Baku, Azerbaijan, May 19
By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend:
Azerbaijani gymnasts have been selected for participation in the 32nd European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship, which will kick off in Holon, Israel on June 17, Mariana Vasileva, head coach of Azerbaijan's national team in rhythmic gymnastics, told Trend May 19.
"We have two quotas in an individual program, which involves 20 strongest female gymnasts in Europe," Vasileva said. "Azerbaijan will be represented by Marina Durunda and Zhala Piriyeva - the gymnasts, who held the first two places at the 22nd Azerbaijan Championship among Age Categories and Interregional Cup in Rhythmic Gymnastics."
"Among juniors, Azerbaijan's team will be represented by Zohra Agamirova, Veronika Hudis, Ilaha Mammadova, Darya Sorokina and reserve gymnast Darya Farshbafshahriyari," Vasileva said. "Moreover, the junior group team consisting of Ayshan Bayramova, Zeyneb Celep, Siyana Vasileva, Diana Doman and Alexandra Platonova, will take part in the 32nd European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship.
Vasileva said that the main task is to perform well at the upcoming championship.
"It is sport and I can not predict the results," she said. "I would like everything to be fair, given the referees' ambiguous attitude towards Azerbaijani gymnasts."
"As for the Olympic Games, Azerbaijan's representation there depends on Marina Durunda's training," Vasileva said.
"If she is in good shape, and I think she will be, because there is much time before the Olympics Games, she will represent Azerbaijan," Vasileva said. "Zhala Piriyeva is our reserve gymnast."
The 32nd European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship will be held in Holon, Israel June 17-19.