Review July 24, 2009
KAOHSIUNG (TPE), FIG Office, July 24, 2009: Spectators at tonight’s Aerobic Gymnastics Qualifications and Finals saw high profile competitors in the Men’s Individual and Mixed Pair categories working the floor at a sold out Cultural Centre Jhihde Hall in Kaohsiung. The gymnasts entered with gusto to a lively eight count beat, after which Mr Tsai Ching-hua (TPE), Director of the Kaohsiung Education Bureau, gave a warm reception to spectators, delegations and athletes alike. In his inaugural speech FIG Vice President Dr Michel Léglise (FRA) addressed the public with words of welcome, wished the best of luck to all participants and declared the competitions open. Special guests tonight were IWGA President Ron Fröhlich (USA) and IOC Members C.K. Wu (TPE) and Syed Shahid Ali (PAK), who were passionate about following these Finals. After the four athlete and judge representatives had taken their oaths, the first of two days of hot Aerobic action at the 2009 World Games began.
Here is how it all went down:
Men’s Individual
22 year old World Champion Ivan Parejo (ESP) once again outdid his nemesis. Having performed first during the Final, his first-rate performance (21.050) could not be topped. Up second, France’s Morgan Jacquemin (20) gave a powerful routine (20.900) while 19 year old Alexander Kondratichev from Russia, fired up by his team mates, showed steady performances throughout the Qualifications (2nd) and Finals. He landed in third with a score of 20.600, edging out China’s Ao Jinping by a narrow .050. Top of the FIG World Ranking Mircea Zamfir (ROU) led the Qualifications, but with a meagre 20.550 points he was resigned to fifth place in the end. Italian Emanuele Pagliuca bottomed out at tonight’s Final, while Zsolt Roik (HUN) and Matthew Levy (RSA) failed to even qualify.
Results Qualifications
Results Finals
Gold – PAREJO Ivan (ESP) – Total: 21.050
Silver – JACQUEMIN Morgan (FRA) – Total: 20.900
Bronze – KONDRATICHEV Alexander (RUS) – Total: 20.600
Mixed Pair
Confirming their lead in the Qualification, France’s Mixed Pair and World Champions Aurélie Joly and Morgan Chaninet took home the Gold tonight! The Pair thrilled an animated crowd with spectacular lifts, and was awarded a winning 20.750 for their performance. The young Spanish duo Sara Moreno (19) and Vicente Lli (18), winners of the 2009 FIG World Cup in Borovets (BUL) in May, continued with what is a fantastic season for them, capturing a Silver at these World Games (20.375). With a score of 20.350 China’s He Shijian and Huang Jinxuan fell back into third after ranking second in the qualifying round; they edged out Romania by only .050 points. And while Russia was sitting pretty in a medal rank after the preliminaries, they placed a scant fifth in the Final. Portugal slid into sixth, while Brazil and Chinese Taipei watched the final round from a distance.
Results Qualifications
Results Finals
Gold – FRA: JOLY Aurélie – CHANINET Julien - Total: 20.750
Silver – ESP: MORENO Sara – Lli Vicente - Total: 20.375
Bronze – CHN: HE Shijian – HUANG Jinxuan – Total: 20.350
Click on titles for detailed result lists.
After a sensational day of gymnastic performances in the Cultural Centre Jhihde Hall, fans will be back tomorrow to see the Women’s Individual, Trio and Group competitions firsthand!
