EnBW World Cup A in Artistic Gymnastics
Stuttgart (GER), November 13-14

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, November 15, 2009: The 2009 FIG World Cup Series in Artistic Gymnastics concluded Saturday in Stuttgart (GER) with gymnasts battling it out not only for World Cup medals, but for a range of overall titles to boot.

In the Men’s tournament, the favourites secured the top ranking positions. 2007 World Champion Diego Hypolito (BRA) bagged the Gold on Floor and secured the overall Series title on this apparatus. 2008 title holder from the Stuttgart tournament and new World Champion Zhang Hongtao (CHN) prevailed on Pommel Horse, but the series title went to Hungary’s Krisztian Berki. 2008 Olympic Champion on Rings Chinese Chen Yibing outscored his rivals in Stuttgart, garnering the World Cup Gold. Russia’s Konstantin Pluzhnikov, who ranked fifth yesterday, took the overall title on Rings. The Vault competition saw 2009 World Silver medallist Flavius Koczi (ROU) edging out Germany’s Matthias Fahrig by a minimal margin. The title of the series went to the Netherland’s Jeffrey Wammes, who failed to qualify for the Vault Final this time around. Wang Guanyin, 2009 World Champion on Parallel Bars, claimed Stuttgart’s World Cup Gold, but the series was won by Slovenian Mitja Petkovsek. Epke Zonderland (NED), 2009 World runner-up on Horizontal Bar, bagged a double victory this weekend. He left Stuttgart with World Cup Gold and the overall title.

In Women’s, top qualifier Jana Komrskova (CZE) beat Switzerland’s Ariella Kaeslin on Vault, claiming the Gold for herself. The overall title went to Russia’s Ekaterina Kurbatova. Kim Bui, reigning national All-around Champion and London finalist, made host Germany proud by winning the Uneven Bars competition. Kurbatova, who only just missed the Bars Final in London last month, laid hold of her second overall title here in Stuttgart. Romania’s new star and 2009 World All-around finalist Ana Porgras was phenomenal on Beam this weekend; masterful work and skill gave her reason to be proud, but the overall Gold went to Dutch Sanne Wevers. China’s Sui Lu, 2009 World Bronze medallist on Floor, was the only female gymnast to prevail in both the Stuttgart tournament and the overall series.

Men

Floor
1. HYPOLITO Diego BRA 15.825
2. SHATILOV Alexander ISR 15.200
2. GONZALEZ SEPULVEDA Enrique Tomas CHI 15.200
4. DRAGULESCU Marian ROU 14.925
5. THOMAS Kristian GBR 14.775
6. FAHRIG Matthias GER 14.575
7. UDE Filip CRO 13.950
8. WAMMES Jeffrey NED 13.725

Pommel Horse
1. ZHANG Hongtao CHN 16.225
2. SELLATHURAI Prashanth AUS 16.025
3. BERKI Krisztian HUN 15.950
4. BERTONCELJ Saso SLO 15.525
5. PEREVOZNIKOV Andrey RUS 15.275
6. SELIGMAN Robert CRO 14.875
7. CAMERON Christopher USA 14.200
8. SABOT Hamilton FRA 13.125

Rings
1. CHEN Yibing CHN 15.650
2. NABARRETE ZANETTI Arhur BRA 15.200
3. PALMA SIMOES Gustavo POR 14.800
4. HAAGENSEN Wesley USA 14.700
5. PLUZHNIKOV Konstantin RUS 14.650
6. RAMOS Tommy PUR 14.575
7. TARANU Thomas GER 14.400
8. FOLWELL Luke GBR 13.425

Vault
1. KOCZI Flavius ROU 15.987
2. FAHRIG Matthias GER 15.975
3. SAPRONENKO Jevgenijs LAT 15.887
4. GAFUIK Nathan CAN 15.825
5. HYPOLITO Diego BRA 15.737
6. LYSZCZARZ Marek POL 15.600
7. TUUHA Tomi FIN 15.462
8. BERBECAR Marius ROU 15.275

Parallel Bars
1. WANG Guanyin CHN 15.950
2. SABOT Hamilton FRA 15.375
3. NGUYEN Marcel GER 15.150
4. ZONDERLAND Epke NED 15.100
5. HAAGENSEN Wesley USA 14.800
6. KULESZA Roman POL 14.575
7. PIASECKY Samuel SVK 14.125
8. KIERZKOWSKI Adam POL 13.325

Horizontal Bar
1. ZONDERLAND Epke NED 15.675
2. ZHANG Chenglong CHN 15.300
3. MOZNIK Marijo CRO 15.150
4. SABOT Hamilton FRA 14.725
5. PIASECKY Samuel SVK 14.350
6. WAMMES Jeffrey NED 14.325
7. THOMAS Kristian GBR 13.950
8. KULESZA Roman POL 13.225

Women

Vault
1. KOMRSKOVA Jana CZE 14.212
2. KAESLIN Ariella SUI 13.912
3. BUI Kim GER 13.725
4. KING Marissa GBR 13.550
5. KLARENBACH Kristin CAN 13.412
6. TKALCEC Tijana CRO 13.375
7. MAKSIUTA Valeriia ISR 13.237
8. LEAL Bruna BRA 12.937

Uneven Bars
1. BUI Kim GER 14.525
2. PIHANKULESZA Marta POL 14.000
3. LEAL Bruna BRA 13.750
4. FRANCO Ethiene BRA 13.725
5. SIKULOVA Jana CZE 13.675
6. SEITZ Elisabeth GER 12.325
7. GALIULINA Luisa UZB 12.275
8. VANWALLEGHEM Aagje BEL 11.325

Beam
1. PORGRAS Ana ROU 14.625
2. ROLL Maike GER 13.575
3. SEMENOVA Ksenia RUS 13.525
4. GALIULINA Luisa UZB 13.125
5. SEITZ Elisabeth GER 13.075
6. MAKSIUTA Valeriia ISR 12.800
7. RIJKEN Marlies NED 12.475
8. KOMRSKOVA Jana CZE 12.275

Floor
1. SUI Lu CHN 14.125
2. BUI Kim GER 14.000
3. SEITZ Elisabeth GER13.775
4. LEAL Bruna BRA 13.175
5. PIHANKULESZA Marta POL 13.100
6. BLIND Natasja NED 13.050
7. MYS Gaelle BEL 12.150
8. COBELLO Priscila BRA 11.575

Check the detailed results!

The updated FIG World Ranking lists for Artistic can now be consulted online.
Men
Women

EnBW World Cup A in Artistic Gymnastics
Stuttgart (GER), November 13-14

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, November 10, 2009: Next weekend, from November 13-14, the world’s top specialists in Artistic Gymnastics will battle it out for victory at the EnBW World Cup at the Porsche-Arena in Stuttgart (GER). As the last tournament of the year, and just after Osijek, this category A World Cup will also determine the winners of the overall 2009 Series. Continuing on Sunday with the final stopover of the Champions Trophy, a true crowd pleaser for fans of the Men’s All-around competition, Stuttgart is the place to be for gymnastics enthusiasts this weekend!

A total of 139 participants (92 men and 47 women) from 34 different countries are expected to compete at the World Cup, and the high-calibre line-up promises to provide exciting competitions.

In the Men’s tournament, a number of Olympic and World Champions such as Brazilian Diego Hypolito (2007 World Champion on Floor), Chinese Chen Yibing (2008 Olympic Champion on Rings), Zhang Hongtao (2009 World Champion on Pommel Horse), Wang Guanyin (2009 World Champion on Parallel Bars) and Slovenians Aljaz Pegan (2005 World Champion on Horizontal Bar) and Mitja Petkovsek (2007 World Champion on Parallel Bars) will make their appearance in Stuttgart. In addition, top players such as Prashanth Sellathurai (AUS), Krisztian Berki (HUN) and Great Britain’s Louis Smith will be spicing up the Pommel Horse event, while London Bronze medallist Alexander Shatilov (ISR) pursues a medal on Floor alongside Romanian Flavius Koczi, 2009 World Silver medallist on Vault, and Uzbekistan’s Anton Fokin, 2008 Olympic Bronze medallist on Parallel Bars.

Host Germany is counting on 2009 World Championship participants Marcel Nguyen (12th in the All-around) and Sebastian Krimmer (23rd on Parallel Bars and 26th on Pommel Horse).

In Women’s events, China’s Sui Lu, 2009 World Bronze medallist on Floor, Romania’s newcomer Ana Porgras, 3rd on Uneven Bars and 7th in London’s All-around, and Swiss Ariella Kaeslin, who won Silver on Vault in London, are the hot shots in Stuttgart. Keep an eye on Czech gymnasts Jana Komrskova (1st on Vault; 2nd on Beam) and Jana Sikulova (2nd on Uneven Bars), as well as Croatians Tijana Tkalcec (2nd on Vault) and Tina Erceg (3rd on Beam and Floor), and Israel’s Valeria Maksiuta (3rd on Uneven Bars), all of whom medalled at last weekend’s World Cup in Osijek (CRO).

Germany will be well represented by reigning national All-around Champion and London finalist Kim Bui, as well as Elisabeth Seitz, who dazzled Londoners on Floor (19th), Anja Brinker, winner of the World Cup in Cottbus on Uneven Bars earlier this year, and Maike Roll.

Check out the nominative entry list!

For further information on the World Cup connect at: http://www.dtbpokal.de/der-weltcup.html

2008 Title holders

Men

Floor - HAMBUECHEN Fabian (GER) 15.525
Pommel Horse - ZHANG Hongtao (CHN) 16.300
Rings - VAN GELDER Yuri (NED) and YAN Mingyong 16.650
Vault - BOUHAIL Thomas (FRA) 16.200
Parallel Bars - FENG Zhe (CHN) 16.200
Horizontal Bar - HAMBUECHEN Fabian (GER) 16.275

Women

Vault - CHENG Fei (CHN) 14.900
Uneven Bars - HE Ning (CHN) 15.350
Balance Beam - CHENG Fei (CHN) 15.425
Floor - CHENG Fei (CHN) 15.250

FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup A
Osijek (CRO), November 6 - 8, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, November 9, 2009: An enthusiastic crowd saw 14 London World Championship finalists, five medallists and two newly crowned champions performing at the second to last Artistic Gymnastics World Cup of the 2009 season in Osijek (CRO) last weekend.

With four Gold medals and one Bronze, China topped the rankings in Osijek, followed by Romania with two Gold and the Czech Republic with one Gold and two Silver medals. Host Croatia collected a total of five medals (two Silver and three Bronze). A total of twelve nations divvied up the medals ranks.

Men

Pommel Horse

World Champion Zhang Hongtao from China confirmed his excellence and prevailed on Pommel Horse (16.075), placing first ahead of Slovenia’s Saso Beroncelj (15.350) and Russia’s Andrej Perevožnikov (15.325). The host country’s Robert Seligman and Romanian Flavius Koczi, both of whom qualified for the Apparatus Final in London, ranked 4th and 6th respectively. Even though he improved on the 14.350 that qualified him in second place, Hungarian Zoltan Kallai had to reconcile himself to a final 5h rank.

Gold - Zhang Hongtao (CHN) 16.075
Silver - Sašo Bertoncelj (SLO) 15.350
Bronze - Andrej Perevožnikov (RUS) 15.325

4. Robert Seligman (CRO) 15.225
5. Zoltan Kallai (HUN) 14.500
6. Flavius Koczi (ROU) 13.950
7. Peter Marjan (HUN) 13.475
8. Marko Brez (CRO) 11.775

Rings

As expected, 2008 Olympic Champion and top qualifier Chen Yibing made the race thrilling on Rings (15.775). He relegated Russia’s Konstantin Pluznikov (15.650) and 2009 World Bronze medallist from Ukraine Olexander Vorobiev (15.250) to ranks two and three respectively. With 15.200 points Brasil’s Arthur Zanetti only just missed the podium, giving in to yet another 4th place after the Final in London. Jordanian Ali Al Asi was unable to repeat his qualifying score of 15.075, finishing 5th.

Gold - Chen Yibing (CHN) 15.775
Silver - Konstantin Pluznikov (RUS) 15.650
Bronze - Olexander Vorobiev (UKR) 15.250

4. Arthur Zanetti (BRA) 15.200
5. Ali Al Asi (JOR) 14.825
6. Georgallas Irodotos (CYP) 14.700
7. Gustavo Simoes (POR) 14.575
8. Victor Camargo (BRA) 12.700

Floor

It was good to see Diego Hypolito (BRA), 2007 World Champion on Floor, back on track after having missed the Final in London. The Brazilian outclassed his contenders in Osijek and prevailed in both the Qualification (15.675) and the Final (15.550). Pushed to an excellent performance by his home crowd, Croatian Tomislav Markovic garnered the Silver with 15.225 points and Alexander Shatilov’s (ISR) 14.925 was good enough to win him the Bronze.

Gold - Diego Hypolito (BRA) 15.550
Silver - Tomislav Markovic (CRO) 15.225
Bronze - Alexander Shatilov (ISR) 14.925

4. Jeffrey Wammes (NED) 14.725
5. Mans Stenberg (SWE) 14.525
6. Victor Rosa (BRA) 14.325
7. Olexander Suprun (UKR) 13.950
8. Peter Marjan (HUN) 13.600

Vault

As expected, London World Championship runner-up Flavius Koczi from Romania dominated the Men’s Vault competition (16.025). The top qualifier defeated Ukraine’s Olexander Yakukovsky (15.750) and Portuguese Luis Araujo (15.475).

Gold - Flavius Koczi (ROU) 16.025
Silver - Olexander Yakukovsky (UKR) 15.750
Bronze - Luis Araujo (POR) 15.475

4. Ali Al Asi (JOR) 15.325
5. Evgeny Sapronenko (LAT) 15.238
6. Marek Lyszczarz (POL) 15.175
7. Jad Mazahreh (JOR) 15.125
8. Shek Wai-Hung (HKG) 15.088

Parallel Bars

After qualifying in fifth position, Marius Berbecar made his home country proud by winning the Parallel Bars competition in Osijek with a surprising 15.350 points. The Romanian outdid the very consistent Polish Adam Kierzkowski (15.100) and World Champion Wang Guanyin from China (14.975).

Gold - Marius Berbecar (ROU) 15.350
Silver - Adam Kierzkowski (POL) 15.100
Bronze - Wang Guanyin (CHN) 14.975

4. Epke Zonderland (NED) 14.925
5. Roman Kulesza (POL) 14.875
6. Samuel Piasecky (SLO) 14.650
7. Dmitry Gogotov (RUS) 14.450
6. Hamilton Sabot (FRA) 14.400

Horizontal Bar

Taking off with the Gold on Horizontal Bar, veteran Aljaz Pegan proved once again that Slovenia can still count on him (15.675)! The 2007 world runner-up prevailed over newly crowned Silver medallist from the Netherlands Epke Zonderland (15.550) and the host country’s Marijo Moznik (14.850), who qualified a mere second to last.

Gold - Aljaž Pegan (SLO) 15.675
Silver - Epke Zonderland (NED) 15.550
Bronze - Marijo Moznik (CRO) 14.850

4. Marco Baldauf (AUT) 14.775
5. Martin Konecny (CZE) 14.675
6. Anatoly Vasilyev (RUS) 14.600
6. Jeffrey Wammes (NED) 14.600
8. Samuel Piasecky (SLO) 14.500

Women

Vault

Winner of the Women’s Vault competition Jana Komrskova from the Czech Republic was delighted by her performance (14.338). She outplayed the host country’s Tijana Tkalcec, whose 13.713 won her the Silver, the first World Cup medal of her career. Representing the Netherlands, world All-around finalist Mayra Kroonen placed third with a score of 13.625. Hungarian Laura Gombas took up the vault only to miss a medal by a hair’s breadth (13.600).

Gold - Jana Komrskova (CZE) 14.338
Silver - Tijana Tkalcec (CRO) 13.713
Bronze - Mayra Kroonen (NED) 13.625

4. Laura Gombas (HUN) 13.600
5. Valeria Maksiuta (ISR) 13.575
6. Annika Urvikko (FIN) 13.350
7. Dorina Boczogo (HUN) 12.925
8. Cynthia Lemieux-Guillemette (CAN) 12.550

Uneven Bars

Qualified in first place, Mayra Kroonen topped her Bronze winning performance on Vault with a Gold on Uneven Bars (13.525). Jana Sikulova (CZE) improved her qualifying score to 13.400, the score that won her the Silver, while Israel’s Valeria Maksiuta won a surprising Bronze after having qualified in a weak 7th place. Canadian Laurie-Eve Pepin-Gagne placed a disappointing last, after having qualified in second (13.275).

Gold - Mayra Kroonen (NED) 13.525
Silver - Jana Sikulova (CZE) 13.400
Bronze - Valeria Maksiuta (ISR) 13.000

4. Cynthia Lemieux-Guillemette (CAN) 12.800
5. Dorina Boczogo (HUN) 12.525
6. Ethiene Franco (BRA) 12.400
7. Bruna Leal (BRA) 12.225
8. Laurie-Eve Pepin-Gagne (CAN) 12.175

Beam

China’s Sui Lu left her contenders in the dust when she carried off the Gold on Beam with a score of 13.750. Czech Jana Komrskova collected another medal after winning the Vault competition, settling for Silver this time around (12.925). Qualified in fourth place, Croatia’s own Tina Erceg stepped up to the podium with a Bronze winning 12.675. Second in the preliminaries, Brasil’s Priscila Cobello came last in the Finals scoring 11.900.

Gold - Lu Sui (CHN) 13.750
Silver - Jana Komrskova (CZE) 12.925
Bronze - Tina Erceg (CRO) 12.675

4. Laure-Eve Pepin-Gagne (CAN) 12.450
5. Katarzyna Jurkowska (POL) 12.350
6. Hu Yuhong (CHN) 12.000
7. Laura Gombas (HUN) 11.900
8. Priscila Cobello (BRA) 11.900

Floor

World Bronze medallist on Floor Sui Lu (CHN) added another Gold medal to her collection after winning the Beam competition earlier in the day; she prevailed on her favourite apparatus with 13.825 points. Portugal’s Zoi Lima came second (13.325) and Tina Erceg pleased the home crowd when she seized yet another Bronze (13.200).

Gold - Lu Sui (CHN) 13.825
Silver - Zoi Lima (POR) 13.325
Bronze - Tina Erceg (CRO) 13.200

4. Bruna Leal (BRA) 13.175
5. Mayra Kroonen (NED) 13.075
6. Dorina Boczogo (HUN) 12.875
7. Saša Golob (SLO) 12.700
8. Annika Urvikko (FIN) 12.550

Quotes

Zhang Hongtao (CHN) – Gold on Pommel Horse
I didn't perform all my elements. My performance was not as good as in London, but I like Osijek and the people here.

Sašo Bertoncelj (SLO) – Silver on Pommel Horse
I am happy to have won a Silver medal at this great tournament. The competition on Pommel Horse was tough, especially with excellent gymnasts like Zhang Hongtao and the two Croatians in the Final.

Diego Hypolito (BRA) – Gold on Floor
I am satisfied with my performance. This was my fifth World Cup victory this year and after missing the Final at the World Championships in London it was important to me to be back with a good result here in Osijek.

Tomislav Marković (CRO) – Silver on Floor
That was one of the best performances of my life. I am very happy about winning this Silver medal in my home town.

Alexander Shatilov (ISR) – Bronze on Floor
I was very tired after London, so third place is a success for me.

Jana Komrskova (CZE) – Gold on Vault
Winning in this excellent atmosphere is a fantastic feeling. I am very satisfied with these two days in Osijek.

Tijana Tkalčec (CRO) – Silver on Vault
This is my first World Cup medal. I had some problems with the apparatus, things I wasn’t able to get used to. But I am very satisfied with my vaults.

Aljaž Pegan (SLO) – Gold on Horizontal Bar
The competition was fantastic! I am very happy with my victory over the phenomenal Zonderland. I think Osijek was one of the best World Cups. Everything was great.

Epke Zonderland (NED) – Silver on Horizontal Bar
It is very hard for me to concentrate after the World Championship, so I am satisfied with my performance despite the fact that some of my elements were not very clear-cut. I was impressed by the great organisation, especially because this was the first World Cup in Osijek.

Marijo Možnik (CRO) – Bronze on Horizontal Bar
The support of the spectators was excellent here in Osijek, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.

Pan American Gymnastics Union – 2009 General Assembly

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, November 4, 2009: Tuesday, November 3, featured the Pan American Gymnastics Union's (PAGU) General Assembly in Aracaju, Brasil.

The PAGU authorities and federation delegates attended meetings to plan the remaining events for the cycle. These events include academies, competitions and training camps. PAGU President, Zobeira Hernandez (VEN), presided over the assembly while Maria Luciene Resende, President of the Brasilian Gymnastics Federation oversaw the coordination and facilitation of the event in her home city.

The Brasilian Federation, with their new home in the city of Aracaju and state of Sergipe, has done an outstanding job preparing for the Junior Pan American Championships in Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, beginning on Friday, November 6.

This competition will serve as the qualification event for the PAGU gymnasts attempting to secure their nation's slot in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

Spieth Gymnastic and the FIG

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, November 4, 2009: FIG President Prof Bruno Grandi recently presented Mr Uli Spieth, Director of Spieth Gymnastic, with a copy of the book prefaced with his De Arte Gymnastica; Spieth has been an official FIG partner and apparatus supplier for nearly 54 years. The gift is a token of the exemplary collaboration that has spanned multiple generations.

From its production site in Esslingen (GER) near Stuttgart, the company was swift to expand its export business beyond its own borders. In 1956, it supplied organisers of the Melbourne Olympic Games with its first apparatus, the wooden Reuther springboard. From modest beginnings the company steadily grew. In 1960, Spieth launched its premiere double elastic Swingfloor Original Reuther, and it was at the 1965 World Gymnaestrada in Vienna (AUT) that gymnasts would discover the first Spieth uneven bars. The bars were officially approved at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. In 1974, the upholstered flexible balance beam made its appearance at the worlds in Varna (BEL), with a landing mat close on its heels in 1975. The company began to boom and its collection expand.

By 1975, Spieth would supply for the first time in its history a full set of apparatus at the European Championships in Madrid (ESP), under the aegis of the FIG (the UEG would not see the light of day until 1982!). An identical demand came in 1989, this time for the World Championships in Stuttgart (GER).

Today, Spieth and the FIG have signed upward of 12 official documents and continue to pursue a relationship that is more than just business; it is their unique spirit of cooperation with a mindset for development and assistance to financially challenged federations that best characterises their collaboration.

Theirs is a partnership that is well-known and respected in gymnastic circles worldwide.

Swiss Cup 2009
Zurich (SUI), November 1, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, November 2, 2009: This year saw the 21st edition of the Swiss Cup held as a mixed pairs competition, but it was the first time that a pair from Germany claimed the Gold. In the presence of 6,500 enthusiastic spectators, Kim Bui and Matthias Fahrig won the traditional meet in Zurich on Sunday, edging out yet another German duo, their team-mates Elisabeth Seitz and Thomas Taranu. Just as in 2006, the host country’s first entry Ariella Kaeslin and Niki Boeschenstein placed third. Qualified second for the Final, Ukrainians Yana Demjantschuk and Mykola Kuksenkow finished on rank four.

Crucial to the German triumph was the final round, when all four qualified pairs’ previous scores were set to zero. World Championship finalist and European medallist on Vault, Matthias Fahrig, outclassed his competitors with a high score of 16.050. Taranu also impressed his fans with 15.600 points. In Women’s, World Silver medallist Kaeslin scored the highest with an average of 14.825 in the Final. She was the only gymnast to perform two vaults and with a total of 56.750 for the four routines, Kaeslin was the best female gymnast in this competition, placing just ahead of Demjantschuk (56.350).

After two rounds, former winners of the Swiss Cup China (9.), Romania (10.) and Russia (12.), with a reputation as gymnastic powerhouse countries, were eliminated surprisingly early this year. World Champion Marian Dragulescu’s fantastic performance on Vault was not enough to preserve the honour of favourite Romania after Diana Chelaru’s fatal 9.800 on Uneven Bars. European Champion Ksenia Semyonova (RUS), who paired up with Sergei Khorokhordin, gave a disappointing performance on Beam (12.650) and Floor (12.250), while China’s He Ning and Liang Fuliang were unable to best a joint 55.550 after two apparatus. Canada placed second to last and along with Switzerland’s second duo Linda Stämpfle / Daniel Groves (8.), pairs from the Netherlands (5.), France (6.) and Italy (7.) were benched after three rounds.

Check out the detailed results!

FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup A
Osijek (CRO), November 6 - 8, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, October 30, 2009: The second to last stage of the 2009 World Cup Series in Artistic Gymnastics will be held in Croatia’s fourth largest city Osijek from November 6 – 8, 2009.

This category A tournament will bring together many of the stars seen at the World Championships in London just two weeks ago. An impressive line-up of 133 gymnasts (94 men and 39 women) from 30 different countries are expected to make their way to Osijek’s new sport hall, the Dvorana Gradski vrt, which was used as one of the 2009 Men’s World Handball Championship venues. The venue will be equipped with apparatus supplied by longstanding FIG partner Gymnova, which also supplied the world championships held in London’s O2.

The event will be broadcasted by HRT Hrvatskaradiotelevizija, Croatian Radio-television.

Men’s Artistic Gymnastics

On Floor, it will be interesting to see if 2007 World Champion Diego Hypolito (BRA) has recovered from the shock of missing the Final in London. Israel’s Alexander Shatilov, newly crowned World Bronze medallist, will attempt a repeat of his success while Croatia’s Tomislav Markovic aims for a spot on the podium.

The Pommel Horse competition spotlights China’s Zhang Hongtao, the new World Champion starting as this event’s favourite. His toughest contenders are the host country’s Robert Seligman and Romanian Flavius Koczi, both of whom qualified for the Apparatus Final in London.

On Rings, 2008 Olympic Champion Chen Yibing will be on parade, challenged by Ukrainian Oleksandr Vorobiev, 2009 World Bronze medallist, Arthur Zanetti (BRA) and Robert Stanescu (ROU), who tied for 4th in London.

In the absence of his team-mate Marian Dragulescu, who clinched the victory on Vault at the 2009 Worlds, runner-up Koczi is going for the Gold this time around. The only other London finalist on this apparatus in Osijek is the Netherland’s Jeffrey Wammes.

The Parallel Bars event is peppered with familiar faces, first and foremost China’s Wang Guanyin. The newly crowned World Champion is joined by Epke Zonderland (NED), Adam Kierzkowski and Mitja Petkovsek (SLO), all aiming for the podium.
Will Zonderland have what it takes to repeat his successful Silver-winning Horizontal Bar routine from London? He’s facing Slovenian veteran Aljaz Pegan, who also won World Silver back in 2007 in Stuttgart; Pegan is in great shape and proved it in London where he placed 5th!

Women’s Artistic Gymnastics

Several familiar faces from the current World Cup Series will be competing in the Women’s competition. On Vault for instance, Annika Urvikko from Finland, who won Bronze in Maribor, and Dutch gymnast Mayra Kroonen, who qualified for the All-around Finals in London.

Brazil’s Ethiene Franco, also a Maribor Bronze medallist, is an Uneven Bars Final hot shot, as is Austrian Hanna Grosch.

On Balance Beam, Poland’s Marta Pihan-Kulesza, Gold medallist from Cottbus and third in Maribor, has a good chance of grabbing yet another medal. But competition is tough: Slovenian Adela Sajn, Silver medallist from Moscow, and Tina Erceg from host country Croatia, intend to take nothing less than the podium!

China’s Sui Lu is a sure-fire favourite in the Floor event. With her Bronze from London she is the only female gymnast competing in Osijek, having medalled at the recent World Championships. Keep an eye on Pihan-Kulesza, Sajn and Erceg on this apparatus!

Check out the nominative entry list!

Swiss Cup 2009
Zurich (SUI), November 1, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, October 28, 2009: Two weeks after the World Championships in London, the world’s elite in Artistic Gymnastics will gather at Zurich’s Hallenstadion, November 1, 2009, to battle it out in pairs. A world class event, the Swiss Cup is associated with spirit, power, elegance, grace, precision and, above all, sport and entertainment at their best.

With only a few days left, the Organising Committee, headed up by Jürg Stahl, reports the sale of 5,000 tickets and organisers are expecting more than 7,000 spectators. After a premiere edition in 2006, also at the Hallenstadion, this international competition has become a high-level event. A palette of star gymnasts will be there, notably recent medallist Ariella Kaeslin, the first Swiss woman to win a medal at an Artistic Gymnastics world championship event. Also attending, twice World Champion Marian Dragulescu (ROU), who captured a Gold medal on Floor and Vault. And despite the injuries of star players such as Fabian Hambüchen (GER), fourteen world championship finalists will travel to the Hallenstadion on November 1st.

How a team cup unfolds

The Swiss Cup is a pairs competition that presents one male and one female gymnast per nation. Much like a traditional Cup, the winning team is designated after a preliminary, semi-final and final round. The two gymnasts from each team contend one after another, their team score determined by adding their two individual scores. Apart from a few restrictions, they can choose which apparatus they want to use at each stage. The four finalist pairs move on to the final with their scores set back to zero. The 4th ranked pair is eliminated first. The winner of the Swiss Cup Zurich is the team presenting the highest total number of points from the final. Suspense through to the end!

Participation Line-up

Star athletes not to miss at Zurich’s Hallenstadion (all changes reserved):
(Female / Male gymnast of each nation)

Switzerland 1: Ariella Kaeslin / Niki Böschenstein
Switzerland 2: Linda Stämpfli / Daniel Groves
China: He Ning / Fuliang Liang
Germany: Kim Bui / Matthias Fahrig
France: Pauline Morel / Cyril Tommasone
Italy: Serena Licchetta / Enrico Pozzo
Canada: Cynthia Lemieux-Guillemette / Casey Sandy
The Netherlands: Mayra Kroonen / Jeffrey Wammes
Romania: Anamaria Tamirjan / Marian Dragulescu
Russia: Xenia Afanasyewa / Sergej Chorochordin
Ukraine: Jana Demjantschyk / Mykola Kuxenkow
Brazil: has withdrawn, replacement to be determined

As the host country, Switzerland brings two teams to the competition.
For more information visit http://www.swiss-cup.ch/

(source: STV-FSG; translation FIG)

Death of Yury Ryazanov (RUS) and Oleksandr Zhurov (UKR)

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, October 21, 2009: The FIG regrets to announce the death of two beloved gymnasts to truly tragic circumstances.

Russian gymnast Yury Ryazanov was killed in a car crash on Tuesday on the way to his home town Vladimir, around 200 kilometers east of Moscow. The 22-year-old gymnast, who had won Bronze at the All-around competition of the 41st Artistic Gymnastics World Championships last week in London (GBR), was driving on a highway when his car collided head on with another vehicle, federation spokeswoman Natalia Kulagina said. Ryazanov died at the scene.

'This is very tragic news for Russian gymnastics,' Kulagina said. 'He was one of our most talented young athletes who could have achieved many great things for our sport.'

Ryazanov won Russia’s 2009 National All-around title and finished third at the European Championships earlier this year.

Yet another tragedy occurred. While training at the Cirque du Soleil facilities in Montreal, young Ukrainian gymnast Oleksandr Zhurov succumbed to injuries sustained during a fall.

Not only is the Federation saddened by this news, we are nonplussed when we consider the effort invested in enforcing safety measures to protect the athletes.

The news has cast a pall over the international gymnastics community, and we extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families and loved-ones of the deceased.

Review Apparatus Finals – Day 2

LONDON (GBR), FIG Office, October 18, 2009: Spectators made their way to London’s O2 Arena today to watch the second day of Apparatus Finals of the 41st Artistic Gymnastics World Championships. Five exciting events were on the programme for the last day of these championships: men on Vault, Parallel Bars and Horizontal Bar as well as women on Beam and Floor.

Last minute changes had to be made to the start list since France’s Yann Cucherat, qualified on Parallel Bars, withdrew due to injury. First on the reserve list, Vietnamese Pham Phuao Hung moved into the Final by default. Jeffrey Wammes (NED), who withdrew from the All-around Final on Thursday, got a green light from his doctor to compete in the Vault Final today.

MAG – Vault

Beijing finalist Isaac Botella Perez from Spain opened the Men’s Vault competition. He had trouble controlling his landing on the second vault and scored 15.650. Next on the apparatus was Olympic Bronze medallist and top qualifier Anton Golotsutskov (RUS), who wowed the crowd with two excellent vaults (16.287). Will this bring him a much-expected medal? France’s Thomas Bouhail, Olympic runner-up and reigning European Champion was close on the Russian’s heels, vaulting into second position with an average of 15.775. German Matthias Fahrig, who qualified in seventh and finished 6th in last night’s Floor Final, took a big step to the side on his first vault. However, his second vault was solid and earned an average 15.850 point score that placed him in second position for the time being. Marian Dragulescu, 4th in Beijing and winner of the Floor Final here in London, impressed the crowd with two excellent vaults, flawlessly executed. With 16.575 he took the lead. Jeffrey Wammes (NED) was next - he scored 14.425 and ranked sixth for now. Romania’s second entry to this Final Flavius Koczi, who won Silver earlier this year at the European Championships, vaulted into second position behind team-mate Dragulescu with 16.337 points. Last gymnast on this apparatus, 24-year-old Se Gwang Ri, 2007 World Bronze medallist, didn’t make it to the podium tonight. He scored 15.560 and tied with Botella Perez on rank six.

Final standing:

Gold - DRAGULESCU Marian (ROU) - 16.600
Silver - KOCZI Flavius (ROU) - 16.300
Bronze - GOLOTSUTSKOV Anton (RUS) - 16.200

4. FAHRIG Matthias (GER) - 15.875
5. BOUHAIL Thomas (FRA) - 16.300
6. BOTELLA PEREZ Isaac (ESP) - 15.500
6. RI Se Gwang (PRK) - 15.725
8. WAMMES Jeffrey (NED) - 14.900

WAG – Beam

China’s Yang Yilin, Beijing All-around Bronze medallist, began her Beam routine relatively well but ended up by falling near the end. Her score: 13.125. Elisabetta Preziosa of Italy was next with a wonderful performance that highlighted her uncanny flexibility. The 16-year-old was rewarded with 14.200 points! All eyes then turned to Romania and Ana Porgras, Bronze medallist at last night’s Uneven Bars Final. Porgras qualified in top position but struggled today and ultimately fell from the Beam. Despite a flawless dismount it was unclear as to whether her 13.425 would be enough to hold the top.

Deng Linlin, qualified third and China’s promising star on Beam, showed a spectacular routine that was so perfectly executed it slid her into the lead (15.000 points). No gymnast scored as high in Qualification on Wednesday; this score should secure her the Gold medal. Next up, Koko Tsurumi, who gave a spectacular performance in the All-around competition as well as on Uneven Bars at these championships, scored 14.100 and a provisional rank three. Qualified in second and with an impressive routine, Un Hyang Kim (PRK) put herself in second place with 14.450 points. Ivana Hong (USA) was second to last on Beam; her excellent performance was awarded 14.550, edging Kim off rank two. Finally, Australia’s Lauren Mitchell, fourth in the All-around, amazed her fans with a difficult spin and a very solid and clean routine. She scored a Silver medal winning 14.875.

Final standing:

Gold - DENG Linlin (CHN) - 15.000
Silver - MITCHELL Lauren (AUS) - 14.875
Bronze - HONG Ivana (USA) - 14.550

4. KIM Un Hyang (PRK) - 14.450
5. PREZIOSA Elisabetta (ITA) - 14.200
6. TSURUMI Koko (JPN) - 14.100
7. PORGRAS Ana (ROU) - 13.425
8. YANG Yilin (CHN) - 13.125

MAG – Parallel Bars

The Parallel Bars Final saw China’s Feng Zhe and Wang Guanyin as well as Olympic runner-up Won Chul Yoo of Korea hunting for medals today. Kazuhito Tanaka of Japan, who ranked fourth in the All-around and Qualification, had high hopes for a medal rank. And what about Adam Kierzkowski of Poland who qualified in fourth?

Wang Guanyin opened this final with a fantastic routine, setting a 15.975 point tone for his competitors to parry. Won Chul Yoo was up next, duplicating his qualifying score (15.300). Good enough to stand his ground in this Final? Just behind him was Adam Kierzkowski, who failed to repeat his performance in the preliminaries, scoring 14.325. Top qualifier Feng Zhe, a newcomer to the Chinese team, was at his best here. His solid routine was awarded 15.775 points and rank two, in the wake of his team-mate Feng. The Netherland’s Epke Zonderland put some impressive turns in his routine and scored 15.125. Disappointed spectators had expected a better score for Zonderland. Alternate Pham Phuoc Hung was up next, scoring 14.475. To the cheers of excited supporters, Greek Vasileios Tsolakidis did his job well, scoring the 15.350 points that secured his place in third. Too bad his hopes for a medal vanished into thin air when Kazuhito Tanaka, last to compete on the Parallel Bars, wrapped up a phenomenal routine (15.500) that handed him the Bronze.

Final standing:

Gold - WANG Guanyin (CHN) 15.975
Silver - FENG Zhe (CHN) 15.775
Bronze - TANAKA Kazuhito (JPN) 15.500

4. TSOLAKIDIS Vasileios (GRE) 15.350
5. YOO Won Chul (KOR) 15.300
6. ZONDERLAND Epke (NED) 15.125
7. PHUOC HUNG Pham (VIE) 14.475
8. KIERZKOWSKI Adam (POL) 14.325

WAG – Floor

The enthusiastic home crowd went wild for their star Beth Tweddle, who after a missed Uneven Bars Final was going for the Gold on Floor today. She was the first to take the floor and did an excellent job out there, scoring 14.650. Next competitor Jessica Gil Oritz (CHI) started with a beautiful double layout, but then slipped and landed heavily on her head for the second tumble. The gymnast was taken off the field of play and to hospital; at this point it doesn’t look too serious. Powerful Rebecca Bross (USA), All-around Silver medallist and third on Uneven Bars, gave a crisp routine that put her in second position behind Tweddle (14.125). China’s Sui Lu, second in the preliminaries, pleased the crowd with a lovely, expressive routine. She was awarded 14.300 and rank two for now. Ana Porgras (ROU) had her second chance on Floor after she finished a mere seventh on Beam earlier today. Her routine was evaluated at 14.125 points, tying for third with Bross. But three more gymnasts were still to compete! Russia’s picture of elegance, Anna Myzdrikova, for instance; top qualifier in this event, she is full of expressive and fluid choreography. She ranked a provisional third (14.275).

Australia’s Lauren Mitchell had a fantastic day! She won Silver on Beam earlier today and her lovely Floor routine has sent her to second place (14.550).

When Deng Linlin’s (CHN), the last to perform, score was announced (13.875) and Tweddle’s Gold medal was confirmed, The O2 Arena exploded to the cheers of an animated crowd. Proudly bearing the British flag and accompanied by standing ovations, the new World Champion marched out of the arena.

Final standing:

Gold - TWEDDLE Elizabeth (GBR) - 14.650
Silver - MITCHELL Lauren (AUS) - 14.550
Bronze - SUI Lu (CHN) - 14.300

4. MYZDRIKOVA Anna RUS 14.275
5. BROSS Rebecca USA 14.125
5. PORGRAS Ana ROU 14.125
7. DENG Linlin CHN 13.875
8. GIL ORTIZ Jessica COL 2.975

MAG – Horizontal Bar

The Horizontal Bar Final, often referred to as the most spectacular event in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, was action packed! The event featured tried and true gymnasts alongside the up and coming, all with a good chance of winning a medal, making this an incredibly open competition.

2004 Olympic Champion Igor Cassina of Italy opened the medal quest with a zesty routine. He scored a dramatic 15.625, the highest score in relation to the qualifying rounds; would it be enough to secure him a spot on the podium tonight? Stylish Aliakandr Tsarevich (BLR) performed gutsy elements worth 14.375. Next up was US American Danell Leyva with a well defined routine that seethed with difficulty. His coach was visibly pleased when Leyva’s routine concluded with a 15.600 point score and a tentative rank two. Up next, reigning Olympic Champion Zou Kai performed flawlessly (16.150) and took the lead over Cassina. All-around Champion Kohei Uchimura (JPN) gratified the crowd with unmatched style and another great routine. His 15.175 gives him 4th for now. The Netherland’s Epke Zonderland took a risk and went for absolute difficulty. His strategy paid off: 15.825 and rank two. Jonathan Horton, US American All-arounder, started off well enough but fell from the bar, mucking up his dismount in the process. 13.250 and seventh. Slovenia’s Horizontal Bar veteran Aljaz Pegan, 2007 World runner-up, was the last gymnast to compete tonight. With 15.500 points he landed 5th place.

A truly crowning moment, this was the concluding event for the London World Championships 2009!

Final standing:

Gold - ZOU Kai (CHN) - 16.150
Silver - ZONDERLAND Epke (NED) - 15.825
Bronze - CASSINA Igor (ITA) - 15.625

4. LEYVA Danell (USA) - 15.600
5. PEGAN Aljaz (SLO) - 15.500
6. UCHIMURA Kohei (JPN) - 15.175
7. TSAREVICH Aliaksandr (BLR) - 14.375
8. HORTON Jonathan (USA) - 13.250

Check the detailed results and look out for updates of our photo gallery!

China today added another five medals to their record at these championships, making it a total of nine. They hereby topped the medal rankings in front of the USA (six medals) and Romania (4 medals). With Lauren Mitchell’s two Silver medals and Prashanth Sellathurai’s Bronze on Pommel Horse, Australia ranks sixth, behind Japan (4th) and Great Britain (5th).

Press conference quotes:

Elizabeth Tweddle (GBR): On the loud crowd: 'The crowd has been fantastic all week. They gave me a buzz and I just wanted to prove that I was one of the best on Floor!'

'Having the home crowd really helps. I felt I had nothing to lose. I didn't feel any pressure, I just went out and enjoyed it. To be honest, I think it was one of the easiest Floor routines I've ever done.'

On going first, disadvantage? 'There's always that worry, but it also means you can get the exercise over and done with and then there was the accident with the Colombian gymnast which sort of put a few gymnasts off.'

On further improvements: 'I've still got stuff to go in on Floor, but my Uneven Bars routine is a pretty high start value so I'll have to think about what I can add there.'

Marian Dragulescu (ROU): “I was nervous, but very happy we could get the first two places on the podium.”

On continuing to 2012: 'I'm going to take it year by year, the most important thing is my health. In gymnastics accidents can happen, so I only think about next year.'

Feng Zhe (CHN): On the rank of Worlds and National Championships: 'I think the two events are the same to us. The national Games and the world championships are both important to us.'

Zou Kai (CHN): On the arena: 'I was very satisfied with the arena and training hall. I just want to know if the food and the accommodation is ok, that concerns us more!'

On how this medal compares to the Olympic one: 'It’s hard to compare, the Olympic Gold medal impressed me more, but I have never got a world championship title so this is also important to me.'

Deng Linlin (CHN): 'I'm satisfied with my performance, although it's just normal. I wasn't as nervous as in the previous days.'

On success of the Chinese team: 'I think our team performed very well, it is perfectly successful.'

On her personal success, how does she feel? 'It’s a pity that I didn't qualify for any Final at the Beijing Olympics, so this is a big success to me. I also want to make progress in three years time to win more individual medals, but I hope that our team will be successful too.'

Doctors’ statement on Jessica Gil Oritz’s injury: 'She is in as stable condition in the hospital. She had to have an x-ray and a scan, but she is neurologically intact.'

Closing Ceremony

FIG President Prof. Bruno Grandi thanked the Organising Committee, who did a terrific job all throughout these championships, the volunteers, the media and the fantastic public that gave its unfailing support to the gymnasts here in London.
Grandi handed over the award for recognition to Brian Stocks, CEO of British Gymnastics and the FIG Medal of Recognition was rewarded to Championships Director Matthew Greenwood, Business Operations Director Steve Brice, Venue Manager Jennifer Marx and Lenn Arnold.

The ceremony continued with the handover of the FIG flag by British Gymnastics to President Grandi, who then passed it on to Gert Sikkens, representing the Rotterdam Organising Committee for 2010. President Grandi finally declared the 41st Artistic Gymnastics World Championships officially closed.

The 42nd Artistic Gymnastics World Championships will take place from October 17 - 24, 2010 in Rotterdam (NED).

Visit the event website at http://www.gymnastics2010.com/en/ !

We hope to see you next year in Rotterdam!

41st Artistic Gymnastics World Championships
London (GBR), October 13-18, 2009

Review – Apparatus Finals Day 1

LONDON (GBR), FIG Office, October 17, 2009: Once again, the O2 Arena filled up today with an enthusiastic crowd excited to see more top level gymnastics action here in London! Enter the specialists, who competed today in the first of two days of Apparatus Finals. Five apparatus were featured, three for men and two for women. In contrast to the All-around competition, one event took place after the other, giving spectators an opportunity to follow each gymnast’s routine. Here’s what they saw:

MAG - Floor

2008 Olympic Champion from China Zou Kai was the first to take to the floor this afternoon. He raised the bar for this Final, confirming his qualifying score of 15.675. American Champion Steven Legendre earned 14.950 points; lower than in the qualifying rounds. Three times World Champion on Floor Marian Dragulescu (ROU) was next with a strong routine that knocked him into the leading position (15.700). Beijing finalist Alexander Shatilov (ISR) managed a 15.575, which meant a provisional rank three. Will it be enough to maitain a medal rank? Chilean Enrique Tomas Gonzalez Sepulveda failed to give a repeat performance of the preliminaries and scored a mere 15.225. Next up was newly crowned All-around World Champion Kohei Uchimura (JPN); he, too, gave a weaker performance than at the Qualification (15.475) and ended up dropping to rank four. Uchimura’s compatriot Makoto Okiguchi (JPN), who just made it to this Final in eighth position, was awarded a 15.425 and rank five today. Last gymnast performing on Floor Matthias Fahrig (GER) scored 15.400 and finished in 6th.

Final standing:

Gold - DRAGULESCU Marian (ROU) - 15.700
Silver - ZOU Kai (CHN) - 15.675
Bronze - SHATILOV Alexander (ISR) - 15.575

4. UCHIMURA Kohei (JPN) - 15.475
5. OKIGUCHI Makoto (JPN) - 15.425
6. FAHRIG Matthias (GER) – (15.400)
7. GONZALEZ SEPULVEDA (CHI) - 15.225
8. LEGENDRE Steven (USA) - 14.950

WAG - Vault

The first female gymnast to compete in today’s Finals was Russian Anna Myzdrikova on Vault, who qualified in fifth. She repeated her score of 14.225 points. 2009 European Champion and Beijing finalist Ariella Kaeslin was next and progressed since the preliminaries with an average score of 14.525. Not such a great day for reigning Olympic Champion on this apparatus Un Jong Hong (PRK) who struggled with her landing at both vaults. Because of the high difficulty of those vaults, she did manage an average score of 14.262, which put her in second position behind Kaeslin for now. USA’s Kayla Williams, who bull’s eyed first position in the Qualification, was next. Will she be able to repeat her phenomenal performance? The answer is yes! Flawlessly executed vaults and spotted landings brought her the highest execution scores and the lead in this Final (15.087). Mexico’s Elsa Garcia Rodriguez Blanca, who was awarded the Longines Prize for Elegance last night, qualified in eighth position. She scored 13.287 today - not good enough to boost her ranking. 16-year-old Canadian Brittany Rogers improved on her qualifying score with 14.200 and fifth position. Second to last Vault competitor Ekaterina Kurbatova (RUS) placed 10th in last night’s All-around event. Her sole Apparatus Final at these championships, she scored an average of 14.337, which pushed Hong from the medal ranks for the time being. Then came France’s Youna Dufournet. 5th in the All-Around, she fared extremely well with strong vaults and spotted landings. Her performance was awarded with 14.450 points and rank three behind Williams and Kaeslin.

Final standing:

Gold - WILLIAMS Kayla (USA) - 14.975
Silver - KAESLIN Ariella (SUI) - 13.975
Bronze - DUFOURNET Youna (FRA) - 14.625

4. KURBATOVA Ekaterina (RUS) - 13.950
5. HONG Un Jong (PRK) - 14.100
6. MYZDRIKOVA Anna (RUS) - 14.175
7. ROGERS Brittany (CAN) - 13.975
8. GARCIA RODRIGUEZ BL. (MEX) - 13.287

MAG - Pommel Horse

The crowd held its breath for local star Louis Smith, Bronze medallist at the 2007 Worlds and the 2008 Olympic Games as well as 2009 European runner-up. The Pommel Horse hot shot who qualified third (15.900) was first to perform at this apparatus. To the cries of a shocked crowd, Smith lost his cool early on when he fell off the Pommel Horse. With an impressive show of character he gave a clean finish and earned 14.450 points. Croatian Robert Seligman was consistent throughout his routine and scored 14.750. Reigning European Champion and 2007 World runner-up from Hungary Krisztian Berki showed nice form, performing elegantly throughout his routine. Second in Qualification, Berki scored 16.075 today, rocketing up the ladder into first. Next was US American All-arounder Timothy McNeill whose strongest apparatus is Pommel Horse. 15.150 points have placed him in a provision second. But four competitors were yet to compete! Romania’s Flavius Koczi worked nicely through his routine and scored 14.975 points. Top qualifier from China, Zhang Hongtao, flawlessly performed a very complex routine that stunned the crowd. He was awarded 16.200 and the lead on Berki. Australia’s Prashanth Sellathurai picked up the pace, speeding through his routine. The 2006 Worlds runner-up maintained good body tension and was awarded a Bronze medal winning 15.400. Final competitor on Pommel Horse was French Cyril Tommasone, whose smooth routine brought him into fourth with a 15.225 point score.

Final standing:

Gold - ZHANG Hongtao (CHN) - 16.200
Silver - BERKI Krisztian (HUN) - 16.075
Bronze - SELLATHURAI Prashanth. (AUS) - 15.400

4. TOMMASONE Cyril (FRA) - 15.225
5. MCNEILL Timothy (USA) - 15.150
6. KOCZI Flavius (ROU) - 14.975
7. SELIGMAN Robert (CRO) - 14.750
8. SMITH Louis (GBR) - 14.450

WAG – Uneven Bars

The Women’s Uneven Bars Final promised to be an exciting event with Olympic Champion and top qualifier from China He Kexin, along with last night’s three All-around medallists. Yong Hwa Cha (PRK) was also a medal candidate for this event.

He gave a fantastic routine from the get go, setting the bar high for this Final with 16.000. Who could beat that? Next to wow the crowd was Cha, who qualified third. Her spectacular routine with minor errors throughout yielded 14.650 points. Japanese Tsurumi swung smoothly into a momentary rank two (14.875), while Italian Serena Licchetta faced a battery of difficulties, ultimately falling off the apparatus. She scored a disappointing 11.950. Australia’s Larrissa Miller, fifth in Qualification, scored 14.575 today, which meant rank five at this time. All-around Champion Bridget Sloan (USA) won’t get another medal tonight. Her score of 14.600 took her to fourth, but she was overtaken by next-up Ana Porgras. The Romanian sailed through her routine, scored 14.675 and ranked third behind He and Tsurumi. In the end, all eyes were again on Rebecca Bross (USA), who qualified in second place and who still had a chance of altering the medal ranks. She gave a fluid routine, awarded with 14.675 points; she and Porgras tied for the Bronze.

Final standing:

Gold - HE Kexin (CHN) 16.000
Silver - TSURUMI Koko (JPN) 14.875
Bronze - PORGRAS Ana (ROU) 14.675
Bronze - BROSS Rebecca (USA) 14.675

5. CHA Yong Hwa (PRK) 14.650
6. SLOAN Bridget (USA) 14.600
7. MILLER Larrissa (AUS) 14.575
8. LICCHETTA Serena (ITA) 11.950

MAG - Rings

Experienced Beijing finalist Matteo Morandi from Italy was first up on Rings tonight with incredible shows of strength. He scored 15.300. France’s Danny Pinheiro-Rodrigues came next, impressing the crowd with a very strong routine. Sadly he botched his dismount and destroyed any hopes of a medal (14.750). The last to qualify, Brazilian Arthur Nabarrete Zanetti, took up a surprising and momentary first position with 15.325 points. But big names were still to come! Next and flying the flag for China in this Final was powerful Yan Mingyong, first in Qualification. With a sleight of hand, he worked his way into the lead as expected (15.675). Five times Olympian, 36 year-old Iordan Iovtchev, swooped stylishly into second (15.575) as George Robert Stanescu of Romania followed and tied with Nabarrete Zanetti in third. That didn’t last for long; they were soon pushed out of the medal ranks by Ukrainian Oleksandr Vorobiov (15.500I), who qualified in fourth. Last competitor tonight, France’s Samir Ait Said scored 15.250, finishing in seventh just ahead of his team-mate Pinheiro-Rodrigues.

Final standings:

Gold - YAN Mingyong (CHN) 15.675
Silver - IOVTCHEV Iordan (BUL) 15.575
Bronze - VOROBIOV Oleksandr (UKR) 15.550

4. NABARRETE ZANETTI A. (BRA) 15.325
4. STANESCU G. (ROU) 15.325
6. MORANDI Matteo (ITA) 15.300
7. AIT SAID Samir (FRA) 15.250
8. PINHEIRO-RODRIGUES (FRA) 14.750

Check the detailed results and look out for updates of our photo gallery!

China’s gymnasts once again proved their dominance tonight after having missed out on glory at the All-around Finals. They took home a total of three Gold medals and one Silver. The US American women added two medals to their records: one Gold on Women’s Vault and a Bronze on Uneven Bars. Known for its strong tradition in gymnastics, Romania medalled twice with Dragulescu topping the Floor rankings and newcomer Porgras capturing a Bronze on Uneven Bars. All-around Bronze medallist Koko Tsurumi from Japan made her home country proud, claiming a Silver medal on Uneven Bars tonight.

Also of interest, Israel, Hungary, Australia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Switzerland and France all take home a coveted medal from these championships.

Press conference quotes:

Marian Dragulescu (ROU) on the venue: It's 'very nice, very good, I was feeling very good here in London.'

On retirement after Olympics? 'I had a few injuries in 2007, and I had some problems with my neck area. After the Olympics I had pains, so that's why I chose to finish my career. Then after a break of about eight months, I was feeling better, no pains, so I was thinking, why not compete again? I felt I could still win medals. I'm glad, because today I won, it was a tough competition against young, powerful, tough athletes.'

Dragulescu’s coach: 'I'm very happy because he's back, and also, eleven years ago I took Marian into the junior national team. Then I was in Switzerland for ten years, and now I'm back in Romania, and back together with Marian, so it's special!'

Kayla Williams (USA): 'The O2 is beautiful, the arena is amazing, the training facilities at the David Beckham Academy were brilliant, it’s going to be a great Olympics here!'

On her last twelve months: 'Of course I was watching the Olympics Games on TV. Really I've just been so thrilled with to be here, it’s been an honour to compete here and represent the USA.'

Zhang Hongtao (CHN): On arena, etc: 'I want to thank you London for such good events, the software and the hardware are both very good!'

On pressure since Olympics: 'Actually we didn't have any pressure, we just came here to study and communicate with other gymnasts.'

'After my routine I just wanted to celebrate with myself for doing such a good routine, I wasn't thinking about the medal.'

He Kexin (CHN): On arena etc: 'The audience are so passionate, I get excited because of them. The equipment here is very good.'

On pressure on the Chinese gymnasts after Beijing: 'I also feel very relaxed here, there is no pressure because there is no team event here, we just tried to concentrate on the individual events. We just had our Games so our condition is a little low, the coaches just told us to do our best.'

Yan Mingyong (CHN): On arena etc: 'I like the audience here, and I like the beautiful city here, and the beautiful venue here.'

On mistake at end of rings routine: 'The landing was not a big mistake.'

The event continues tomorrow with the last five apparatus, concluding the Apparatus Finals and the 41st World Championships.

Saint-Imier (SUI) / London (GBR) October 16th, 2009: Longines, official timekeeper and data handler at the 41st Artistic Gymnastics World Championships 2009 in London, is pleased to announce that the Longines Prize for Elegance has been given to the female gymnast Elsa Garcia Rodriguez Blanca from Mexico and the male gymnast Daniel Keatings from Great Britain. This award decorates the athletes having demonstrated the most remarkable elegance in the course of an international competition at world level. Longines was also proud to present its new Ambassador of Elegance Ariella Kaeslin (SUI), the European vault Champion as well as all-around bronze medallist. Furthermore, the press has been provided for the first time with competition data in real time handled by Longines.

In gymnastics, the challenge of movement not only demands flawless execution but also grace, beauty and harmony known as “elegance”. At the 41st Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, all participants in the individual all-around finals held in the O2 on Thursday October 15th and on Friday October 16th, 2009 were nominated for the Longines Prize for Elegance.

The athletes under consideration for the prize have been evaluated according to a number of complementary criteria. In addition to technical considerations, each athlete’s performance has been judged with respect to emotional appeal, beauty, charm, charisma as well as grace and harmony of movement. Clearly, each juror has interpreted these criteria individually, yet the result is often unanimous, as it was again on this occasion.

The jury of the Longines Prize for Elegance brought together Dr. Bruno Grandi, President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), Annika Reeder, former Olympic gymnast and former British Champion, Katrina Jones, Longines UK Brand Director, and Walter von Känel, President of Longines.

Elsa Garcia Rodriguez Blanca, born in 1990 is coached by Antonio Martinez in the City of Monterrey where she's living. In the Regio Club Gimnastico she's training every day together with assistant coach Teresa Lopez and choreographer Alejandra Rodriguez. The Floor is her best apparatus, on which she performed on music entitled Mano a Mano. Her best achievements were the first ranks in Cottbus (GER) on Uneven Bars and Floor.

Daniel Keatings turned into the star of the 2008 Junior European Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland (4 Gold medals, including the victory in the All-around), and took the 20th place in the Senior All-around event in Beijing 2008. Born in 1990, Daniel took up gymnastics at 5 years old. He is coaching by Paul Hall at the Huntingdon Gym Club. Pommel Horse is his best apparatus.

The Longines Prize for Elegance is presented in the form of a trophy created especially for Longines by the Swiss artist Jean-Pierre Gerber. In addition, Elsa Garcia Rodriguez Blanca and Daniel Keatings each received a cheque for US$ 5,000 and the official watch of the 41st Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, a Conquest model of the Longines Sport Collection.

Longines also took the opportunity to give a Conquest watch to its new Ambassador of Elegance, the Swiss gymnast Ariella Kaeslin, the European vault Champion as well as all-around bronze medallist.

Press accredited for the 41st Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in London have been provided with competition data in real time by the watchmaker Longines, official timekeeper of the FIG. This technological achievement allows the media to consult online with a live link to the scores as well as final rankings of athletes during the competition. Launched in gymnastics at the Stuttgart (Germany) worlds in 1989, the service is known in media circles as CIS (Commentator Information System).

About Longines
Based in St. Imier in Switzerland since 1832, the watchmaker Longines can look back on more than 175 years of non-stop craftsmanship, as well as a solid heritage as timekeeper for world championships in various sports and collaborator with different international sports federations. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 130 countries.

About the FIG
The International Gymnastics Federation is the governing body for gymnastics worldwide. It is the oldest established international sports federation and has participated in the Olympic Games since their revival in 1896. The FIG governs 7 disciplines: Gymnastics for All, Men’s Artistic, Women’s Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline, Aerobic and Acrobatic. It counts 127 national affiliated federations and boasts a 20-person staff at its international seat in Lausanne (SUI), host city of the International Olympic Committee.

Olympic Games London 2012

London (GBR), FIG Office, October 16, 2009: The logos and emblems for Olympic disciplines appearing in the 2012 London Games were made public by the London Organising Committee’s graphic artists yesterday. The figurative design allows for rapid identification of the three FIG specialty disciplines: Artistic, Rhythmic and Trampoline Gymnastics.

From this point forward, the logos will be associated with all things Olympic through to 2012.

It goes without saying that legal copyrights for the designs are stringently enforced; their use is strictly governed by intellectual property laws and provisions.

copyright LOCOG

41st Artistic Gymnastics World Championships
London (GBR), October 13-18, 2009

Review - Men's All-Around Final

LONDON (GBR), FIG Office, October 15, 2009: The first chips have fallen at the 41st Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in London's O2 Arena. The venue was packed as an enthusiastic crowd rallied in support of a line-up of competitors tonight. 

After the retirement of 2007 World and reigning Olympic Champion Yang Wei of China, tonight’s Men’s All-around Final was meant to determine a new World Champion. Japan’s Kohei Uchimura, Beijing runner-up and leader in Tuesday’s preliminaries, was a shoe-in for the vacant position after one of his main rivals, German Fabian Hambuechen, was forced to withdraw from the competition. Hambuechen was injured during Sunday’s Podium Training.

However, strong competition for Uchimura came from the USA, notably in the form of Jonathan Horton and Timothy McNeill, as well as from European Champion Maxim Devyatovskiy (RUS), second in the qualifying round. Host country Great Britain qualified with two gymnasts, Daniel Keatings and Kristian Thomas. Keatings, qualified in fourth and eager to put on a great show for the home folk, was determined to give British gymnastics a name among the top nations shooting for London 2012. No Chinese gymnast qualified for the All-around Final, their strategy being to concentrate on specialty apparatus alone.

Though Qualifications gave a pretty good indication as to the main contenders, they didn’t pan out and the scoreboards have been wiped clean for the Final. Everyone got a new start and another chance to prove their skill tonight.

Last minute changes had to be made to the start lists since Dutch Jeffrey Wammes and Colombian Didier Yamit Lugo Sichaca withdrew due to injury. Wammes’ doctor stated that the gymnast was unable to compete at all six apparatus but left his participation this weekend open. Wammes qualified for the Apparatus Final on Vault. First on the reserve list, Artsiom Bykau from Belarus and Ildar from Kazachstan moved into the Final by default.

The gymnasts were divided into four groups of six in tonight’s Final, depending on their Qualification ranking. The top six started on Floor and followed the Olympic order throughout the competition.

After four apparatus, Uchimura was already well at the top of the field (61.800) leading by a 2.400 margin and followed by British contender Keatings and US American Mcneill in third (59.125). Not the best day for Russia's Devyatovskyi, who fell back into ninth. His team-mate, 2009 European Bronze medallist Yury Ryazanov, looked good however as he placed a comfortable fourth with 59.075 points. Rank five was shared by 24-year-old Japanese Kazuhito Tanaka and Swiss Nicolas Boeschenstein (58.750).

But there were two more rotations to come!

After rotation 5, Uchimura (76.425) and Keatings (74.450) settled in at the top, Tanaka moved up to third place (73.650) and Ryazanov into fourth (73.575), pushing McNeill back down into fifth rank (73.325). Devyatovskyi moved up to sixth place with a score of 72.925.

In the final rotation all eyes were on Keatings, who performed third on Horizontal Bar after Kuksenkov and Horton had fallen off the apparatus. The Briton performed well and was not only awarded a 14.475 point score, he was cheered on by an animated crowd! Keatings’ final score is 88.925; good enough for a medal?

Last to perform and with a flawless routine on the Bar, Uchimura scored 14.975, securing the Gold with an overall 91.500. Keatings maintained a solid Silver winning rank two, making his home country proud. “You are the man!” was shouted from the grandstands. Keatings later said he was “absolutely thrilled by the amazing support of the crowd!” Russian Ryazanov rocketed to the medal ranks with a final score of 88.400.

Gold - UCHIMURA Kohei (JPN) 91.500
Silver - KEATINGS Daniel (GBR) 88.925
Bronze - RYAZANOV Yury (RUS) 88.400
4. TANAKA Kazuhito (JPN) 88.300
5. DEVYATOVSKIY Maxim (RUS) 87.475
6. THOMAS Kristian (GBR) 87.350
7. MCNEILL Timothy (USA) 87.150
8. CARANOBE Benoit (FRA) 86.175

Check the detailed results and look out for updates of our photo gallery!

Press conference quotes:

Kohei Uchimura (JPN)

“Today’s performance wasn't entirely up to my standards, I was bit dissatisfied with it, but I tried the best and have the results.”

On going better from Beijing and thoughts about being in the next Olympic stadium here:
“Last year I didn't think I would have a chance of winning a medal, but after winning Silver I was aware of my position and I worked hard knowing that the Gold medal was attainable here. I hope to return in three years time for the Olympics and I think it has been a good experience for the Olympics.”

On training since age three for 17 years - Do you still feel fresh?
“After winning this Gold medal I feel fresh again!”

Did it occur to you to play safe on your last event, Horizontal Bar, knowing you had such a great lead?
“It didn't even occur to me to play safe, I've been working hard to give the best performance and it would be wrong to play safe just because of the lead.”

Daniel Keatings (GBR)

“I came here hoping to make the Final, but to get the Silver medal was a dream come true. Starting on Floor wasn't a great performance but I recovered from that.”

On rising pressure, sharing with Louis Smith:
“I'm ready to take on all the hard work that I need to do for the Olympics in 2012. Working alongside Louis will help push me.”

Did the home crowd help you perform well?
“It’s amazing, I didn't expect this at all, with the crowd supporting me it helped push me through and I am looking forward to the same support at the 2012 Olympics.”

Yury Ryazanov (RUS)

“I'm very glad to be on the podium, unfortunately I made lots of mistakes throughout the competition, so I'm absolutely honoured to be on the podium in my first World Championships!”

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow in the O2 for the Women’s All-Around Final! If you can’t make it to London, follow our live web commentary.

41st Artistic Gymnastics World Championships
London (GBR), October 13-18, 2009

Men's Qualification

LONDON (GBR), FIG Office, October 13, 2009: London’s O2 Arena finally opened its doors to the public this morning as the 41st Artistic Gymnastics World Championships got underway with the Men’s qualification round. FIG partner Gymnova supplied a superb set of apparatus and the Organising Committee, in partnership with AEG and British Gymnastics, has delivered a tournament that sets new standards for this sport!

The venue filled up during the day with exuberant fans, an encouragement to the gymnasts here in London. Today’s preliminaries featured 247 gymnasts from 67 different countries, and determined the 24 All-around finalists and eight qualifiers per event who will advance to the Apparatus Final.

Russia’s Maxim Devyatovskiy, 2008 Olympic All-around finalist, led the rankings after subdivision 1 with an overall score of 89.350 in front of US American McNeill (88.775). As the competition unfolded Japan’s Kohei Uchimura (90.925) took over, pushing Devyatovskiy and McNeill back a step.

Subdivision 1

Subdivision 1 saw local All-around hopeful Daniel Keatings (GBR), 2008 Junior European Champion in Lausanne (SUI) and 2009 Senior European All-around Silver medallist, face to face with Russian Maxim Devyatovskiy, Timothy McNeill from the US and Japan’s second All-around competitor Kazuhito Tanaka. With a total of 88.400 Keatings finished third in this subdivision while Devyatovskiy took the lead, scoring the 89.350 that placed US American McNeill in second with 88.775 points. Japanese Tanaka managed an overall 86.650 and settled for fourth after this first round.

Switzerland’s Roman Gisi and Germany’s Marcel Nguyen also made the grade in this All-around with 85.475 and 84.900 points respectively.

23-year-old Chilean Enrique Tomas Gonzalez Sepulveda gave a convincing performance on Floor and Vault where he led the ranking after the last rotation of subdivision 1. China looked good with its two entries, Yan Mingyong and Wang Guanyin, taking the lead on Rings and Parallel Bars respectively. American All-arounder McNeill placed first on Pommel Horse just ahead of Hungarian Vid Hidvegi and North Korean Kyong Hak Kim, who prevailed on Horizontal Bar while his teammate Jin Hyok Kim pocketed the third best score on Rings. Romania was well represented by Marius Daniel Berbeca, who placed second on Vault, followed by 21-year-old Egyptian Abdel Rahman Sobhy Ahmed Sobhy. Canada’s All-around competitor Jackson Payne secured his best result on Horizontal Bar today, placing third in this subdivision.

Opening Ceremony

After the qualifying rounds, the lights were turned off in the arena to signal the beginning of the official opening ceremony but came back on as the flags of 67 countries participating in these world championships were marched in. Paul Garber (GBR), President of British Gymnastics, stood before an impressive audience to address a warm welcome to the gymnasts, coaches, judges, media representatives and spectators.

On behalf of the FIG and its President Prof. Bruno Grandi (ITA), Vice President Slava Corn (CAN) expressed gratitude to the Local Organising Committee, to the management of AEG Europe and The O2 Arena, to the London City Council, to British Gymnastics, to the sponsors and partners and to the many wonderful volunteers who are offering their invaluable support. Corn wished success to the athletes, delegation members and officials in the hopes that these World Championships would be a successful milestone on the road to the London Olympic Games. Finally she declared the 41st Artistic Gymnastics World Championships open.

Leading British female gymnast Elizabeth Tweddle spoke the oath on behalf of the athletes followed by Robin Leewrhy and James May (both GBR), representing the judges.

Gymnasts from local clubs Bromley Valley, Childs Hill Display Team and Harlequins Gymnastics then provided an entertaining show of Acrobatic Gymnastics before the ceremony ended with the exit of the flag bearers.

Subdivision 2

The second subdivision was peppered with several big names in gymnastics: China’s 2008 Olympic Champions Zou Kai (Floor and Horizontal Bar) and Chen Yibing (Rings), Beijing All-around Silver medallist Kohei Uchimura (JPN), 2008 Olympic runner-up on Horizontal Bar Jonathan Horton (USA), Beijing All-around Bronze medallist Benoit Caranobe (FRA) and double World Champion on Rings Iordan Iovtchev (BUL) battled it out this afternoon in The O2 Arena.

2008 Olympic finalist on Floor Alexander Shatilov (ISR), 2007 World Silver medallist and reigning European Champion on Pommel Horse Krisztian Berki (HUN), Slovenian veteran and 2007 World runner-up Aljaz Pegan, Dutch star Epke Zonderland on Parallel Bars and Horizontal Bar, Beijing finalist on Floor and Vault Marian Dragulescu (ROU) and winner of the 2008 World Cup Final on Parallel Bars Feng Zhe (CHN) pleased an excited crowd with exceptional routines.

Local fans cheered on Kristian Thomas, who represented Great Britain on all apparatus in this round; Thomas bagged his best score of 14.550 on the Horizontal Bar.

After completing his routine on Horizontal Bar in the last rotation Japanese Kohei Uchimura took the lead in the All-around ranking with 90.925 points. He was joined at the top by Jonathan Horton (USA), whose 88.000 placed him in fifth for the time being.
Ukrainian Mykola Kuksenkov (87.750), Israeli Alexander Shatilov (87.425), Russian Yury Ryazanov (86.950) and Britain’s Kristian Thomas (86.800) also popped up among the top ten All-around gymnasts at the end of subdivision 2.

Individual apparatus rankings began to take shape after this second subdivision, with three more Chinese gymnasts taking the lead: Zhang Hongtao on Pommel Horse, Feng Zhe on Parallel Bars and Zou Kai on Horizontal Bar. Kohei Uchimura (JPN) prevailed on Floor, followed by Marian Dragulescu (ROU) and Zou Kai. New at the top for Pommel Horse were Krisztian Berki (HUN) and Robert Seligman (CRO). Yan (CHN) kept the lead on Rings, followed by Iordan Iovtchev (BUL) and George Stanescu (ROU). Dragulescu overtook Chilean Gonzalez and his own teammate Berbecar on Vault. Jonathan Horton (USA) and Epke Zonderland joined Zou at the top of the Horizontal Bar ranking after subdivision 2.

Subdivision 3

After a long day of exciting gymnastics performances, the third and final subdivision in Men’s Qualifications finalised the ranking. Famous gymnasts in this group include Russian Anton Golotsutskov (2008 Olympic Bronze medallist on Floor and Vault), Beijing Bronze medallist on Rings Oleksandr Vorobiov from Ukraine, Slovenians Aljaz Pegan (2007 World runner-up on Horizontal Bar), Mitja Petkovsek (2007 World Champion on Parallel Bars) and 2007 World Champion on Floor Diego Hypolito (BRA).

France lined up with Thomas Bouhail (Beijing runner-up and reigning European Champion on Vault), Yann Cucherat (2009 European Champion on Parallel Bars) and Danny Pinheiro-Rodrigues (Beijing finalist on Rings).

The host country’s pride and 2008 Olympic Bronze medallist Louis Smith captured the full attention and support of local fans during his flawless Pommel Horse routine.

Completing the list of big shots tonight were North Korean Se Gwang Ri (2007 World Bronze medallist), Spaniard Isaac Botella Perez (Beijing finalist on Vault) and Italy’s Matteo Morandi (Beijing finalist on Rings).

Tension rose in the O2 Arena as the day wound to a close and people began checking the scoreboards for the final results. The highest All-around rankings remained unchanged after subdivision 3; Uchimura notched the top, followed by Devyatovskiy and McNeill. The leading three gymnasts on Floor and Parallel Bars maintained their status throughout the qualifying rounds, but Hypolito’s 15.400 failed to qualify him for the Floor Final; he finished in a disappointing 9th place and the first reserve position.

Great Britain’s Smith did not disappoint his fans tonight. He scored 15.900, sliding into third place on Pommel Horse.

Danny Pinheiro-Rodrigues looked good on Rings, placing second between Yan and Iovtchev.

On Vault, Golotsutskov pushed Dragulescu down to second, and both were joined on the top by Dragulescu's teammate Flavius Koczi.

Finally on Horizontal Bar, Italian Igor Cassina and Slovenian Pegan joined Olympic Champion Zou in the lead.

The prestigious All-around Final will feature the following 24 gymnasts this year:

All-around Finalists

1 UCHIMURA Kohei JPN 90.925
2 DEVYATOVSKIY Maxim RUS 89.350
3 MCNEILL Timothy USA 88.775
4 KEATINGS Daniel GBR 88.400
5 HORTON Jonathan USA 88.000
6 KUKSENKOV Mykola UKR 87.750
7 SHATILOV Alexander ISR 87.425
8 RYAZANOV Yury RUS 86.950
9 THOMAS Kristian GBR 86.800
10 TANAKA Kazuhito JPN 86.650
11 WAMMES Jeffrey NED 86.300
12 RIVERA Luis PUR 86.050
13 POZZO Enrico ITA 85.925
14 ALMEIDA CAMPOS Manuel POR 85.600
15 GISI Roman SUI 85.475
16 VARGAS VELAZQUEZ Luis PUR 85.075
17 GIRALDO LOPEZ Jorge Hugo COL 85.000
18 LUGO SICHACA Didier Yamit COL 84.975
19 NGUYEN Marcel GER 84.900
20 CARANOBE Benoit FRA 84.550
21 MUNOZ Sergio ESP 84.475
22 BOESCHENSTEIN Nicolas SUI 84.425
23 MOLINARI Federico ARG 83.600
24 SASAKI JUNIOR Sergio BRA 83.125

The following gymnasts qualified for the Apparatus Finals in today’s Qualification:

Apparatus Finalists

Floor
1 UCHIMURA Kohei JPN 15.775
2 DRAGULESCU Marian ROU 6. 9. 15.725
3 ZOU Kai CHN 15.675
4 GONZALEZ SEPULVEDA Enrique Tomas CHI 15.575
5 FAHRIG Matthias GER 15.525
6 SHATILOV Alexander ISR 15.475
7 735 LEGENDRE Steven USA 15.475
8 641 OKIGUCHI Makoto JPN 15.425

Pommel Horse
1 ZHANG Hongtao CHN 16.275
2 BERKI Krisztian HUN 16.100
3 SMITH Louis GBR 15.900
4 KOCZI Flavius ROU 15.625
5 SELLATHURAI Prashanth AUS 15.575
6 TOMMASONE Cyril FRA 15.450
7 SELIGMAN Robert CRO 15.350
8 MCNEILL Timothy USA 15.350

Rings
1 YAN Mingyong CHN 15.900
2 PINHEIRO-RODRIGUES Danny FRA 15.625
3 IOVTCHEV Iordan BUL 15.600
4 VOROBIOV Oleksandr UKR 15.550
5 MORANDI Matteo ITA 15.450
6 STANESCU George ROU 15.450
7 AIT SAID Samir FRA 15.350
8 NABARRETE ZANETTI Arthur BRA 15.250

Vault
1 GOLOTSUTSKOV Anton RUS 16.412
2 DRAGULESCU Marian ROU 16.362
3 KOCZI Flavius ROU 16.337
4 BOUHAIL Thomas FRA 16.312
5 RI Se Gwang PRK 16.262
6 BOTELLA PEREZ Isaac ESP 16.112
7 FAHRIG Matthias GER 16.012
8 WAMMES Jeffrey NED 15.987

Parallel Bars
1 FENG Zhe CHN 15.950
2 WANG Guanyin CHN 15.800
3 TANAKA Kazuhito JPN 15.600
4 KIERZKOWSKI Adam POL 15.375
5 TSOLAKIDIS Vasileios GRE 15.375
6 CUCHERAT Yann FRA 15.375
7 YOO Won Chul KOR 15.300
8 ZONDERLAND Epke NED 15.175

Horizontal Bar
1 ZOU Kai CHN 15.600
2 CASSINA Igor ITA 15.500
3 PEGAN Aljaz SLO 15.475
4 LEYVA Danell USA 15.450
5 HORTON Jonathan USA 15.325
6 ZONDERLAND Epke NED 15.300
7 UCHIMURA Kohei JPN 15.250
8 TSAREVICH Aliaksandr BLR 15.100

Detailed results of today’s Qualification can be checked here!

The championships continue with the Women’s Qualifications tomorrow; men’s gymnastics will be back in the arena for the All-around Final on Thursday, October 15. The Men’s and Women’s Apparatus Finals will get underway this weekend, October 17-18.

Click here for the detailed competition schedule, check out the start lists for the upcoming competitions and log on to www.london2009.sportcentric.com for our live web commentary!

Photos of today’s events have been added to our online photo gallery.

See you in The O2 for more gymnastics action!