24th European Championships in Acrobatic Gymnastics
Vila Do Conde (POR), October 1 – 4, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, October 5, 2009: The last competitions of the 24th European Championships in Acrobatic Gymnastics in Vila do Conde (POR) attributed the European titles for 2009. A very large audience attended the competition venue for the Senior programme. Russia (Womens Group and Men’s Pair), Belgium (Mixed Pair), Belarus (Women’s Pair) and Bulgaria (Men's Group) are the new title holders.

Mixed Pair
It was a pleasure seeing the five Pairs once again and to wait for the final verdict who of the Pairs - the Belgians or the Russians - would win the title. Thanks to a great and new choreography, Julie von der Gelder and Menno van der Gothe, the favourites of the local spectators, obtained the very high score of 28.655. The Russian Pair Tatiana Okulova and Revaz Gurgenidze seemed not to be too satisfied with their routine (28.250). The British gymnasts Katie Axten and Nicholas Illingworth got this time the second best note of 28.351.

Ranking of the all-around competition:
1. Belgium 86.064
2. Russia 85.253
3. Great Britain 84.908
4. Ukraine 83.250; 5. Lithuania 82.100

Women’s Pair
Seven Pairs competed. The gymnasts from Belgium Florence Henrist and Tatjana De Vos presented a good exercise and got 28.112, to their entire satisfaction. They were closely followed by the Pair from Azerbaijan, Ayla Ahmadova and Dilara Sultanova; one would like to see them a bit more graceful, apart their technical qualities (28.070). The beautiful Pair from Belarus Alina Yushko and Katsiaryna Murashko obtained 27940.

Ranking of the all-around competition:
1. Belarus 84.552
2. Great-Britain 84.106
3. Azerbaijan 83.981
4. Belgium 82.925; 5. Germany 82.261; 6. Ukraine 81.947; 7. Russia 81.403

Men’s Pair
Eight Men’s Pairs competed. Immense applause for the Pair Tiago Figueiredo and Joao Maia. Supported by their public, the two gymnasts from Porto realised a great routine rewarded with a score of 28.455 which couldn’t be beaten – the hall exploded! They can go home with a third medal, a Bronze one. For their combined routine, the Russians got 28.406 and the British 28.262.

Ranking of the all-around competition:
1. Russia 85.356
2. Great Britain 84.526
3. Portugal 84.418
4. Ukraine 83.404; 5. Belarus 83.305; 6. Poland 81.807

Women’s Group
Ten Groups competed. The trio from Portugal has a gymnast who was injured during a recent national championship and could only present the balance exercise; therefore, this trio had to withdraw for the combined. Without surprise, the Russian Group wins easily and one can once again appreciate their brio. Their exercise receives once again the best note of the day: 28.800. The 2008 World Championships runners up leave behind them the Ukrainians (28.450) and the Belarusians (28.150).

Ranking of the all-around competition:
1. Russia 86.187, the best total
2. Ukraine 85.252
3. Belarus 84.658
4. Great Britain 84.540; 5. Belgium 84.009; 6. Poland 80.520

Mens’s Group
The Ukrainians came to Vila do Conde to defend their title, but their hopes fell with the first series of the pyramid. The rest of the exercise showed also smaller faults. Score 25.770 and not much chance to finish on the podium. The Russians (28.207), Belarus (28.101) and the British (28.010) were much better. As the FIG had forbidden the quadruple salto as it is considered too risky, it needed courage to realise the triple salto backwards. The most regular of the three competitions goes home with the title, Belarus.

1. Belarus 83.693
2. Bulgaria 83.489
3. Poland 82.630
4. Great Britain, 82.332; 5. Ukraine 81.859; 6. Russia 81.394

(UEG / adapt. FIG)

The detailed results can be checked here!
Consult www.ueg-gymnastics.com for more reports and videos.

24th European Championships in Acrobatic Gymnastics
Vila Do Conde (POR), October 1 – 4, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, October 2, 2009: Seven Men’s Groups, eight Women’s Pairs, six Mixed Pairs, eleven Women’s Groups and Men’s Pairs competed for the senior’s Qualifications at the 24th Acrobatic Gymnastics European Championships. Several nations are leading in the five categories.

In the first category, we have seen the very impressive exercises of the Men's Groups. The Bulgarians showed themselves the best, in front of the Ukrainians and the gymnasts from Belarus. The English Group, deprived of its bonus for the quadruple salto, which is now forbidden during the competitions, is on the fourth rank.

The competition of the Women’s Pairs resulted in the domination of the Pairs from Belarus, Ukraine and Germany. The Russian Pair is fourth.

The probably most appreciated competition, the one of the Mixed Pairs, has been marked by the spectacular programme of the Belgians. Julie van Gelder and Sam Pauwels, European Junior Champions in 2007, have further progressed in the art of dance and pantomime. They lead the ranking of the Qualifications before the Pairs from Russia and Great Britain.

There was some confusion in the category of the Men’s Pairs. The two Pairs Ukraine 1 and 2 had reversed their starting order. The superior jury treated the unusual case after the end of the competition. Less than one point separate the seven first, the competition was lead by Russia, before Great Britain and Ukraine.

In the second part, one could see very beautiful exercises in the category of the Women’s Groups, which presented very dynamic exercises. Russia is leading before Ukraine and the two English Groups.

Friday, the seniors will present their second programme, either dynamic, or static. The eight best in each category and exercise will compete in the Individual Finals.

(UEG / adapt. FIG)

Check http://www.ueg-gymnastics.com for updates on the 24th Acrobatic Gymnastics European Championships for Seniors as well as the 8th Juniors' European Championships in Vila Do Condo!

24th European Championships in Acrobatic Gymnastics
Vila Do Conde (POR), October 1 – 4, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, September 24, 2009: From September 25 – 29 the 4th Acrobatic Gymnastics European Age Group Games will take place in Vila do Conde POR, followed by the 24th European Championships for Seniors and 8th European Championships for Juniors, from October 1 – 4, 2009.

Some 422 gymnasts from 18 national federations will compete at the Acrobatic Gymnastics European Championships end of September and beginning of October in Vila Do Conde (POR) in the categories Women’s Pairs, Men’s Pairs, Mixed Pairs, Women’s Trios and Men’s Groups. Of the different winners in 2007 in the senior’s category, only the Ukrainian men’s four will defend their title. The titleholder in the junior category (Russia) will also compete, but in the seniors’ category. Several medallists of 2007 will be present in Portugal in a different category or with other partners.

Titleholders Seniors 2007 in s’Hertogenbosch (NED)
Women’s Pair: Khakimova/Ploskova (RUS)
Men’s Pair: Popov/Shcherbak (UKR)
Mixed Pair: Kovtun/Glazkov (RUS)
Women’s Group : Grove-Morrison-Lamkin (GBR)
Men’s Group: Kriuchkov/Lytvak/Urazbakiyev/Bilozor (UKR)

Programme 2009:
September 28: European Age Group Games - Qualifications
September 29: EAGG – Finals
October 1 - 2: Qualifications Juniors and Seniors /1st part Juniors Finals
October 3: Individual Finals Juniors and Seniors / second part and end October 4: Finals Seniors All-around (combined exercise)

(UEG / adapt. FIG)

FIG World Cup B in Acrobatic Gymnastics
Veliky Novgorod (RUS), August 21 - 22, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, August 25, 2009: After St Paul (USA), this year’s second FIG World Cup tournament in Acrobatic Gymnastics took place from August 21 – 22 in Veliky Novgorod (RUS). 81 gymnasts from nine different federations competed in this event.

Once again the gymnasts presented a fantastic display of high level acrobatics. Participating for the first time at a World Cup event, the Men's Pair from Tajikistan were welcomed by the family of acrobatics. They represented their country well, and gave notice of more to come. The medal winners were spread among the twelve participating countries and deservedly so. The Gold medals were shared between China (Men’s Group), Belgium (Mixed Pair), Russia (Women’s Group and Men’s Pair) and Belarus (Women’s Pair).

Men’s Group
Gold – CHN - Total: 29.001
Silver – RUS 1 - Total: 28.957
Bronze – RUS 3 - Total: 28.911

Women’s Group
Gold – RUS1 - Total: 29.250
Silver – BEL - Total: 28.603
Bronze – BLR – Total: 25.580

Mixed Pair
Gold – BEL: VAN GELDER Julie / VANDERGHOTE Menno - Total: 28.855
Silver – RUS2: GORBATUK Anastasia / BARLEBEN Alexander - Total: 28.804
Bronze – RUS3: BASTRIGINA Olga / LEONOV Anatoly - Total: 28.350

Men’s Pair
Gold – RUS1: PILIPCHUK Konstantin / DUDCHENKO Alexey - Total: 29.057
Silver – RUS2: SPIRIN Vycheslav / KOTELNIKOV Stanislav - Total: 28.912
Bronze – CHN1: CHEN Hongen / YANG Hengyi - Total: 28.832

Women’s Pair
Gold – BLR: YUSHKO Alina / MURASHKO Katsiaryna - Total: 29.151
Silver – AZE: SULTANOVA Dilara / AHMADOVA Ayla - Total: 28.702
Bronze – BEL: DE VOS Tatjana / HENRIST Florence - Total: 28.612

Check the detailed results!

The World Cup winners were presented with their trophies by the FIG President Bruno Grandi during a special performance for Gennady Aleshin, Vice President of the Ministry of Sport in Russia and Vice President of the Olympic Committee of Russia.

Congratulations and much appreciation to the Russian Sport Acrobatic Federation and Committee of Physical Culture and Sport Veliky Novgorod Region and to FIG TC ACRO Vice President Irina Nikitina for a successful World Cup Series Final.

Lausanne (SUI), August 19, 2009: From August 19 – 23, the city of Veliky Novgorod (RUS) will be hosting a stage on the category B FIG Acrobatic Gymnastics World Cup Series. This is a major event, particularly for gymnasts of the eastern European zone, and will sketch a new hierarchy in the discipline. 90 athletes are on the starting line from 11 different countries.

Russia and China are the favourites for this event but nothing is set in stone; the competition is wide open and is a first leg in the race for the 2010 Worlds in Wrocklaw (POL).

A few of last year’s medallists from the 2008 World Championships in Glasgow (GBR) will be in Veliky Novgorod: Alexei Dudchenko and Konstantin Pilipchuk (RUS - Silver Men's Pair); Alina Yushko and Katsiaryna Murashko (BLR - or Women's Pair); Anastasia Gorbatyuk and Akexander Barleben (RUS - Silver Mixed Pair).

Tatiana Okulova and Revaz Gurgenidze (RUS) will be making their comeback after having been sanctioned and excluded from competition since the 2007 World Cup Final in Puurs (BEL).

This is the comeback of a legendary Mixed Pair!

Symposium

A symposium is planned for August 23, 2009. It will take place in the same venue in conjunction with this FIG World Cup Series.

The symposium will be conducted by the FIG Acrobatic Gymnastics Technical Committee, FIG President Prof. Bruno Grandi (ITA) and FIG Secretary General Andre Gueisbuhler, and targets the family of Acrobatic Gymnastics.

The three major topics to be tackled are as follows: The short life cycle of competitive gymnasts. How can contributing factors such as the competition calendar, the transitional phase from age group to senior gymnastics, and life after competition be more wisely handled? Increase recognition of the discipline. How can the discipline be better promoted? Who are the discipline’s media stars? Initiatives to increase participation. In an effort to pinpoint opportunities to boost the number of countries participating in ACRO World Championships, problems need to be identified.

The Cirque du Soleil, official partner of the FIG, is jointly associated with the Symposium, which will be chaired by FIG President Prof. Bruno Grandi (ITA).

FIG World Cup B in Acrobatic Gymnastics
Veliky Novgorod (RUS), August 21 - 22, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, August 7, 2009: World class Acro performances are guaranteed at the upcoming FIG World Cup on August 21 – 22, with the 2008 World Champions, 2009 World Games Champions and winners of the recent Freedom Cup lining up in Veliky Novgorod (RUS)!

In Women’s Pairs spectators get to see 2008 World Championship runners-up and 2009 World Games Gold medallists Florence Henrist and Tatjana de Vos from Belgium as well as the current World Champions Alina Yushko and Katsiaryna Murashko (BLR). Strong competition hails from Russia with Raushaniya Khakimova and Alena Ploskova, Glasgow Bronze medallists, and from Azerbaijan with Kaohsiung runners-up Ayla Ahmadova and Dilara Sultanova. Furthermore, Russia’s second entry, and the Pairs from China and Germany are not to be undervalued!

The Men’s Pair competition features Glasgow and Kaohsiung Silver medallists Konstantin Pilipchuk and Alexey Dudchenko from Russia and their compatriots Viacheslav Spirin and Stanislav Kotelnikov, 4th at the 2008 World Championships. The Portuguese Pair Joao Maia and Tiago Fegueiredo recently won the Freedom Cup in St. Paul. Fans can look forward to performances from the two registered Chinese Pairs, the Pairs from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tadzhikistan and Moldavia.

In the absence of the World Champions and of the winners of the World Games in Kaohsiung, the Belgian Pair made of Julie Van Gelder and Menno Vandergrothe, second in Kaohsiung, and Glasgow runners-up Anastasia Gobartuk and Alexander Barlben from Russia, certainly count among the favourites in Veliky Novgorod. China and Kazakhstan will also compete in this category while Russia will be represented by two additional Mixed Pairs.

World Games winners and Glasgow runners-up Shaykhutdinova, Stroynova and Loginova (RUS 1) stand out of the field of Women’s Groups, followed by Kaohsiung runners-up from Belgium Vanstaen, Croket and Van Hombeeck. Also competing are Groups from Belarus, China, France, Kazakhstan and Russia’s second entry.

China’s Men’s Group will be matching against three Russian Groups, one of which (RUS 3) placed 4th at the 2008 World Championships in Glasgow.

Check the nominative registration!

This upcoming World Cup features the last event of the current FIG World Cup Series. The overall winners in the five categories will be awarded the World Cups during a specific award ceremony chaired by FIG President Prof. Bruno Grandi in person.

The 2009 World Games Kaohsiung (TPE)
Review July 22, 2009

KAOHSIUNG (TPE), FIG Office, July 22, 2009: The last of three days of hot trampoline and acrobatic World Games action spotlighted Qualifications and Finals in Double Mini-Trampoline, Women’s Synchronised Trampoline and Acrobatic Gymnastics Men’s Group in the Kaohsiung Arena.

A great many countries medalled at these competitions, chief among which Russia, who added two Gold and one Silver to their record. Gymnasts from China, Great Britain, Ukraine, Portugal, Germany and the USA also made it to the podium. Some intense action was had here in Kaohsiung tonight! Here’s a look at some of this event’s most memorable moments:

Women’s Double Mini-Trampoline

In the first Final of the day, Viktoria Voronina (RUS), a 2-time European medallist, delivered a masterful performance that captured the Gold medal in Women's Double Mini-Trampoline. With 69.800, she scored a 4.00 pt margin win over her rivals. The titillated crowd saw US American Sarah Prosen come in second. With 65.700 points she overthrew her compatriot Aubree Balkan, 2008 Pan American runner-up, who settled for Bronze with 65.500.

Results Qualifications

Results Finals

Gold – VORONINA Victoria (RUS) – Total: 69.800
Silver – PROSEN Sarah (USA) – Total: 65.700
Bronze – BALKAN Aubree (USA) – Total: 65.500

Men’s Double Mini-Trampoline

Kirill Ivanov masters his breathtaking, high-difficulty exercises faultlessly. The 2007 World Champion from Russia confirmed his overall supremacy in tonight’s Men's Double Mini-Trampoline Final. But overcoming 20 year old Portuguese Andre Lico (75.700) was a gruelling battle of wits (76.400). As a result of two strong passes in the Final, Germany’s Nico Gaertner, Bronze Medallist of the 2005 World Championships in Eindhoven, placed a staggering third with a score of 70.000 after having barely qualified in 7th. Australia’s Ty Swadling missed out on a medal, placing fourth. Brazil’s Bruno Martini, though second at the Qualifications, had a tough break today. He botched the first pass in the Final with an awkward landing, dropping to last place.

The spectators recognised the sheer excellence of these trampolinists for what it was, and appreciated every bit of their phenomenal performances.

Results Qualifications

Results Finals

Gold – IVANOV Kirill (RUS) – Total: 76.400
Silver – LICO Andre (POR) – Total: 75.700
Bronze – GAERTNER Nico (GER) – Total: 70.000

Women’s Synchronised Trampoline

In Women's Synchronised Trampoline, FIG World Ranking leaders Yulia Domchevska and Elena Movchan from Ukraine captured the Gold with a total of 46.800, pushing China’s Gu Qingwen and Jiang Yiqi into second place and under the tie-break rules. Visibly pleased, Carina Baumgaertner and Jessica Simon claimed the overall third Bronze medal in Trampoline events for Germany with a score of 45.400. They confirmed their 3rd place from Qualification with a consistent performance. And while the Russian and Canadian Pairs were among the favourites in this competition, they didn’t quite make the grade tonight, finishing seventh and eighth respectively.

The Pairs from Ukraine, France and Portugal did not qualify for the Final after a volley of major mistakes kept them from completing their routines.

Results Qualifications

Results Finals

Gold – UKR: DOMCHEVSKA Yulia – MOVCHAN Olena - Total: 46.800
Silver – CHN: GU Qingwen – JIANG Yiqi - Total: 46.800
Bronze – GER: BAUMGAERTNER Carina – SIMON Jessica – Total: 45.400

Acrobatic Gymnastics Men’s Group

The Men’s Groups from China, Great Britain, Ukraine and Bulgaria gave spectators their money’s worth in an exciting and close Acrobatic competition! 2008 World Championship runner-up China with Fang Sheng, Han Youliang, Xue Wangxin and Zhao Yu Chao dominated the Final (28.764) for a Gold medal. Great Britain’s Adam Buckingham, Adam McAssey, Jonathan Stranks and Alexander Uttley took home Silver with 28.460 points, followed by the Ukrainian quartet Andriy Bilozor, Denys Kriuchkov, Andrii Lytvak and Roman Urazbakiyev (28.269), who settled for Bronze. Bulgaria missed out on a medal in this discipline tonight.

Results Qualifications

Results Finals

Gold – CHN: FANG – HAN - XUE – ZHAO- Total: 28.764
Silver – GBR: BUCKINGHAM – MCASSEY – STRANKS - UTTLEY - Total: 28.460
Bronze – UKR: BILOZOR – KRIUCHKOV – LYTVAK - URAZBAKIYEV – Total: 28.269

Click on the respective title for detailed result lists and check out our online photo galleries!

FIG Vice President Dr Michel Léglise (FRA) officially concluded the Trampoline and Acrobatic competitions of the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung tonight. He thanked the organisers and many volunteers for the fantastic job they did while hosting the gymnastic competitions in the Kaohsiung Arena over the past six days. Addressing the audience, Léglise highlighted the wonderful atmosphere they’d created and mentioned the upcoming Aerobic Gymnastics competitions in the Cultural Center Jhihde Hall on July 24 and 25. 

Review July 21, 2009

KAOHSIUNG (TPE), FIG Office, July 21, 2009: Tonight the Kaohsiung Arena was full to bursting with Women’s and Men’s Tumbling and Acrobatic Men’s Pair and Women’s Group events. Tumblers wowed the crowd with a surprising blend of controlled virtuosity, speed and energy, while acrobats delivered a bevy of stunning moves and breathtaking positions in harmonious choreographies. Russian gymnasts swept today’s competitions, carrying off 3 Gold and 2 Silver medals! Ukraine’s gymnasts won one Gold and two Bronze tonight and Great Britain claimed two Silvers and one Bronze.

Fans enjoyed a top-notch evening full of gymnastic action here in Kaohsiung; a few highlights:

Women’s Tumbling

The world’s number one female tumbler, 26 year old Anna Korobeynikova (RUS), didn’t leave any doubt as to her supremacy in this discipline; she ran off with the Gold tonight after having led the Qualifications with a plush 65.400 points. Anna spiced up her Final with some epic difficulty that secured her a 68.900 pt. score. None of the other competitors came even close. Korobeynikova’s compatriot Anzhelika Soldatkina (22) placed second with 65.000 and Canadian Emily Smith, who ranked fourth at the qualifying round, improved her score to 63.800, swiping the Bronze. Smith edged out Great Britain’s Jennifer Dawes (63.100), who had set her cap for the podium after ranking second in the Qualification.

Results Qualifications

Results Finals

Gold – KOROBEYNIKOVA Anna (RUS) – Total: 68.900
Silver – SOLDATKINA Anzhelika (RUS) – Total: 65.000
Bronze – SMITH Emily (CAN) – Total: 63.800

Men’s Tumbling

This high profile Men’s Tumbling event rocked the hall today! The field of truly great champions was a regal sight, with a competition that managed to maintain its appeal despite the fact that all eight participants automatically qualified for the Final. With 68.800, World Champion Andrey Krylov gave a relatively modest performance in the Qualification; but he didn’t have to be asked twice to show his full power in the Finals! He pleased the crowd and came out on top with a sweet 75.700 that won him the Gold! 21 year old Michael Barnes from Great Britain showed fantastic routines in the Qualification (70.700). He upped the bar later on with a 72.200 pt score and was rewarded with a spot behind Krylov. Ukrainian Qualification leader Viktor Kyforenko ended up with a Bronze after a 67.000 pt performance. Belarus’ Andrei Kabishev, second during Qualification, missed out on a medal and placed fourth just behind Kyforenko, who scored 66.100.

Results Qualifications

Results Finals

Gold – KRYLOV Andrey (RUS) – Total: 75.700
Silver – BARNES Michael (GBR) – Total: 72.200
Bronze –KYFORENKO Viktor (UKR) – Total: 67.000

Acrobatic Gymnastics Women’s Group

Featuring a tight, top-level field, the Women’s Group Acrobatic Final was a great time overall. The positions these trios performed were so fantastically incredible that spectators held their breath in awe! A fired-up crowd saw the Russian Group, made up of Ekaterina Loginova, Aygul Shaykhudinova and Ekaterina Stroynova, carrying off Gold with 28.901 points. After having qualified fourth, Great Britain won Silver with a sleight of hand, scoring 28.401 and edging out Ukraine (28.330) by a narrow margin. Belgium, third in Qualification, missed out on a podium rank today.
The Groups from Belarus and Germany did not qualify for the Final.

Results Qualifications

Results Finals

Gold – RUS: LOGINOVA – SHAYKHUDINOVA - STROYNOVA - Total: 28.901
Silver – GBR: RICHARDSON – SLATER – YOUNG - Total: 28.401
Bronze – UKR: KALYTA – ODINTSOVA – VINNIK – Total: 28.330

Acrobatic Gymnastics Men’s Pair

A neck and neck race for Men’s Pair acrobats this afternoon; World Champions Mikola Cherbak and Sergei Popov from Ukraine overcame the pressure and prevailed (28.924), stunning the crowd with breathtaking positions and phenomenal moves. Confirming their second place from Qualification, Alexei Dudchenko and Konstantin Pilipchuk, Russian runners-up at the 2008 World Championships, settled for Silver (28.654), while the young British Pair Douglas Fordyce and Edward Upcott, outclassed by a narrow margin, settled for Bronze with a total of 28.562.
China drew the short draw tonight, ranking fourth with 26.370 in the Finals. Placed fifth and sixth in the Qualifications, the Portuguese and German Pairs did not qualify for the Final.

Results Qualifications

Results Finals

Gold – UKR: CHERBAK Mikola / POPOV Sergei - Total: 28.924
Silver – RUS: DUDCHENKO Alexei / PILIPCHUK Konstantin - Total: 28.654
Bronze – GBR: FORDYCE Douglas / UPCOTT Edward - Total: 28.562

Click on the respective title for detailed result lists!

The Acrobatic and Trampoline Gymnastics events will conclude tomorrow with Qualifications and Finals in Men’s and Women’s Double Mini-Trampoline, Women’s Synchronised Trampoline and Men’s Group Acrobatics. Don’t miss it!

The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung

Review ACRO Women’s and Mixed Pair, Men’s Synchronised Trampoline Qualifications and Finals, July 20, 2009

KAOHSIUNG (TPE), FIG Office, July 20, 2009: In his inaugural speech Mr Tsai Ching-hua, Director of the Kaohsiung Organizing Committee (KOC), gave a warm reception to the spectators, delegations and athletes attending the Trampoline, Tumbling and Acrobatic Gymnastics events of the 2009 World Games tonight in the Kaohsiung Arena. FIG Vice President Dr Michel Léglise (FRA) addressed the public with words of welcome and wished the best of luck to all participants before declaring the competitions open.

Firing up the gymnasts, tonight’s spectators in a crowded Kaohsiung Arena were visibly flabbergasted by the spectacular routines! Here’s what they witnessed:

Acrobatic Gymnastics Mixed Pair

In a competition showcasing harmonious elegance and a full range of acrobatic moves, the Acrobatic Mixed Pairs captivated the crowd with perfectly synchronised routines. In the end, 2008 World Champion runners up Kristin Allen and Michael Rodrigues (USA) came in first with a score of 28.806, edging out Julie van Gelder and Manno Vanderghote from Belgium, who were initially leading the Qualifications. Third in the preliminaries, the British Pair confirmed its rank in the Finals and carried off Bronze with 28.551. Forth came Russia’s Revaz Gurgenidze and Tatiana Okulova. The Ukrainian and Belarusian Pairs did not qualify for the Finals.

Results Qualifications

Results Finals

Gold – USA: ALLEN Kristin / RODRIGUES Michael - Total: 28.806
Silver – BEL: VAN GELDER Julie / VANDERGHOTE Menno - Total: 28.653
Bronze – GBR: AXTEN Katie / ILLINGWORTH Nicholas - Total: 28.551

Acrobatic Gymnastics Women’s Pair

Today was a great day for Belgian Acrobatics! After the Silver Medal in Mixed Pair, Belgian Tatjana de Vos and Florence Henrist topped the rankings of the Women’s Pair competition with a total score of 28.612, edging out Ayla Ammadova and Dilara Sultanova (AZE) by a slim .010! The Azerbaijani Pair that we’ve seen rise to power over the past few years was leading the qualifying earlier today. Third came British Pair Mollie Grehan and Maiken Thorne with 28.453 points. Belarusian stars Katsiaryna Murashko and Alina Yushko were unlucky today, missing out on a medal due to a major mistake in the beginning of their routine. They scored 27.650 and placed fourth.

Results Qualifications

Results Finals

Gold – BEL: DE VOS Tatiana / HENRIST Florence - Total: 28.612
Silver – AZE: AMMADOVA Ayla and SULTANOVA Dilara - Total: 26.602
Bronze – GBR: GREHAN Mollie and THORNE Maiken – Total: 28.453

Men’s Synchronised Trampoline Final

After having passed the Qualifications glitch-free in first and third place, the Japanese and French Pairs carried off Gold and Silver as expected in a strong and close Men’s Synchronised Trampoline Final. Masaki Ito and Shunsuke Nagasaki (JPN) gave a flawless routine that earned them 51.100 points. French world ranking leaders Sébastien Martiny and Grégoire Pennes scored 50.000. Germany’s Martin Gromowski and Dennis Luxon earned a well-deserved if not unexpected Bronze, having just barely qualified for the Finals in rank seven: 49.500. Pumped for having achieved the best ranking of their career so far, the Pair edged out Portugal’s Nuno Merino and Ganchinho Diogo by only .100 points. Although they initially placed a comfy second in the qualification, Ukrainians Olexander Chernonos and Yuri Nikitin dropped to a colder fifth place in the Finals; too many mistakes kept them out of the medal ranks.

Results Qualification

Results Finals

Gold – JPN: NAGASAKI Shunsuke / ITO Masaki - Total: 51.100
Silver – FRA: PENNES Grégoire / MARTINY Sébastien - Total: 50.000
Bronze – GER: GROMOWSKI Martin / LUXON Dennis - Total: 49.500

Click on the respective title for detailed result lists!

After a day of fantastic gymnastic performances, spectators won’t be long in spreading the word. They’re coming back in droves to the Kaohsiung Arena tomorrow to watch the upcoming Tumbling, Women’s Group and Men’s Pair Acrobatic competitions.

2009 Freedom Cup in Acrobatic Gymnastics
St Paul (USA), July 10 – 12, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 17, 2009: 2008 World Silver medallists Michael Rodrigues and Kristin Allen (USA) won the All-around title in Mixed Pair of the 2009 Freedom Cup at The Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium in Saint Paul (USA). During finals on the last day of competition, Rodrigues and Allen posted a 28.890 combined performance, just ahead of Russia’s Anastasia Gorbatyuk and Alexandr Barleben, who earned a 28.754, and the 28.688 scored by Belgium’s Julie Van Gelder and Menno Vanderghote.

Belgium’s Eloise Vanstaen, Maaike Croquet and Corinne Van Hombeeck held onto the All-around Women’s Group title with a finals combined score of 28.383. Magalie Van Echelpoel, Laura Purdy and Marlene Hameroy followed with 27.227.

In Women’s Pairs, Florence Henrist and Tatsiana Devos of Belgium tallied a finals combined score of 28.829, maintaining their first place position and winning the All-around. Russian pair Natalia Fedorova and Tatiana Alexseeva finished second with a 28.150, while Janina Hiller and Sophia Muller of Germany placed third with a finals combined score of 27.727.

Click here to check the complete results!

(source: USA Gymnastics / adapt. FIG)

LAUSANNE (SUI), July 14, 2009: FIG President Grandi has signed the official contract for the organization of the 22nd Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships and World Age Group Competitions 2010.
The competition will be held from 06 - 19 July, in Wroclaw (POL) in the Hala Orbita as per following dates:  Age Groups dates: 06 -13 July (Competitions: 10 -12 July) and Worlds Championships dates: 13 - 19 July Competitions: 16 - 18 July).

FIG Authorities and its Technical Committee, Chaired by Ms Tonya Case (USA) thanked the Polish Gymnastics Federation for its support and are looking forward to come back to Poland with all the Acro Community, in a country that has welcomed 3 World Championships, in Poznan in 1980 and Wroklaw in 1995 and 2000.

FIG World Cup B in Acrobatic Gymnastics
Veliky Novgorod (RUS), August 21 - 22, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 10, 2009: A total of 94 gymnasts from 12 different federations are expected to participate in this year’s second FIG Acrobatic Gymnastics World Cup, this time in Veliky Novgorod (RUS) from August 21 - 22, 2009.

The Russian Sports Acrobatics Federation (FSAR) is hosting the category B World Cup at the Sport Centre Novgu venue. The dynamic floor for the top level Acrobatic Gymnastics competition will be provided by FIG partner Gymnova.
Under the supervision of FIG Acrobatic Technical Committee President Tonya Case (USA) and Committee Vice-President Irina Nikitina (RUS), who participated via video conferencing, the official draw for the World Cup was conducted at the FIG office yesterday by FIG Sport Manager Alexandre Cola and FIG IT Manager Pierre Droz.

Check the definitive registration and the official draw!

The preliminary competitions in all five disciplines including balance and dynamic exercises are scheduled for Friday, August 21, and all finals featuring combined exercises will take place on Saturday, August 22. Also on the programme in Veliky Novgorod are an Age Group competition from August 21 – 23 and a symposium for the development of Acrobatic Gymnastics on August 23.

Deadline for nominative entries for the World Cup is July 19, 2009.

The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung (TPE), July 16 – 26, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 8, 2009: In only 9 days, the gymnastics events of the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung (TPE) will begin on July 17 with Rhythmic Gymnastics competitions in the impressive Kaohsiung Arena.

The brand-new multi-sport arena with a capacity of 15,000 will not only be the stage for 24 top level Rhythmic gymnasts for two days straight, it will host the Trampoline, Tumbling, and Acrobatic Gymnastics competitions from July 20 – 22. Aerobic gymnasts will give their performances with a show of awe-inspiring skill on July 24 – 25 in the Cultural Centre Jhihde Hall, a beautiful theatre boasting 2,500 seats.

ESPN will provide live broadcasting for all gymnastics finals while Public Television Service (PTS) produces daily highlights of every sport represented at the Games. A total of 31 different sports are included on the World Games 2009 programme, which features over 3,200 athletes from 90 countries. More than 790 national and international media representatives are accredited for this multi-sport event, which to this point is unique in the annals of Chinese Taipei.

The World Games 2009 will kick off with an Opening Ceremony on July 16 at 7:30 pm local time in the newly built Main Stadium on the northern side of Kaohsiung. The ceremony is composed of four key elements - technology, ocean, steel, and light, each of which characterises the host city. 4,000 performers will present a 45-minute virtual show composed by award winning director Li Shao-ping. Another expected highlight at the opening is a three-minute firework display during which 3,000 fireworks will be shot off. The fireworks simulation video can be watched here.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has developed a microsite for the World Games 2009 where fans can find all information relevant to the event. Information will be updated regularly throughout the Games with news, results and photo galleries. The website was launched today at http://www.kaohsiung2009.sportcentric.com/.

Fight against doping

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, June 25, 2009: Just 20 days prior to the opening ceremony of the 8th World Games, 265 qualified gymnasts are getting ready to depart for Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei’s second largest city. The athletes hail from 4 of the 7 official FIG disciplines: Individual Rhythmic Gymnastics, Synchronised Trampoline Gymnastics, Tumbling and Double-mini, Aerobic Gymnastics and Acrobatic Gymnastics.

The FIG reminded participating federations of the testing procedures that will be imposed on participating gymnasts. National governing bodies for gymnastics are required to distribute the information at every level of their organisation, notably information regarding prohibited substances, their evolution and testing procedures. As always, the best way to prevent doping and actively counter abuse of and violations to anti-doping rules is through simple communication, or the circulation of information. In Kaohsiung, athletes will be tested both in and out of competition in compliance with FIG-ratified WADA procedures (World Anti-doping Agency).

At a recent symposium dealing with the legal issues surrounding sport management, the FIG expounded on the responsibility borne by the national federations for their gymnasts, specifically in pre-competition training and anti-doping affairs.

Acrobatic Gymnastics Symposium
Veliky Novgorod (RUS), August 23, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, June 23, 2009: At a round table meeting held parallel to the 2008 Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships, the idea to organise a symposium on the development of Acrobatic Gymnastics surfaced during a series of intense discussions. The idea has now taken shape and a symposium is planned for August 23, 2009 in Veliky Novgorod (RUS) and in conjunction with the second FIG World Cup Series this year.

The symposium will be conducted by the FIG Acrobatic Gymnastics Technical Committee, FIG President Prof. Bruno Grandi (ITA) and FIG Secretary General André Gueisbuhler and targets the Acrobatic Gymnastics community.

Three major topics will be addressed:

1. Short life cycle for competitive gymnasts
How can contributing factors such as the competitions calendar, the transitional phase between age-group and senior gymnasts, and life after competition be better exploited?

2. Increasing recognition of the discipline
How to better promote the discipline. Who are the discipline’s media stars?

3. Initiatives to increase participation
In order to increase the number of countries participating at ACRO World Championships, problems need to be identified and addressed.

The official invitation to the Acrobatic Gymnastics symposium will be sent out to the FIG member federations shortly.