The 15th Baku championship in rhythmic gymnastics happened to be record-breaking due to the number of participants. 6 young gymnasts from Ganja competed in the tournament together with 87 Baku gymnasts, which performed in four age groups.

It was noticed by specialists, audience, as well as by the head of Baku Central Administrative Board of Youth and Sport, Ragif Abbasov. “The increase in number of participants in this competition is the result of the growing interest in rhythmic gymnastics in our country. And running of the World and European championships in Baku for the last years facilitated to the further popularization of this kind of sports in Azerbaijan,” he said. An interesting contest developed for awards among sportswomen born in 1993-94, pretending to participation in the composition of the country’s junior national team in the European championships to be held in Italy in June. According to forecasts, the first place was taken by Nigar Abdusalimova from Baku Gymnastics School who received 85.25 points in the all-around. Her club-mate Saida Abdullayeva lost to her two points and Ayelita Khalafova, also representing one of the capital schools, lost to her only a point. In the tournament of gymnasts born in 1995-96, Aysha Mustafayeva from “Trade Unions” took the first place, having received 80.85 points. Lala Yusifova (78.6, Republican Complex Sports School) and Kamila Mammadova (78.55, “Trade Unions”) were among the prize-winners as well. Among gymnasts born in 1997-98, the whole pedestal was given to the representatives of the Republican Complex Sports School. Yekaterina Prokopenko became the absolute leader, having received from the judges in the total of the all-around 59.75 points. Mansura Baghiyeva received almost less than 4 points, the third place was taken by Gulsum Shafizada – 55.1 points. Finally, Jannat Mammadova from the “Trade Unions” having received 34.25 points became the winner in the youngest age group consisting of gymnasts born in 1999-2000. Her team-mate Mehbara Mansurova took the second place (33.65), the third place – Narmina Huseynova (30.7, Baku Gymnastics School). The press-service of Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation also informs that the 15th Open Azerbaijan Championship in rhythmic gymnastics will be held at the Olympic Sports Complex on the 5-7th of March. Rhythmic gymnasts from Russia and Georgia will also take part in the tournament along with our leading gymnasts. And it will also be possible to see foreign referees among the judges estimating performances.