Was there any other country apart from Russia??????

[mar_m]

That is so sad for a rythmic gymnastics lover (like myself) to watch other countries being overcomed by Russia at major competitions. I mean, they sure have the technique and they do have amazing gymnasts but yet there are so many other gymnasts from other countries who are left out because Russia always overshadows other countries.

I was in Moscow to witness the whole European Competition. I saw the Russian shine their gold medals around but I have also seen amazing performances by other gymnasts, most of them practicly unknown by the general public. Just because they're not from Russia it doesn't necessarily mean that they're not as good as the russians. I think it's time to give some space to other countries to , other gymnasts to shine, and there are so many left aside. (And I proved it myself).


Countries who are improving:


-AZERBAIJAN

- BULGARIA (Great technique)

- SPAIN

- ITALY

- PORTUGAL

- GREECE


Names to remember:

- Aliya Garayeva (AZERBAIJAN)

- Filipa Siderova (BULGARIA)

- Jennifer Colino (SPAIN)

- Sara Caetano (PORTUGAL - amazing hoop routine and yet 11th place)

- Eleni Andriola (GREECE)

And so many others I've probably forgot. I remember these group of gymnasts because in my opinion they were almost as good as the Russians. Meanwhile, let's hope they can make it next time. Probably Russia will be at the podium as always... whatever. I just think that's such a shame.

By the way: Bessonova deserved gold! Sessina Silver and Godunko Bronze. Kabayeva didn´t deserve to step on the podium in my opinion.

[Guest]

i totally agree about Sara Caetano (PORTUGAL) and Eleni Andriola (GREECE)

[Wednesday]

I think Zhukova deserved being in the podium instead of Sessina.

Bessonova, Godunko and Inna have a lot of merit in their sport career because I find very difficult to try to do your best in each competition when you know that you are going to be beated by any Russian gymnast: Kabaeva or Marina Shpekht, it doesn't matter. And they always give their best!

It's almost impossible to find a solution. RG it's a very special sport. For instance, in football (soccer) you never find a Spanish referee in a match of Spanish national team. In RG you find a Russian judge in a competition where Russian gymnasts participate, and the best of all a national team manager can be a judge! It seems a joke but it's true.
_________________
The most incredible thing about prodigies is that happen.

[mar_m]

Yeah, I think Sara was the revelation of these champs, at least to me. I have never seen her before, never heard of her till I saw her live in Moscow. Wonderful figure and very expressive on the carpet. Really great gymnast with a promissing future ahead of her. She is still a Junior after all.


If anyone here could get a video of her at these Europeans it would be really great!

Her hoop routine as well as her clubs routine were both very good endeed.

[Guest]

maybe you can find photos and videos of her at bucharest on the related topic of the competition she went last month

[maite.hummel]

but as far as i know the gymnasts from azerbaidjan are pupils of irina viner, so they also train in moscow. same thing with kasachstan. it is a trend that also figure skating shows. former countries of the ussr participate independently although they are trained by the russian delegation. so it is not a wonder that they improved.

[Cirilio]