Baku, Azerbaijan, May 17
By Jani Babayeva - Trend:
It is great to perform when being supported and applauded, Estonian gymnast Viktoria Bogdanova told Trend after her performance on the second day of the 35th European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Baku.
“I participated a few weeks ago at the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup (April 26-28) in Baku, in the same hall, so today it is easier to perform, because the atmosphere is already familiar,” she said. “In the exercise with a ball, I felt much more confident than at the World Cup. This is while I made one ridiculous mistake in the exercises with a hoop. I think it’s just excitement. But I don’t relax, tomorrow I will perform in the exercises with a ribbon and clubs, so I have to get together and do my best till the end.”
Bogdanova noted that the audience supports each gymnast.
Estonian female athlete added that the mascot, a monkey called Luigi, brought her a lot of positive emotions.
“We yesterday watched the performance of teams in group exercises, and saw the mascot,” she noted. “He is so funny that we even forgot to follow the judges’ assessment and only looked at Luigi.”
The second day of the 35th European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships is underway in the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku.
The qualifying competitions of senior female gymnasts in the individual program in exercises with a hoop and a ball are taking place on the second day of the championships.
The 35th Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships will last until May 19. During the four-day championships, senior female gymnasts will perform in the individual program, while junior gymnasts will participate in the group exercise program. Athletes from 35 countries are taking part in the championships.
Azerbaijan is represented by Zohra Agamirova and Veronika Hudis in the individual program, and a team consisting of Madina Asadova, Laman Alimuradova, Seljan Hajizade, Milana Akbarova, Farida Safiyarzade in group exercises.