BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 23. We coped with the task, silver medalists of the FIG World Cup in rhythmic gymnastics in Baku, members of the Azerbaijani team in group exercises told Trend on Saturday.
The team includes Gullu Agalarzade, Laman Alimuradova, Kamilla Aliyeva, Zeynab Hummatova, Elizaveta Luzan and Daria Sorokina.
"This was our first competition this year. Of course, it is a great responsibility to perform in the native Gymnastics Arena, and therefore the excitement was felt. However, our team prepared for these competitions both physically and mentally, and we were able to overcome this excitement. We want to express our gratitude to everyone who supported us in preparing for these competitions - the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, our coaches, medical staff. Their support inspires us and gives us strength. The won "silver" in the all-around Cup is a victory for each of us. Tomorrow in the finals we will try to perform better than today and show a higher result," said team member Zeynab Hummatova.
According to Gullu Agalarzade, the team coped with the task.
"Based on the results of two qualifications, I think we coped well with the task. Taking into account that new rules came into force this year, and this was our first competition, I think the team was able to show a decent result. Tomorrow in the finals we will try to perform the exercise cleanly, without blots," she added.
Speaking about the competitors at the World Cup, the members of the Azerbaijani team emphasized that they do not look back at the rivals, but concentrate on their performance.
"This year our composition is very difficult, we put on a program worthy of medals, and we will try to show a good performance, and it is the task of the judges to evaluate it," the gymnasts said.
The FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup is being held in Baku from April 22 through April 24.
Some 130 athletes from 31 countries, including 42 individual and 84 group gymnasts (14 groups), are taking part in the competition.
Azerbaijan is being represented in the individual program by Arzu Jalilova and Zohra Aghamirova, while Gullu Aghalarzade, Laman Alimuradova, Kamilla Aliyeva, Zeynab Hummatova, Yelyzaveta Luzan and Darya Sorokina are performing within the team in group exercises.
During the three-day competitions, gymnasts will compete in the All-Around and apparatus finals. Traditionally, AGF Trophy Cup will be presented to the gymnast and team in group exercises that received the highest execution score from the judges at the World Cup.