AZERBAIJANI RHYTHMIC GYMNAST ALIYA GARAYEVA BECOMES EUROPEAN CHAMPION
The 23rd European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship wrapped up in Baku on 1 July with the winners of the junior group and individual finals announced. Azerbaijan has finished the tournament with one gold (individual) and one bronze medal (team competition).
Azerbaijani gymnast Aliya Garayeva (18,150) was the best in rope exercises leaving behind Russia’s Vera Sessina (18.050) and Olga Kapranova (17.750).
Olga Kapranova (18.325), Anna Bessonova (18.050, Ukraine) and Vera Sessina (17.600) took the first, second and third places respectively in hoop routines.
Vera Sessina (18.000) won the gold medal with clubs, while Olga Kapranova yet scoring the same, won silve
r because of 0.5 penalty points. Bronze medal went to Ukraine’s Anna Bessonova (17.850). 
In ribbon routines, Yevgenia Kanayeva, Russia was the best with 18.275 points leaving behind Anna Bessonova (18.100) and Vera Sessina (17.825). Azerbaijani gymnast Aliya Garayeva took the fourth place in this discipline.
Russia (26.575), Bulgaria (25.875) and Belarus (24.975) took the first, second and third places respectively in the junior group competition. 
Azerbaijani team consisting of Aelita Khalafova, Nigyar Mirzoyeva, Jeyla Gouliyeva, Aziza Salimbeyova and Jamilya Huseynova ranked fourth with 24.500 points.
The 24th European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship will be held in 2008 in Turin, Italy.
Other news in this section
