1/2 turn-front layout.
* Alyssa Brown (CAN) is the last gymnast whi enters the final with two secure vaults: Yurchenko-layout 1 1/2 twists; handspring-front piked somersault.

Oksana Tschussowitina (GER)

* RESULTS - Vault

1. Tschussowitina, Oksana       (GER) - 15.225
2. Barbosa, Jade                          (BRA) - 14.850
3. Marachkouskaya, Nastassia  (BLR) -14.150
4. Korcsmaros, Enikö (HUN) - 14.075
5. Gerber, Aisha          (CAN) - 14.050
6. Kaeslin, Areilla        (SUI) - 14.012
7. Myzdrikova, Anna  (RUS) - 13.825
8. Brown, Alyssa         (CAN) - 13.762
>> detailed results

>> Startlist FINAL


* QUALIFICATION - U N E V E N   B A R S
__________________________________

At uneven bars, unfortunately, a high number of gymnasts fell off the apparatus, even some strong performers of the highest level. Still, where shadow is, there also is light: dynamically performed routines with excellent body shape and both interesting elements as well as combinations inspired the audience .

* Gymnastics in perfection: He, Kexin (CHN) combines excellent technigue with  a perfect body line: 16,800 for an etraordinary routine: jaeger-salto in direct combination with a 1/2 turn to jaeger-salto, a strechted ginger-salto, dismount tsukahara. Wonderful!
She mades up for her teammate Yang, Yilin, bronce medalist from Stuttgart, who crashed into another gymnast when warming up at the uneven bars and was not able to perform.
* Steliana Nistor (ROM), one of the favourites, starts well with a a superb tkatchev, unfortunately, she falls off the apparatus performing an underswing with a half turn towards the lower bar...
*Lenika De Simone (ESP) performs good with two jaeger saltos, a doble layout as dismount.
* With Katja Abel (GER) and Jenny Brunner there will be two Germans in tomorrow’s apparatus final with different styles: Whereas the former performs controlled and in permanent move, the latter shows an aggressive routine with dynamic movements changes.
* Rebecca Downie (GBR), 8th at this years’ Europeans, performs another beautiful routine with a nice flow, clean stalder variations and several flight elements.
* Kristina Goryunova (RUS) falls at vaulting table, but demonstrates ambition on uneven bars: a very good swing technique, high and various flight elements, only a little step after her dismount.
* Anastasiya Koval (UKR) performes dynamically and with excellent amplitude and flawless technique.

Katja Abel (GER)

* RESULTS - Uneven Bars

1. He, Kexin                   (CHN) - 16.800
2. Koval, Anastasiya  (UKR) - 15.425
3. De Simone, Lenika  (ESP) 14.150
4. Abel, Katja                 (GER) - 14.150
5. Brunner, jenny         (GER) - 14.100
6. Barbosa, Jade          (BRA) - 14.050
7. Downie,Rebecca     (GBR) - 14.025
8. Goryunova, kristina (RUS) - 13.875
>> detailed results

>> Startlist FINAL
QUALIFICATION- B A L A N C E   B E A M  
___________________________________

The beam is dominated by either the Chinese or the Romanian gymnasts. Apparently, in modern beam gymnastics you do not use your arms anymore, unless you perform  a flip with a full turn: The gymnasts performed one somersault after the other.

* Li, Shanshan (CHN) placed third at the WCh with a fall! This time, she also presented an almost perferct routine, however, she had severe problems landing her dismount (double pike) this time and almost fell against the beam. But still an extraordinary routine: piked front somersault, acro series with four elements (back flip, back flip, layout, back flip to sitting position), aerial, free front handspring, somersault sidewards, and a long dismount series: round-off, back flip, double piked sommersault.
* Steliana Nistor (ROU) performed a beautiful routine being both the current Vice-World and European Champion at this piece of apparatus. One highlight of her routine is her back somersault with full turn. Optimal landing! She performs her difficulties in a flouid manner: back flip followed by two back somersaults, front somersault-back somersault, free handsprings in all directions and a dismount with only a small step: round-off, double back.
* Sandra Izbasa (ROU) shows a classy routine, however, she does not seem as secure as the Chinese and as her teammate. Still a pleasure to watch.
* Xiao, Sha (CHN) – without her fall she would be second and is still fourth! She performs almost flawlessly and shows an impressive series with 4 acro elements: two back flips, followed by a layout and another backflip. Unfortunately, she slips off the beam landing a free handspring.
* Oksana Tschussowitina (GER) demonstrated her experience and performed one of the most stable routines. Her mount is a piked somersault with perfect landing. Several acrobatic and mixed combinations and only a tiny hop after her double tuck.
* Adela Sajn (SLO) appears stable and elegant, eventhough she has little choreography in her routine.

Adela Sajn (SLO)

* RESULTS - Balance Beam

1. Li, Shanshan      (CHN) - 16.000
2. Nistor, Steliana (ROU) - 15.725
3. Izbasa, Sandra  (ROU) - 15.250
4. Xiao, Sha                           (CHN) - 14.925
5. Wevers, Sanne                 (NED) - 14.875
6. Tschussowitina, Oksana (GER) - 14.800
7. Sajn, Adela                         (SLO) - 14.625
8. Abel, Katja                          (GER) - 14.625
>> detailed results

>> Startlist FINAL

* QUALIFICATION-  F L O O R   E X E R C I S E S  
_________________________________________

Most of the gymnasts presented beautiful and attractive choreographed routines in a personal style. Evidently, acrobatic elements outweigh the gymnastic parts. However, almost the half of the contestants had conditional problems to finish their routine with a secure dismount. Anyhow, there are still some months left to the Olympic Games in Bejing...

* Sandra Izbasa (ROU), finalist in both the World and European Championships, performed once again a classy routine with 5 acro combinations – only at her dismount she hardly managed to prevent a fall. Tsukahara with a little step, somersault with 2 ½ twist in direct combination with front layount with full turn (!) , somersault with 2/1 twists, a twist combination and - an instable somersault with 3/1 twists as dismount.
* Jade Barbosa (BRA) performed a well balanced routine with a pleasant mixture of both acrobatics and gymnastic elements: 4 acro combinations with only tiny corrections at landing: double layout, piked tsukahara, two layouts with 1 1/2 twist in direct combination, double pike as dismount.
* Xiao , Sha (CHN) flirts with the audience when performing her routine which is coined by multiple twists. Like a high number of gymnasts, she has evident difficulties to manage her dismount due to her physical fitness and almost falls after her double pike.
* Anastasiya Koval (UKR) impresses with clean technique and a pleasant choreography.
* Katja Abel (GER) performed a stable routine without major mistakes, eventhough she steps over the line after her second acro series (somersault with 2 ½ twists in direct combination with a layout with ½ turn).
* Yasmin Zimmermann (AUT) is one of the few gymnasts who perform a front layout with 2/1 twist. Like Xioa she performs only one double somersaults – a piked one as dismount and with similar problems.
* Diane Dos Santos (BRA) impresses as usual with her speedy and dynamic tumbling, still her landings lack a little precision: She starts with a very high tsukahara, shows a double layout, a long series with two back whips and “only” a double tuck, and finishes with a double pike.
At this tournament most of the favourite demonstrated their abilities and skills. If they presentd confident and strong performances in the finals, there will only be a suspensful competetion on beam.

Daiane do Santos (BRA)

* RESULTS - Floor

1. Izbasa, Sandra  (ROU) - 15.000
2. Barbosa, Jade   (BRA) - 14.350
3. Xiao, Sha            (CHN) - 14.275
4. Myzdrikova, Anna       (RUS) - 13.975
5. Koval, Anastasiya       (UKR) - 13.900
6. Abel, Katja                    (GER) - 13.800
7. Zimmermann, Yasmin (SUI) - 13.800
8. Dos Santos, Daiane    (BRA) - 13.750
>> detailed results

>> Startlist FINAL

WORLD CUP, Cottbus: MEN s Qualification rounds ...

11. April 2008  
Cottbus / Germany  
Artistic Gymnastics

WORLD CUP, Cottbus: MEN s Qualification rounds ...

DAY 1: Qualification, MEN
Mateo Angioletti (ITA)

MEN's World Cup Qualification Rounds

With 117 gymnasts from 41 countries, this year's FIG-World Cup tournament in Cottbus is manned excellently again. 
During the qualifications today in the Lausitz-Arena in Cottbus (Germany), a lot of gymnasts used the competition to find out about their position before the European Championships and the Olympic Games...
Two Chinese gymnasts gained the lead in the men's competitions:  Kai ZOU on floor and Xiaopeng LI on parallel bars. Daniel Keatings (GBR) is leading the competition on pommel horse, favorite Yuri van Gelder (NED) clearly dominated the rings and Leszek Blanik (POL) came in first on vault. And World Champion on high bar Fabian Hambüchen (GER) camed in first on high bar. 

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>> Warm Up in the Lausitz-Arena ...

.
32. TOURNAMENT of MASTERS 2008
- WORLD CUP, Cat. B, * Artistic Gymnastics -
Cottbus / Germany, Lausitz-Arena - Friday, April 11 -
_________________________________________________________

* Q UA L I F I C A T I O N , MEN

There ain't much time until the European Championships and the routines should actually be ready concerning the contents or serve primarily to stabilise and improve the execution in order to get quite a high B-mark.
In the course of the competition we could see that everybody tried to include new difficult elements or connections into the routines, what still happened at the expense of the execution at this point of time. For the Olympic Games, this is certainly not the right way...
In general, the level in the finals will be excellent. But since countries like Japan, France and Australien (Rizzo, Sellathurai) are not participating although they are actually regulars here, the quality is not as high as usual, also due to the fact that  Russia send only junior gymnasts, who did a good job, however. 


* QUALIFICATION-  F L O O R   E X E R C I S E S
 _______________________________________

On floor, 37 gymnasts performed in front of the jury. Generally, there was a high amount of falls and bad technical solutions but of course also a lot of very good performances. It is remarkable that there are hardly any gymnasts who performed a simpler final element than a D-element. Almost all of them do two combined rows, where 11/2 twist backwards -1/1 twist forwards and 11/2 twist fw. or 11/2 Salto fw to roll off are almost standard. Besides the combined rows, a lot of gymnasts try to perform - more or less successfully - 2-3 single jumps of high value. These are for example double twist straight and crunched, Tsukahara straight with  1/1 and 2/1 turn, Thomas to roll off or twist with 3/1 turn.
Fabian Hambüchen (GER) qualified for the final with a fair routine, coming in second. Remarkable was Chinese Zou, Kai. He was impressive concerning difficulty and execution and belongs to the closer circle of favorites. Tomas Gonzales' (CHI) performance was remarkable as well: With a tempo somersault - 3/1 twist back followed by 11/2 somersault fw into push-up he showed a spectacular row and was rewarded with a place in the final.

* RESULS - floor

1. Zou, Kai                       (CHN) - 15.600
2. Hambüchen, Fabian (GER) - 15.525
3. Gonzales, Tomas      (CHI) - 15.425
4. Yakubvskyi, Oleksandr (UKR) - 15.375
5. Bogonosiuk Jevgenii    (UKR) - 15.150
6. Palgen, Sascha             (LUX) - 15.125
7. Gafuik, Nathan              (CAN) - 15.125
8. Ude, Filip                        (CRO) - 14.925
>> detailed results

>> Startlist FINAL
* QUALIFICATION- P O M M E L   H O R S E
__________________________________

The largest starting field of the whole qualification: 49 gymnasts competed to participate in the finals. A similar impression as on floor. As for the content and the execution, the exercises are very good, but there are a lot of falls or other breaks in the routines. Last year's finalist  A. Fokin (UZB) opened the qualification with a very neat performance. But obviously the A-mark was too low with 5,9 in order to reach the final again. D. Keatings (GBR) managed to get into the final and left even K. Berki (HUN) on the second position. The multiple medal-winner in international competitions had smaller difficulties but could compensate them with a high A-mark of  6,7. The young Russian R. Nigmadzyanov showed a remarkable performance, too. He came in eigth with a difficult routine, which he presented quite dynamically. Other favorites will be spectators tomorrow.  
Moving cross fw and bw, Russenwendeschwünge in diverse support positions, flops and  Wu Guonian are the elements which make up the basis of most routines. There are hardly any gymnasts who try a turn 1/1 on one pommel or a Stöckli converse 360° on one pommel. The different versions of Thomas-circling, beloved among the public, were rare, too. 
From the German point of view, the horse qualification was not successful. Robert Juckel had no break-up but an A-mark of 5,9 and smaller insecurities, which made him miss the final in the end.

Robert Seligmann (CRO)

* RESULTS - Pommel Horse

1. Keatings, Daniel    (GBR) - 15.800
2. Berki, Krisztian     (HUN) - 15.800
3. Seligman, Robert (CRO) - 15.525
4. Smith, Louis                     (GBR) - 15.350
5. Tsarevich, Aliaksandr    (BLR) - 15.325
6. Truyens, Donna-Donny (BEL) - 15.125
7. Kyksenkov, Mykola         (UKR) - 15.075
8. Nigmadzyanov, Ruslan (RUS) - 15.050
 >> detailed results

>> Startlist FINAL


* QUALIFICATION- S T I L L   R I N G S
________________________________

Gymnastics on rings has become more versatile again. The routines do not consists just in series of strength elements anymore. All gymnasts try to connect more or less top-class strength elements with swing elements. We saw  Jonasson - Yamawaki quite often, followed by Honmastemming or Stemming in a power support. Among others, Ruslan Nigmadzyanow (RUS) and Oleksandr Vorobyov (UKR)  did this synthesis well and reached the final. Some of the gymnasts with a lot of potential in strength do have problems to combine the swing elements with the necessary technical perfection.
Yuri van Gelder (NED) impressed with power combinations but also showed an improved swing combination. A- mark 6,8 - he has once shown more but if he wants to defeat American Kevin Tan tomorrow he maybe has to risk a little more. 
On rings as well, the German participants Thomas Taranu and Robert Weber did not have the qualities yet to seriously get involved into the run for the finals.

* RESULTS - Still Rings

1. Van Gelder, Yuri        (NED) - 16,050
2. Tan, Kevin                  (USA) - 16,025
3. Kurbabayev, Timur   (KAZ) - 15,775
4. Angioletti, Mateo               (ITA) - 15,675
5. Giogallas, irodotos          (CYP) - 15,325
6. Nigmadzyanov, Ruslan  (RUS) - 15,300
7. Vorobyov, Oleksandr     (UKR) - 15,250
8. Botella Issac                    (ESP) - 15,075
>> detailed results

>> Startlist FINAL
* QUALIFICATION-  V A U L T   
_________________________

The Germans did a good job in the wake of the second part of the qualification. Fabian Hambüchen reached the final safely with two very good vaults. Marcel Nguyen achieved this as well with a top flashover double somersault into a safe stand and a straight Kasamatsu with 3/2 turns. He landed seated after his second vault, but the 6,6 basic score twice ensured his place in the final. World Champion on vault Leszek Blanik (POL) showed two vaults of the highest category and reached the final unchallengedly with the highest score. Andriy Isayev (UKR) presented two top-class vaults in a neat execution as well and therewith belongs to the favorites. With a high basic score small mistakes in the accomplishment are easily compensated so that two top-class vaults are half the way to the final.

Luis Rivera (PUR)

* RESULTS - Vault

1. Blanik, Leszek                    (POL) - 16.337
2. Isayev, Andriy                    (UKR) - 16.062
3. Yakubovskyi, Oleksandr  (UKR) - 15.950
4. Rivera, Luis                 (PUR) - 15.912
5. Hambüchen, Fabian  (GER) - 15.900
6. Gonzales, Tomas       (CHI) - 15.700
7. Yerimbetov, Yernar    (KAZ) - 15.675
8. Nguyen, Marcel          (GER) - 15.637
>> detailed results

>> Startlist FINAL

* QUALIFICATION-  P A R A L L E L   B A R S     
___________________________________

Not all favorites saved their bacon on parallel bars either. Again, it was the third of the last WORLDS on this apparatus, Anton Fokin (UZB), who had to say goodbye to his chances after a mistake. By far the best exercise was shown by Chinese Li Xiaopeng. With circle into the handstand, circle 1/1 into the handstand, Tippelt and four more flight elements he left all the others behind. Fabian Hambüchen showed an excellent routine as well, especially concerning the execution; he qualified second for the final.

Marcel Nguyen (GER) was unlucky. Instead of the Tsukahara-finish he showed a recently included crunched Belle. Unfortunately, exactly the new element failed. But there is some time left until the Olympics and a routine with a crunched Belle and Tsukahara will lead him directly to the international top-class. 
Almost every gymnast included the several versions of circles. There are more and more Belles in the exercises. V. Tsolakidis continued Greek traditions. He showed Diamidow 1/2 and Diamidow out of hanging on the upper arms and reached the final, too. The one-sided finishes have not changed, though. There are hardly any gymnasts who try anything else than a double somersault bw crunched. 

* RESULTS - Parallel Bars

1. Li, Xiaopeng                   (CHN) - 16.500
2. Hambüchen, Fabian     (GER) - 15.950
3. Tsarevich, Aliaksandr  (BLR) - 15.600
4. Tsolakidis, Vasileios  (GRE) - 15.525
5. Piasecky, Samuel       (SVK) - 15.475
6. Petkovsek, Mitja          (SLO) - 15.400
7. Kierzkowski, Adam     (POL) - 15.325
8. Tan, Kevin                    (USA) - 15.225
>> detailed results

>> Startlist FINAL


* QUALIFICATION-  H I G H    B A R     
_____________________________

Two participations in the finals for German gymnasts again: Fabian HambüchenReck ensured his place in the final on high bar with an accurately peformend routine and the highest score. Robert Weber performed well, too, and came in sixth for the final.
As before, the routines are dominated by turns around the axis in several ways. A lot of gymnasts received lower B-marks due to insufficient end lays after the turns. The two Chinesen were closest to Fabian Hambüchen with their performances. Li Xiaopeng showed two interesting flight versions. First, Adlerschwung 1/1 with Markelow instantly and Adlerschwung 1/2 with instant Tkatchew. These combinations were rare. Vlasios Maras (GRE) will be there in the final again, but we have seen him in better routines already. 
In general, there were quite a lot of instabilities on high bar as well at this point of time. Still, the gymnasts who reached the finals ensure a high-level competition on Sunday.


Fabian Hambuechen (GER)

* RESULTS - High Bar

1. Hambüchen, Fabian (GER) - 16.075
2. Li, Xiaopeng               (CHN) - 15.925
3. Zou, Kai                       (CHN) - 15.825
4. Kyksenkov, Mykola (UKR) - 15.300
5. Kuzmin, Timur          (RUS) - 15.075
6. Weber, Robert          (GER) - 15.000
7. Maras, Vlasios         (GRE) - 14.975
8. Konecny, Martin       (CZE) - 14.875
>> detailed results

>> Startlist FINAL



one day before: American men in a threesome

10. April 2008  
Cottbus / Germany  
Artistic Gymnastics

one day before: American men in a threesome

Kai Wen (Kevin) TAN (USA)

The US gymnasts are coming without their Olympic Champion Paul Hamm, but still in a threesome to the pre-Olympic World Cup event in Cottbus:
Guillermo Alvarez, Sean Golden and KevinTan, all of them of the WORLDS team in Stuttgart who still remember their displacment to the fourth position by the German squad...!

Especially Kevin TAN is aiming at a revenge facing van Gelder and Jovtshev, who displaced him tp the fourth positions in the WORLDS rings final  ...
Surprisingly, the Swiss gymnasts are not participating at all in the WORLDS-year and the US girls are rarely participating, too.

Victor Cano (ESP) - Expert on horse for the allrounder

Rafael Martinez de-registered as well, instead of him Victor CANO will be there - who is not bad at all either!
As for the Belorussians, the old international "warhorse" Dmitri Sawitzky will be replaced by young Ihar Kazlou...

Denmark registered belatedly and will come with a men's team of four, among others with Helge Vammen as best Danish gymnast in the all around competition (77th) of the last WORLDS in Stuttgart, so that the registrations comprise a total of 41 countries and 117 athletes one day before the qualification (from Friday 1pm on).

Lichelle WONG (NED)

As for the women the starting field is, as mostly, much smaller:
Until today, 57 young ladies from 24 countries have registered. 
Belgium retreated completely, while the Netherlands registered belatedly and will participate with Lichelle  WONG, EuCh finalist on uneven bars of 2007, with Sanne WEVERS and junior gymnast Tahnee MASELA.  All of them just participated in the European Championships in Clermont-Ferrand, ranking only 8th in the team finals, but surprised with a bronze medal in the juniors' competitions and four positions in the finals. 

Together with Oksana TSCHUSSOWITINA and Katja ABEL, EuCh-starter Jenny BRUNNER from Chemnitz will still participate to Cottbus for the German host.

*- GYMmedia summarizes the course of the qualifications on Friday in the evening.

Glance at the the men s World Cup competition 2008 in Cottbus

07. April 2008  
Cottbus / Germany  
Artistic Gymnastics

Glance at the the men s World Cup competition 2008 in Cottbus

The German company SPIETH Gymnastic has been supporting the GYMmedia Weltcup-Service from Cottbus for years!

For the international elite, the qualifications of the 32nd "TOURNAMENT of MASTERS" on Friday, April 11th, in the Lausitz-Arena in Cottbus will be the actual starting signal of the Olympic year 2008. 
The rush corresponds to this:
Over 110 men from 44 countries and 67 young ladies from 31 countries, all of them being the most outstanding representatives of their discipline, will meet to compete and for a serious test of their programs.  
While the ladies can seize their chances for a EuCh-revenge, ( > Clermont-Ferrand), at least for the European men this will be a welcome dry run before the continental championships in May in Lausanne (Switzerland) ...

LI, Xiaopeng - Superstar...!

What a competition...!
As for the men, it seems that the old strategist LI, Xiaopeng has been missing Cottbus since he won the floor final here nine years ago (1999).
With 16 years of age he was part of the WORLDS-squad in 1997 in Lausanne already, in 2000 he was Olympic Champion and multiple World Champion on vault and bars in Tianjin, Debrecen, Anaheim .... now, the 26-year-old is lured by Beijing, Olympic Games at home...!

And he is taking the young ZHOU Kai to Cottbus to start for the Olympic host China.

... we are anxious to see the duels on horse, where Krisztian BERKI from Hungary, winner last year, has to compete with the young, support-ambitioned Louis SMITH from the UK.
Local hero Robert JUCKEL wants to reach the final on horse as well. His last dry run in the National Team Cup in Buttenwiesen  was not bad at all! 

Jordan Jowtschev: If he is fit for Beijing, these would be his fifth Olympic Games...!

Genuine giants on rings will fight for the sovereignty over the airspace in the Lausitz-Arena:
Names like Yuri VAN GELDER (NED), Jordan JOWTSCHEW (BUL) make the experts click their tongues, and not only them. The younger ones want to give these gymnasts a good dressing down again, just like the 17-year-old Alexander BALANDIN (RUS) did last year; he is in the rings final already....

World Champion on vault Leszek BLANIK from Poland is reaching for golden Olympic dreams after his gold medal in Stuttgart - for him, too, Cottbus will be the most important station on his way to Beijing...

How about the Chinese "sovereignty over the beams"?
The Ukrainian Olympic Champion on parallel bars of Athens 2004 will be there, the Greek beams-expert TSOLAKIDIS, too, and World and European Champion as well as multiple World Cup Champion Mitja PETKOVSEK.
Will Germany's elegant Marcel NGUYEN reach the final among the best gymnasts on this apparatus?

... Fabian Hambüchen cheering one week before Cottbus at his start into the season in the 3rd NTC-Cup

In Cottbus, the weather is always flyable ...!
Under this arena roof in Lausitz region, the very best gymnasts on the king of apparatuses will meet again like so many times before:
A home match actually for the current World Champion on high bar Fabian Hambüchen.
After he has accomplished his Pre-Olympic competition start into the meaningful year 2008 one week ago at the 3rd National Teamcup in Buttenwiesen, he will meet with top-class competitors already: 
- Ex-champion Aljaz PEGAN, who is still fighting for an extra-ticket to Beijing...!
- Ex-World Champion Vlasios MARAS from Greece who wants to manage the Hattrick here after 2006 and 2007 ... and to defeat Hambüchen is a goal for many!

Downright gymnastics diamonds want to shine in the early run-up  to the Olympic Games.
Cottbus will be the mecca of international gymnastics again from April 11th to13th!
* E. Herholz

There will also be top-class lady visitors at the World Cup in Cottbus ...

08. April 2008  
Cottbus / Germany  
Artistic Gymnastics

There will also be top-class lady visitors at the World Cup in Cottbus ...

Oksana Tschussovitina (32)
die 'Queen Mum' of gymnasticsgained gold on vault in the EuCh

Genuine Pre-Olympic contests...
About 70 young ladies from 32 countries are expected to come to the qualifications in Cottbus on Friday. More than one third of them  - 26 to be exact - just participated in the recent European Championships in Clermont-Ferrand.

Of course, the new German European Champion on vault Oksana TSCHUSSOVITINA will be welcomed happily in Cottbus - by the way for the 12th (!) time since  1990 - actually she could receive the honorary citizenship of Cottbus for this alone ... and she is on the second position with 8 victories in Cottbus behind legend Maxi Gnauck with 18 victories ...

For a EuCh-revenge, the lovely new European Champion on floor Sandra IZBASA from Romania will be there for example and has to compete with, among others, the energetic Ex-World Champion from Brasil Diane DOS SANTOS  ...

SPIETH Gymnastic
- has been supporting the GYMmedia Event Service from the Weltcup in Cottbus for years!

For the ladies, there is already top-class Chinese challenge in the Olympic year 2008:
No one else but Vice World Champion of Stuttgart LI, Shanshan will be there and meet with the Romanian experts on beam  IZBASA - who just became Europe's Vice in Clermont-Ferrand - and with her top-class compatriot Steliana NISTOR.

Pre-Olympic, Chinese quality test in Cottbus: Vice-World Champion LI, Shanshan

... the warm-up for the record in Olympic participations continues: Beijing would be Oksana Tschussovitina's fifth Olympic Games!

YANG, Yilin also comes from the Chinese WORLDS Silver-team; the winner of the bronze medal in the WORLDS will be a real test for Marie-Sophie HINDERMANN on uneven bars, who was in the same final back then as best German gymnast!
And since HE, Kexin and XIAO, Sha are from the same Chinese Vice World Champions team, the women's competition in Cottbus will be a genuine Pre-Olympic test for all!

The German hosts are are coming with their team of the EuCh, that is with the experienced gymnasts Oksana TSCHUSSOVITINA,  who wants to further prepare for her fifth (!) Olympic participation, and Katja ABEL,  Marie-Sophie HINDERMANN,

... whether Joeline MÖBIUS will have cured her foot injury is being awaited.

Russia - who has just been the most successful country in the EuCh with three gold medals - sends her European Champion on vault 2006 (Volos), 18-year-old Anna GRUDNO, who was third on vault in Amsterdam last year and who won the World Cup in Ghent; with her, the current EuCh-finalist on uneven bars Karina MIJASNIKOWA, Kristina GORJUNOWA and  Anna MYSDRIKOWA are coming, the latter ones representing two more super talents out of the seemingly unfailing reservoir of the school of Russian gymnastics ...

We can be sure that there will be another increase in quality in women's artistic gymnastics after the already top-class European Championships at this early point of time in the Olympic year. The special appeal of this 32nd "Turnier der Meister" will without any doubt be the competitions between top-class European gymnasts and top competitors from overseas. 
* gymmedia

International Tournament of Masters 2008 postponed...

15. Oktober 2007  
Cottbus / Germany  
Artistic Gymnastics

International Tournament of Masters 2008 postponed...


New Date confirmed!

... Cottbus Tournament as dress rehearsal for ECh 2008
The 32nd International Tournament of Masters is to take place two weeks later than originally planned in the Olympic year 2008 at the Cottbus Lausitz-Arena. The new dates for the tournament are definitely now the 11th to 13th April 2008, confirmed by F.I.G. in October 2007.
The gymnastics tournament will thus become a dress rehearsal for the men's European championships which will take place in Lausanne (Switzerland) just a little later...

The change was agreed by the host, the SC Cottbus Turnen  e.V. and the international association F.I.G.
«The traditional date for the tournament at the end of March would have been just one week before the women's ECh, not a good date. We had to take measures and agreed to this solution with all interested parties.", the SCC writes on its homepage.

New director of tounament after ten years...
It has not so far been decided who will act as director of tournament next year.
Silvio Kroll is leaving to head the Olympic training facility in Stuttgart from September 01 on.
The 42-year-old, himself two times gymnastics world champion, been in charge of the Tournament of Masters since 1997.
Info: SCC

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